Contemporary Business Report Writing

by Kuiper,Shirley

• ISBN13: 9780324401875
• ISBN10: 0324401876
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-02-09
• Publisher: South-Western College Pub

Summary

Master the skills of CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS REPORT WRITING using this step-by-step guide to creating all types of reports, such as a feasibility studies, business plans, and employee manuals. Starting with writing fundamentals, you'll work through the processes of planning and conducting research, then drafting, revising, editing, and producing a simple report. You'll aslo learn presentation techniques and skills you can use to effectively communicate the information contained in your reports.

Table of Contents

Report Characteristics	1	(22)
Learning Objectives	1	(1)
Functions of Business Reports	1	(1)
Characteristics of Effective Reports	2	(8)
Ethical Considerations	10	(5)
Collaborative Writing	15	(1)
Summary	16	(1)
Topics for Discussion	16	(1)
Applications	17	(4)
References	21	(2)
Planning and Writing the Report	23	(32)
Learning Objectives	23	(1)
Planning the Report	24	(13)
Outlining the Report	37	(8)
Drafting, Revising, and Editing the Report	45	(2)
Collaborative Writing	47	(3)
Ethical Considerations	50	(1)
Summary	51	(1)
Topics for Discussion	51	(1)
Applications	52	(2)
References	54	(1)
Writing Style and Lapses	55	(34)
Learning Objectives	55	(1)
Choosing a Writing Style	55	(8)
Frequently Occurring Writing Lapses	63	(19)
Collaborative Writing	82	(1)
Ethical Considerations	83	(1)
Summary	83	(1)
Topics for Discussion	84	(1)
Applications	85	(4)
Formatting the Report	89	(24)
Learning Objectives	89	(1)
Formatting the Report	89	(11)
Principles of Document Design	100	(6)
Using Computer Technology to Improve Report Formats	106	(1)
Collaborative Writing	107	(1)
Ethical Considerations	107	(2)
Topics for Discussion	109	(1)
Applications	110	(2)
Reference	112	(1)
Illustrating the Report	113	(38)
Learning Objectives	113	(1)
Purposes of Visual Aids	113	(3)
Criteria for Effective Visual Aids	116	(5)
Choosing and Constructing Visual Aids	121	(19)
Computer Graphics	140	(2)
Ethical Considerations	142	(1)
Collaborative Writing	143	(2)
Summary	145	(1)
Topics for Discussion	145	(1)
Applications	146	(4)
References	150	(1)
Writing Routine Reports	151	(22)
Learning Objectives	151	(1)
Typical Routine Reports	152	(12)
Ethical Considerations	164	(1)
Summary	164	(1)
Topics for Discussion	164	(1)
Applications	165	(8)
Writing Nonroutine Reports	173	(30)
Learning Objectives	173	(1)
Examples of Nonroutine Reports	173	(18)
Ethical Considerations	191	(1)
Summary	192	(1)
Topics for Discussion	192	(1)
Applications	193	(8)
References	201	(2)
Planning the Research	203	(22)
Learning Objectives	203	(1)
Planning the Research	203	(7)
The Research Proposal	210	(5)
Ethical Considerations	215	(4)
Summary	219	(1)
Topics for Discussion	219	(1)
Applications	220	(5)
Selecting Data Sources	225	(18)
Learning Objectives	225	(1)
Determining Data Sources	225	(2)
Evaluating Data Sources	227	(3)
Sampling Data Sources	230	(2)
Kinds of Samples	232	(4)
Ethical Considerations	236	(1)
Summary	237	(1)
Topics for Discussion	237	(1)
Applications	238	(3)
Reference	241	(2)
Using Secondary Data Sources	243	(28)
Learning Objectives	243	(1)
Locating Secondary Data	244	(10)
Sources for Information on the Web	254	(6)
Evaluating Sources	260	(1)
Extracting Data and Keeping Records	260	(4)
Acknowledging Secondary Sources	264	(1)
Ethical Considerations	264	(2)
Summary	266	(1)
Topics for Discussion	266	(1)
Applications	267	(4)
Using Primary Data Sources	271	(30)
Learning Objectives	271	(1)
Acquiring Primary Data	271	(8)
Preparing Instruments to Collect Primary Data	279	(12)
Ethical Considerations	291	(3)
Summary	294	(1)
Topics for Discussion	294	(1)
Applications	295	(2)
References	297	(4)
Analyzing Data for Complex Reports	301	(28)
Learning Objectives	301	(1)
Qualitative and Quantitative Data	302	(2)
Requirements for Accurate Data Analysis	304	(2)
Data Preparation	306	(4)
Nonstatistical Analysis	310	(1)
Statistical Analysis	311	(5)
Using Statistical Software to Analyze Data	316	(1)
Levels of Data Interpretation	317	(4)
Ethical Considerations	321	(1)
Summary	322	(1)
Topics for Discussion	322	(1)
Applications	323	(5)
References	328	(1)
Documenting Data Sources	329	(16)
Learning Objectives	329	(1)
Why You Should Acknowledge Data Sources	329	(1)
Bibliography and Footnotes	330	(1)
Reference List, Works Cited	330	(8)
Footnotes and Endnotes	338	(1)
In-Text Citations	339	(1)
Standard Abbreviations	340	(1)
Ethical Considerations	341	(1)
Summary	341	(1)
Topics for Discussion	342	(1)
Applications	342	(3)
Writing Business Research Reports	345	(44)
Learning Objectives	345	(1)
Parts of the Formal Business Report	345	(9)
Formatting Guides	354	(2)
Ethical Considerations	356	(1)
Summary	357	(29)
Topics for Discussion	386	(1)
Applications	387	(1)
References	388	(1)
Planning and Delivering an Oral Report	389	(38)
Learning Objectives	389	(1)
Preparing the Presentation	390	(15)
Presenting the Oral Report	405	(7)
Using Presentation Aids	412	(1)
Using Presentation Software	412	(2)
Managing Question-Answer Sessions	414	(3)
Participating in Team Presentations	417	(1)
Participating in Electronic Conferences	418	(1)
Ethical Considerations	419	(2)
Summary	421	(1)
Topics for Discussion	421	(2)
Applications	423	(3)
References	426	(1)
Writing the Business Plan	427	(62)
Learning Objectives	427	(1)
Entrepreneurs and the Business Plan	427	(3)
Components and Contents of a Business Plan	430	(17)
Producing and Presenting the Business Plan	447	(3)
Summary	450	(1)
The KidSmart™ Business Plan	451	(35)
Topics for Discussion	486	(1)
Applications	487	(1)
References	487	(2)
Writing Policies, Procedures, and Instructions	489	(26)
Learning Objectives	489	(1)
Importance of Policies, Procedures, and Instructions	490	(1)
Guides for Policies, Procedures, and Instructions	491	(3)
Employee Manuals	494	(6)
Procedures and Instructions	500	(10)
Ethical Considerations	510	(1)
Summary	511	(1)
Topics for Discussion	511	(1)
Applications	512	(2)
References	514	(1)
Promoting and Raising Funds for Nonprofit Organizations	515	(1)
Learning Objectives	515	(1)
The Nonprofit Arena	516	(1)
Informational Messages	517	(6)
Persuasive Messages	523	(3)
Goodwill Messages	526	(5)
Media Tips	531	(1)
Grant Writing	536	(7)
Administrative Writing	543	(1)
Ethical Considerations	544	(1)
Summary	545	(1)
Topics for Discussion	545	(1)
Applications	546	(2)
References	548