Reports

By: Alejandro Serrano, Salem Almarri,

Parshva Jhaveri, Layan Jishi, and Mahmoud
Ashour

Reports
A typical report investigates, describes, and analyses information in a
thorough and logical manner. This information is then presented in a
report format.(Monash University)

"[reports] tangible product of hundreds of hours of work. Rightly or

wrongly, the quality and worth of that work are judged by the quality of
the written report - its clarity, organization and content" (Blake & Bly,
1993: 119).

Structure of Reports
Title Page
Summary (Abstract)
Table of Contents
Introduction
Discussion
(University of Surrey.
Conclusion
)

Before writing a report the writer should...

Research
Follow the appropriate report structure
Document everything
If it isnt documented, it didnt happen
Seek assistance from other experts in the field
(Majmaah University)

Guidelines for a report

Reports should not be biased. They should be objective.
Takes on a specific structure that depends on the type of report
The style [of reports] includes conciseness, simplicity, and
highlighting techniques. It is important to be able to find a good
amount of relevant evidence/information when writing and
structuring (Sims 125).

Objectives of Writing a Report

Supply a record of work accomplished
Record and clarify information for future reference
Present information to a large number of people
Record actions/events encountered
Forecast/Recommended future action

Rhetoric in reports
*Rhetorical situation changes the other rhetorical elements of a report due to change in
content
Structure
Persona
Genre
Tone
Design
Audience

Importance of Exigency
Most reports have exigency due to the findings of new information as
well as the potential impact that this information can have.
The rhetorical situation will alter the audience.

Persona
Tone:
-Usually firm and straight forward.
Examples:
News reports are serious and attempt to be objective
Scientific reports contain a broad, official rhetorical distance and
didactic but not reprimanding.

Overview of Persona/Design
It varies
Key constant points:
Tone and design are consistent with content and subgenre
Economical of words, they [technical report writers] deliberately
avoid nonessential remarks and try to condense their thoughts
into the most compact form they can devise. (Menzel 84)

Audience
Structuring information in writing is more than just outlining, it is
understanding the readers (Sims 123).
-At least a basic level of education
-Demographics vary on content, yet still important to all reports
-Appeals using logos, pathos, and ethos very conveniently

Lets take a look at some examples of

subgenres

News Reports
The lede answers the 5 ws and h
AKA the most important information
The article then contains more information
Eventually quotes
Less important information

Scientific Report Examples

Terms of Reference/Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Appendices
Acknowledgments
Glossary of Technical Terms
(University of Surrey)
IMRAD

Financial Report Examples

Analysis
Future Goals
Current Management
Financial Results
(Chron)

In simpler terms

Background Info -> Objective -> Design -> Results -> Conclusion

Similarities
- Appeal to an audience
-Some form of a title
-Serious tone
-Consistent value of
information
-Documentation of an
occurred event

Differences
-Design
-Language (rhetorical distance)
-Tone
-Intended Audience

Subgenres are still married

Although sub-genres vary, they still have the main points of a report!
Objectives
Rhetorical Devices

Quiz! Yay!
What is the first paragraph of a news report called?
A.Lede/Lead
B.Opening
C.Nut Graph
D.Introduction

A.Lede/Lead

What is the second part of a peer-reviewed scientific report, although

optional?
A.Introduction
B.Table of Contents
C.Kicker
D.Foreword

B. Table of Contents

What is the main purpose of a report?

A.Supply a record of work accomplished
B.Recommended future action
C.Present information to a large number of people
D.All of the above

D. All of the above

Multimodality in Reports
Multimodality isnt essential in reports, however it contributes to
design and overall rhetorical success of reports.
By adding visual to information the reader can interpret information
differently, and more efficiently in some cases.
Different types of reports call for different visuals.

Lets take a (brief) look at a short doc

What did you notice about the

documentary?
Contains an auditory tone (persona)
Introduces the rhetorical situation
Articulates the purpose of the document!

Documentaries as reports
Puts a report in a storytelling environment
Easier for the Audience to understand
Reduces its audience

(vs. paper reports)

Structure of a documentary
Introduction
Conflict
Resolution

Sports Reels

What did you notice about the reel clip?

Graphics/motion
Colorful
Active voice that is appealing to the ear not monotone

Structure of Sports reel

Introduction of the game

Important moments of the game

Ends with the display of the scorecard

Diagrams
Infographics ask for an active response from the viewer, raising the
questions, What am I seeing? and What does it mean? (Krauss 1)
-Visuals that help analyze data and statistics in reports make
information more coherent for the audience.

Bias In Reporting
What is bias? What is the difference between bias and opinion?
Opinion is perfectly valid or we wouldn't have different political
parties or debates on any topics/issues at any level.
Opinion starts turning into bias depending on the context.
Why is it important to avoid bias and recognize it?

Forms Of Bias
Scientific Reports

Impartially selecting sample pools for data analysis.

Statistical bias and asymmetry of information.
Drawing false or inaccurate conclusions by establishing faulty
correlation and causation.

Forms Of Bias
News Reports
Perhaps the most common form of bias.
Misrepresenting the arguments made by someone else.
Arguing against a point someone did not make (Straw Man Fallacy).
Setting up a timeline of events to establish cause and effect.
Excluding unfavorable facts or failing to provide context for them.
Wrenching quotes out of context to cite an authority.

Forms Of Bias
Documentaries
Failing to interview or feature opponents of the argument.
Failing to provide a greater context or omitting materially relevant
information.
Appealing too heavily to emotions thereby to distracting the
audience.

Forms Of Bias
Recognizing Bias
Check the facts. Dont take the author at their word.
Research the author.
Consider the publication that the report appeared in.
Did the author analyze or acknowledge opposing arguments?

Forms Of Bias
Eliminating Bias
Do your homework! Thoroughly research your topic.
Make sure to acknowledge them, and then respond accordingly.
Learn to avoid logical fallacies.
Disbandon any personal opinions or preconceptions.

Assigned Reading
The Role of Compulsive
Texting in Adolescents
Academic Functioning

Work Cited
Bank, Santander. "Annual Report." www.santander.com. Santander, 3 Feb. 2014. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.
Blake, Gary, and Robert W. Bly. The Elements of Technical Writing. New York: Macmillan Pub., 1993. Print.
"Characteristics of a Good Report." Majmaah. Ed. Majmaah University. Majmaah University, n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2015.
<faculty.mu.edu.sa/download.php?fid=24714>
Day in Auschwitz || Amazing Documentary. Digital image. YouTube. USC Shoah Foundation, n.d. Web. 16
Oct. 2015.
Duff, Victoria. "Simplified Structure of an Annual Report." Chron. Hearst Newspapers, n.d. Web. 18 Oct.
2015. <http://smallbusiness.chron.com/simplified-structure-annual-report-75592.html>.
Gerson, Sharon J., and Steven M. Gerson. Technical Writing: Process and Product. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall, 2000. Print.

Work Cited

(continued)

Hasselhorn, Hans-Martin, Bernd Hans Muller, and Peter Tackenberg. NEXT Scientific Report(July.2005.):
Ecobiz. EU, University of Wuppertal, NEXT-Study Coordination, 1 July 2005. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.
Krauss, Jane. "More than Words Can Say: Inforgraphics." Learning & Leading with Technology 39.5 (n.d.):
10-14. EBSCOhost. Web.
Lister-Landman, Kelly M., Sarah E. Domoff, and Eric F. Dubow. "The Role of Compulsive Texting in
Adolescents Academic Functioning."Psychology of Popular Media Culture (2015): n. pag. Web.
Mahony, Donald O. "Comm455/History of Journalism." Comm455History of Journalism RSS. N.p., 2 Dec.
2009. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.
Mahony, Donald O. "Comm455/History of Journalism." Comm455History of Journalism RSS. N.p., 2 Dec.
2009. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.

Work Cited

(continued)

PLC, Barclays Bank. "Annual Report." (2014): n. pag. Barclays, 23 Apr. 2014. Web. 18 Oct. 2015. <
https://www.home.barclays/content/dam/barclayspublic/docs/InvestorRelations/AnnualReports/AR2014/Ba
rclays_PLC_Annual_Report_%202014.pdf
>.
Securities and Exchange Commission. "The Laws That Govern the Securities Industry." Securities and
Exchange Commission, 1 Oct. 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2015. <http://www.sec.gov/about/laws.shtml>.
Support, CALT Learning. "Writing the Report." Monash.neu.edu. Monash University, 27 Feb. 2007. Web. 20 Oct. 2015. <
http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/writing/information-technology/report/1.3.xml>.
University of Surrey. "The Structure of a Report.". University of Surrey, n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.<
http://libweb.surrey.ac.uk/library/skills/writing%20Skills%20Leicester/page_76.htm>
University of Surrey. "The Structure of a Report.". University of Surrey, n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.<
http://libweb.surrey.ac.uk/library/skills/writing%20Skills%20Leicester/page_76.htm>

Work Cited

(continued)

http://a-credit-score.com/the-best-ways-to-be-successful-in-a-credit-report-repair-field-5-gui
delines/
http://en.miui.com/thread-8188-1-1.html
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