Writing Reports and Proposals Copyright 2010 Pearson Education

Learning Objectives • Explain how to adapt to your audiences when writing reports and

Learning Objectives • List six strategies to strengthen your proposal argument • Identify five

Reports and Proposals • Be sensitive to their needs • Build strong relationships •

Sensing Audience Needs • The “You” attitude • Sense of etiquette • Positive emphasis

Building Relationships • Language • Content • Credibility Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education International

Controlling Style and Tone • Formal and informal tone – Information – Situation –

Composing Reports and Proposals • The introduction: context, subject, purpose, main ideas, and tone

Drafting Report Content • Accurate • Complete • Balanced • Clear and logical •

Report Introduction Authorization Opportunity or Purpose Scope of Coverage Background Sources and Methods Terms

The Report Body • Explanations of problem or opportunity • Facts, statistics, and trends

The Report Body • Procedures or steps in a process • Methods and approaches

The Report Closing • Summary • Conclusions • Recommendations • Action plans Copyright ©

Content of Proposals • The AIDA Plan – Introduction – Body – Closing Copyright

Strategies for Success • Demonstrate your knowledge • Provide concrete examples • Research the

Proposal Introduction • Problem or background • Proposed solution • Scope or delimitations •

The Proposal Body • Proposed solution • Work plan • Qualifications • Detailed costs

The Proposal Closing • Key points • Benefits and merits • Qualifications • Commitment

Drafting Online Content 1. Build trust with intended audiences 2. Adapt content for global

Collaborating on Wikis • Forgo traditional expectations • Edit and improve each other’s work

Three-Step Wiki Process • Creating a wiki • Adding content • Revising content Copyright

Guiding the Readers • Headings and links • Transitional devices • Previews and reviews

Technology for Reports and Proposals • Templates • Embedded and linked documents • Electronic

Slides: 23

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Learning Objectives • Explain how to adapt to your audiences when writing reports and proposals • Name five characteristics of effective report content • List the topics commonly covered in the introduction, body, and close of formal reports Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education International Chapter 14 - 2

Learning Objectives • List six strategies to strengthen your proposal argument • Identify five characteristics of effective writing in online reports • Briefly describe three report elements that can help readers find their way in long documents Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education International Chapter 14 - 3

Composing Reports and Proposals • The introduction: context, subject, purpose, main ideas, and tone • Body sections: presentation, analysis, interpretation, and support • Concluding section: benefits, main points, structure, and action items Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education International Chapter 14 - 8

Report Introduction Authorization Opportunity or Purpose Scope of Coverage Background Sources and Methods Terms and Definitions Limitations Report Organization Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education International Chapter 14 - 10

The Report Body • Explanations of problem or opportunity • Facts, statistics, and trends • Results of studies or investigations • Discussion and analysis of potential actions • Advantages, disadvantages, costs, and Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education International Chapter 14 - 11

The Report Body • Procedures or steps in a process • Methods and approaches • Criteria for evaluating options • Conclusions and recommendations • Support for conclusions and recommendations Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education International Chapter 14 - 12

Strategies for Success • Demonstrate your knowledge • Provide concrete examples • Research the competition • Offer a workable proposal • Relate to needs of the audience • Package your proposal attractively Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education International Chapter 14 - 15

Drafting Online Content 1. Build trust with intended audiences 2. Adapt content for global audience 3. Use in a concise, skimmable format 4. Compose effective links 5. Use search engine optimization Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education International Chapter 14 - 19

Collaborating on Wikis • Forgo traditional expectations • Edit and improve each other’s work • Use templates and formatting options • Apply the appropriate tools • Practice in the “sandbox” Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education International Chapter 14 - 20

Technology for Reports and Proposals • Templates • Embedded and linked documents • Electronic forms • Electronic documents • Multimedia documents • Proposal-writing software Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education International Chapter 14 - 23