topic analytical report
DESCRIPTION
This topic introduces the formal or analytical report and its structure.TRANSCRIPT
© 2015 Brian N. Larson Topic: Analytical report Page 1
Topic: Analytical report This topic page includes introductory information, a list of readings, and questions to guide your reading and prepare you for class discussion; it may also include an individual or group assignment, which may or may not be graded.
Introduction An analytical report is the most formal type of report that we will discuss in this class. The term “analytical report” is synonymous for our purposes with the “formal report” in Alred, Brusaw and Oliu (2015). Students in this class will prepare two analytical reports, one as part of a group project early in the semester and one as an individual authors (though relating to a project shared within a group of peer reviewers). The purpose of doing this type of report twice is to give students practice doing the type of DP&TC report that is most difficult in terms of sustained effort and organization. Note, though, that the organization and format you choose in this class may not be available to you in a work situation; there, the organization for which you are working has often already adopted a report format (formally or informally). If you wish to vary from the commonly accepted format in a work context, you must consider the cognitive cost you are imposing on your audience.
Readings for this topic Read the following entries in Alred, Brusaw and Oliu (2015; “ABO”). Pay close attention to the examples:
• “formal reports,” paying particular attention to the example in Figure F-‐5. • “titles” • “abstract” • “executive summary” • “introduction” • “conclusions” • You may want to read some of the other ABO entries that the “formal reports” entry links
to, including “documenting sources,” “appendix,” “bibliography,” etc.
Reading questions As you read about the forma for analytical reports, think about which components of the analytical report might be necessary or appropriate for your current assignment. Which ones might you wait to decide on and why?
Classroom activities for this topic • Think, pair, share:
Assignments for this topic • Usability assessment report (group project) • Final project
© 2015 Brian N. Larson Topic: Analytical report Page 2
Works cited