Report Writing

Report Types

• An internal memorandum is generally considered an informal report.
• A feeder report is prepared to describe how one organization can meet the needs of another.
• An informational report carries objective information from one area of an organization to another.

Report Structures

• A formal report is carefully structured, stresses objectivity and organization, and tends to eliminate personal pronouns.

Report Distribution

• Vertical or lateral reports refer to reports that are distributed up or across the organizational hierarchy.

Report Formats

• A tabular report format is suitable for routine numerical information and is requested by the person authorizing the report.
• A letter report format is common for reports of five or fewer pages directed to outsiders, and may include headings, footnotes, tables, and figures.
• A memo report format is common for short, informal reports distributed within an organization, and uses the 'Date,' 'To,' 'From,' and 'Subject' format.
• A formal report format is common for reports that require a formal approach, run from a few pages to several hundred pages, and need more elements as their length increases.
• A form report format is mainly for 'fill in the blank' reports and deals with routine information, mainly numerical.