Module 24

Long reports are complex and take time to write and organize effectively. The problem-solving report format is a common format in the business world. There are some parts of the long report that can be transferred from the proposal with some revision. The introduction can be revised with the Purpose, Scope, Assumptions, and Methods from the proposal. The bibliography from the proposal can form the references or works cited. A long report should contain: (1) Cover, (2) Title Page, (3) Letter of Transmittal, (4) Table of Contents, (5) List of Illustrations, (6) Executive Summary, and (7) Report Body. Each section has it’s own way to be organized.
When determining whether to use a letter or a memo of transmittal, employees use memos while non-employees should use a letter. The transmittal’s purposes are to transmit the report, to orient the reader to the report, and to build a good image of the report and its writer.
The executive summary informs the reader what the document is about. It summarizes the recommendation and the reason for choosing the recommendation. It should be organized with the main points first, then the supporting points, followed by brief description of the methods used during the research.
A good way to write long reports is to write all headings and mark which ones would be most important to the reader and spend the most time on them. This will prevent spending too much time on sections that aren’t important to the reader.