Formal Report Assignment

Prepare a formal report on a topic of your choice, based on the suggested topics in Handout
10.3. This assignment represents the culmination of a semester's work; you can complete it
successfully only if you start early. Check with your instructor periodically as you work on
this assignment.

Research

Your research must include at least three of the following sources:

• Your own knowledge of the subject

• Direct observation of a process, system, or business
• Trade journal articles
• Internet sources
• Books or publications from the college, university, or public library
• Publications from local government agencies
• Government documents
• Other documents (e.g., maps, the Yellow Pages, or special dictionaries)
• Interviews with appropriate individuals on- or off-campus
• Corporate literature (e.g., annual reports, manuals, or brochures)
• Professional publications (e.g., Forbes magazine or Science magazine)

Format of the Report

A formal report is "formal" because it has elements that follow specific formats. Your report
should contain the following elements:

• Cover letter
• Title page (which you must design)
• Executive summary (not to exceed one single-spaced page)
• Body (double-spaced: 9 to 20 pages, depending on the number of figures)
• Figures (at least two illustrations, graphs, or tables)
• References (if three or more printed sources are used)
• Appendixes (if needed)

For each element, use The Business Writer's Handbook as the primary source for format and
style.

Evaluation of the Report

Your report will be graded in three areas (thus it is equivalent to three assignments):

[R] Research/content: information gathered and logic applied

[F] Format/parts: professional look and adherence to instructions
[W] Writing: clarity, coherence, and correctness