Chapter 20

1. Chapter 20 Presenting Insights and Findings: Written and Oral Reports

2. The Written Research Report

3. Guidelines for Short Reports Tell reader why you are writing Remind reader of request Write in an expository style Write report and hold for review Attach detailed materials in appendix

4. The Long Research Report

5. Report Modules Prefatory Information Introduction Methodology Findings Conclusions & Recommendations Appendices Bibliography

6. Components: Short Report: Memo or Letter-Style • Introduction • Problem statement • Research objectives • Background • Conclusions • Summary and conclusions • Recommendations

7. Components: Short Report: Technical • Prefatory Information (all) • Introduction (all, plus brief methodology and limitations) • Findings • Conclusions • Appendices

8. Components: Long, Report: Management • Prefatory Information (all) • Introduction (all, plus brief methods and limitations) • Conclusions and Recommendations • Findings • Appendices

9. Components: Long Report: Technical • Prefatory Information • Introduction • Methodology (full, detailed) • Findings • Conclusions • Appendices • Bibliography

10. Sample Findings Page: Tabular

11. Sample Findings Page: Graphical

12. Findings Page Templates

13. Prewriting Concerns What is the report’s purpose? Who will read the report? What are the circumstances? How will the report be used?

14. The Outline • Major Topic Heading • Major subtopic heading • Subtopic • Minor subtopic • Further detail

15. Topic Demand How measured Voluntary error Shipping error Monthly variance Sentence Demand for refrigerators Measured in terms f factory shipments as reported by the U.S. Department of Commerce Error is introduced into year to year comparisons Types of Outlines

16. Grammar and Style Proofreader Results

17. Adjusting Pace Use ample white space Use headings Use visual aids Use italics and underlining Choose words carefully Repeat and summarize Use service words strategically

18. Considerations for Writing Readability Comprehensibility Tone

19. Avoiding Overcrowded Text Use shorter paragraphs Indent or space parts of text Use headings Use bullets

20. Presentation of Statistics Text Semi-tabular Tables Graphics

21. Example of Text Presentation Wal-Mart regained its top rank in the Forbes 500 due to its strong sales performance (11% increase, $351.1 billion). Although Wal-Mart surpassed number-2 ranked Exxon Mobil in sales, Wal-Mart’s profitability ($11.2 billion) was far below that of the oil giant ($39.5 billion).

22. Example: Semi-Tabular Presentation Although Wal-Mart regained the top spot in the Fortune 500, its performance shows signs of weakness in profitability. • Wal-Mart is the largest business in the Fortune 500 with sales increasing more than 11% over last year’s performance. • Oil giant and energy exploration leader Exxon Mobil is the most profitable company in the Fortune 500 due to record crude oil prices increasing its profits to $39.5 billion, compared to $11.2 billion for Wal-Mart.

23. Example of Tabular Presentation

24. Sample Tabular Findings

25. Graphics Presentation

26. Sample Graphics within Report

27. Sample Line Graph

28. Sample Area Chart

29. Sample Pie Charts

30. Sample Bar Chart

31. Pictograph

32. Geographs

33. 3-D Graphs

34. The Oral Report

35. The Oral Report Opening Findings and conclusions Recommendations

36. Presentation Type Extemporaneous Memorized

37. Vocal Do you speak softly? Do you speak too rapidly? Do you vary volume, tone, and rate of speaking? Do you fill pauses (e.g., you know, uhm, ah)? Physical Do you rock back and forth? Do you fiddle with things? Do you stare into space? Do you misuse visuals? Speaker Characteristics

38. Audiovisuals High Tech • Computer-drawn visuals • Computer animation • Computer with embedded video and audio clips

39. Audiovisuals Low Tech • Chalkboard/ Whiteboard • Handouts • Flip charts • Overhead transparencies • Slides