Report Writing & Communication Skills Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of the conclusions section in a report?

To introduce new information and topics

To summarize key points and generalize implications (correct)

To provide detailed background information

To list references in chronological order

Which of the following statements about appendixes is true?

Appendixes must follow the references page without exception.

Appendixes should always be less than one page long.

Appendixes should contain the main findings of the report.

Appendixes can include materials that might distract from the main report. (correct)

What is the acceptable length for the conclusions section of a 10 to 20 page report?

Five to six pages

Two to three pages (correct)

Four to six pages

One page

What should be included on the references page of a report?

All cited information sources in numerical order Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common use of appendixes?

Presenting the abstract of the report Signup and view all the answers

How should sources be listed on the references page?

Numerically by the order they are first cited Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following items would be best suited for an appendix?

Detailed background information Signup and view all the answers

What is a key function of the conclusions section apart from summarizing?

Generalizing the implications of the findings Signup and view all the answers

What type of binding is used for the report mentioned?

Plastic spiral Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following elements should be included on the label for the report cover?

Organization’s name Signup and view all the answers

Where is the page number typically placed in a report?

Bottom center of the page Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of an abstract in a report?

To summarize the report contents Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for the title page of the report?

Colorful illustrations Signup and view all the answers

How many levels of headings should be included in the Table of Contents?

Limit of three levels Signup and view all the answers

What should the executive summary of a report NOT exceed in length?

Three pages Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a descriptive abstract?

An overview of the purpose and report contents Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the transmittal letter in an engineering report?

To provide a cover letter to the recipient Signup and view all the answers

Which paragraph in the transmittal letter focuses on the purposes and contents of the report?

Second paragraph Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a listed component of an engineering report?

Recommendations Section Signup and view all the answers

What is advised about the design of report covers?

They should allow reports to lie open by themselves Signup and view all the answers

What should be included in the last paragraph of the transmittal letter?

Contact information and an invitation for questions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sections comes last in the order of writing an engineering report?

Conclusion Signup and view all the answers

What is recommended to do in the first paragraph of the transmittal letter?

State the name of the report and assigned date Signup and view all the answers

Which part of an engineering report typically includes acknowledgments for help received?

Transmittal Letter Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the introduction in a report?

To prepare the reader for the report. Signup and view all the answers

Which element is NOT included in the body of the report?

Conclusions Signup and view all the answers

What should be the maximum length of the introduction in a 20-page report?

2 pages Signup and view all the answers

How should first-level sections in a report be formatted?

All caps Signup and view all the answers

For reports that are long, how should figures and tables be arranged?

Separate lists for each Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended proportion of the background in the introduction?

1/3 of the introduction Signup and view all the answers

Which component is typically excluded from a report's introduction?

Conclusions drawn from research Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of right-aligning page numbers in a table of contents?

To improve readability. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Course Information

Course: Report Writing & Communication Skills
Course Code: ASUx41
Semester: Fall 2024
University: Ain Shams University
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering
Instructor: Dr. M ElBanna

Report Writing Components

Transmittal letter (cover letter)
Covers and labels
Title page
Page numbering
Executive summary
Table of contents
List of figures and tables
Introduction
Body of the report
Conclusions
References
Appendixes

Transmittal Letter

A cover letter attached to the report or included within
From the report writer to the recipient
Paragraph 1: states the report name (in italics), assigned date, and reasons for the report
Paragraph 2: Focuses on the report's purpose and briefly describes the contents
Paragraph 3: Acknowledges funding or assistance from others, mentions limitations or omissions
Last Paragraph: Expresses hope that the reader finds the report satisfactory and encourages the reader to contact the writer for any questions, comments or concerns.

Cover & Label

Covers: use covers that allow reports to lie open by themselves, plastic spirals, thick cardstock
Labels: print, photocopy, and affix to the cover. The report's title, writer's name, organization's name, and a date.

Title Page

First page after the front cover
Contains: report title, writer's name, organization's name (and logo if available), and date.

Page Numbering

All pages (not covers) are numbered
Title page and first page of introduction are not numbered
Report body is numbered in Arabic numerals except for the pages before the introduction (use lowercase Roman numerals)
Page numbers are in the bottom center of the page.

Abstract & Executive Summary

Abstracts summarize report content
A report may have one or two abstracts for different uses.
Executive Summaries outline key report facts and conclusions.
- Executive summaries should be no longer than three pages.

Shows covered topics and subtopics.
Indicates page numbers for each section
Avoid overcrowding with too many levels of headings
Make sure words in the TOC match the report text
Headings of different levels should be aligned.
Page numbers are right aligned

List of Figures & Tables

Assists in finding figures and tables.
Create separate lists for longer reports
Combining lists for shorter reports.

Introduction

Provides context for the report
Explains its purpose and the intended audience.
Brief overview of the report's contents.
Background information (1/3 of the introduction), if needed, can be moved to another section

Body of the Report

The body contains the report's main text
Includes headings, lists, symbols, numbers, abbreviations, sourced information, graphics, and figures, cross-references.

Conclusions

Summarizes the report's key findings
Generalizes from specific data and conclusions from different discussions and conclusions
Length recommendations: from 100 words to multiple pages, depending on the report length

References

Information sources are listed numerically according to first citation.
Reference data must be at the end of the report.

Appendix (Appendices)

Contains supplementary material (diagrams, tables or extra information).
Distracting to the report's flow but cannot be omitted.
Includes large data tables; big chunks of sample code; fold-out maps; background info that is too basic or too advanced for the main report contents; or large illustrations that do not fit in the report's main body.

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Description

Test your knowledge of report writing components such as the transmittal letter, title page, and executive summary. This quiz covers essential elements that are crucial for effective communication in academic and professional reports. Assess your understanding of structuring and presenting a report effectively.