ASSIGNMENT #2 WRITTEN REPORT = 60 points

The Written Report Has Specific Requirements – Get to Know Them!

The informal report will be on a business topic. See #1 in this packet for topic ideas.

You may consider combining this assignment with a report you may be doing for another business class – if the topic is compatible with BSTEC110. They cannot be the exact same report. Let your instructor know if you are combining the BSTEC110 report with that of another class.

· The written report requirements are as follows:

ü Select the type of report that best matches the report’s content. See pages 365-381.

ü Select the report format – See examples of letter format p313 & 371 or examples of memo format pp 315, 368, 369, 374, 375, 378, 379

ü See pages 314, 376, 380, 381 for page numbering

ü Be sure to address this report to a specific recipient. Who do you see as your audience? Pages 319-320. Your audience will determine whether the report is in memo or letter format.

· Limit your report to three - five tightly written pages.

· Headings are required. . .Headings are required. . .Headings are required. . . Headings are required to organize your material. See pages 364-365.

· Information for the report need not be researched extensively. Write about something you know about or can easily find out about.

· Avoid plagiarizing – use your own words when you summarize information you’ve researched or found on the Internet. If you do use another’s words or information from a source refer to pages 376 and C-5 for how to properly cite your sources using MLA format. Also see pp 334-337 “Documenting Data.”

Consider the Report Basics

Informational reports, their purpose and structure, are described in Chapters 11, 12.

Pay considerable attention to addressing your report to a specific recipient in a businesslike way. Who wants the information and for what purpose?

Use critical thinking to apply appropriate tone and organization as you focus your information. All reports have three separate parts – introduction, body, and conclusion:

ü Introduction – explain to the recipient the purpose of the report.

ü Body – arrange headings and information to serve the recipient’s needs.

ü Conclusion – sum up the main point of the report and invite the recipient’s response and/or action on the report contents.

See page 131 for diagrams of the major components of various types of reports.

WRITTEN REPORT – DUE DATES

Rough Drafts are due as follows: RD#1 Tuesday 8/17

and RD #2 Thursday 8/19

The final draft of your written report is due in class the same day as your oral presentation – no exceptions. . . 50% will be deducted off the top of the earned grade if it is submitted after class on the due date . . . no exceptions. The later the report is submitted after the due date the higher the percentage deduction.