Transcript Learning Outcomes from Report

Learning Outcomes from ReportWriting Unit
• Understand what makes reports effective
(in general)
• Understand what makes a particular report
effective or ineffective
• Be able to articulate a purpose statement
• Be able to create a report and include its
necessary components
• Be able to engage in critical analysis
Components of Critical Analysis
• Articulate questions
• Search appropriate sources to address
those questions
• Evaluate and interpret your findings
• Articulate your evaluative criteria
• Draw conclusions and make
recommendations
Information vs. Analysis
• An informational report simply relays
information
– No problem to be solved except the need for
more information
– Contextless, audienceless
• An analytical report provides a foundation
for decision-making.
– Who cares about the information in the report?
– Why do they care?
Attributes of Analytical Reports
• Answers the following questions:
– Based on the information gathered about this
issue, what do we know?
– What conclusions can we draw?
– What should we do or not do?
• Analytical reports include
evaluation and lead to
recommendations!
Why are purpose statements
important?
• Provides a “clear focus” for your report
• Allows you to define the content and
organization of the report
• Tells readers how the report will fulfill their
need(s) for information
The format of a purpose statement
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You should articulate your purpose
statement in a single sentence.
– “The purpose of this report is . . .”
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Make reference to the problem you
address in the report
Explain how your report will respond to
the problem
• Canadian geese are interesting birds.
• Canadian geese are interesting birds.
• Canadian geese are remarkable for their
ability to fly and honk simultaneously.
• Canadian geese are interesting birds.
• Canadian geese are remarkable for their
ability to fly and honk simultaneously.
• Canadian geese are causing problems for
cities and golf courses.
• The purpose of this report is to
recommend strategies that cities and golf
courses can take to deal with the problem
of the increasing Canadian geese
population.
Class Activity
• With one or two other people, write two
purpose statements. One statement
should be for an informative report and
one statement should be for an analytical
report.
• MSU parking
• Gage Complex
cafeteria food
• Chronic wasting
disease
• Samuel Alito
• Nutrasweet
• Skateboards and
sidewalks
• Employee
absenteeism
• Green construction
• Dual processor
systems
• Christopher
Columbus
•More . . .
Key words in purpose statements
that indicate an analytical report
Types of analysis
• Causal: Why does X happen?
– Identify problem
– Examine possible causes
– Recommend solutions
• Comparative: Is X or Y Better for Our Purpose?
– Identify the criteria
– Rank the criteria
– Compare items according to the criteria and recommend the best
one
• Feasibility: Is This a Good Idea?
– Consider the strength of supporting reasons
– Consider the strength of opposing reasons
– Weigh the pros and cons and recommend a course of action
Characteristics of Analytical Reports
• Include the problem’s background
• Compare two or more alternative solutions
or courses of action
• Usually leads to recommendations
Procedure of Analysis
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Ask questions
Search the best sources
Evaluate and interpret your findings
Articulate your evaluative criteria
Draw conclusions and make
recommendations
Elements of Analysis
• Clearly identify the problem or goal
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Identify the problem or goal precisely
Define the main question
Define subordinate questions
Develop a purpose statement
• Provide adequate but not excessive data
– Do not confuse the issue with excessive information
• Provide accurate and balanced data
– Avoid stacking evidence to support a preconceived point of view
– Present equivocal findings accurately, then argue for which feature should
receive priority
• Provide fully interpreted data
– Identify what is important and unimportant
– Identify what belongs together and what does not
• Subordinate your personal bias
• Use appropriate visuals
• Draw valid conclusions and recommendations
Feasibility Reports
• Purpose: to assess whether an idea or plan or course
of action is realistic and practical – “how doable is this
idea?”
• Questions
– Is this course of action likely to succeed?
– Why or why not?
– What are the assessment criteria (e.g., cost, safety,
productivity)?
– Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks or risks?
– What are the pros and cons?
– What alternatives do we have?
– Can we get the funding?
– Should we do anything at all? Should we wait?
Recommendation Report
• Purpose: to interpret data, draw conclusions, and
recommend a course of action, usually in response to a
specific problem.
• Questions
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What are the possible courses of action to take?
Which is the best course of action to take?
Which factors are important in making this decision?
What limitations exist that will impact my
recommendation?
An Outline for Analytical Reports
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Introduction
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Definition, Description, and Background
Purpose of the Report, and Intended Audience
Method of Inquiry
Limitations of the Study
Working Definitions (here or in a glossary)
Scope of the Inquiry (topics listed in logical order)
Conclusion(s) of the Inquiry (briefly stated)
Collected Data
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First Topic for Investigation
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Definition
Findings
Interpretation of Findings
Second Topic for Investigation
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First subtopic
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Definition
Findings
Interpretation of findings
Second subtopic (and so on)
Conclusion
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Summary of Findings
Overall Interpretation of Findings (as needed)
Recommendations (as needed and feasible)
More information on analytical
reports: Introduction
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Engage and orient the audience
Provide brief background
Identify your topic’s origin and significance
Define or describe the problem or issue
Explain the report’s purpose
Briefly identify your research methods
Explain data omissions
List working definitions but if you have more than two or
three, place them in a glossary
• List the topics you have researched
• Briefly preview your conclusion
More information on analytical
reports: Body
• Describe and explain your findings
• Present a clear and detailed picture of the
evidence, interpretations, and reasoning
on which you will base your conclusion
• Divide topics into subtopics
• Use informative headings as aids to
navigation
More information on analytical
reports: Conclusion
• Summarize to accurately reflect the body
of the report
• Offer an interpretation consistent with the
findings in the summary
• Present recommendations that are
consistent with the report’s purpose,
evidence, and interpretations.
• Do not offer new facts in the conclusion.