Formal Report Exercises
1. Come to class prepared to discuss the following questions:
a. Why should a formal report contain a table of contents?
b. What is the function of a preface in a formal report?
c. When is a descriptive abstract more appropriate than an informative abstract?
d. What types of information should not appear in an abstract?
e. What function do heads perform in a formal report?
f. What is the difference between conclusions and recommendations?
g. What is the difference between a works-cited section and a bibliography?
h. What types of material appear in an appendix?
i. What is the function of a glossary in a formal report?
2. The following exercises are based on the formal report assignment, as explained in the
syllabus.
a. Create a formal topic outline.
b. Convert the outline to a descriptive abstract and an informative abstract; label each
accordingly.
c. Using the outline, create a table of contents for the formal report.
3. Address an internal proposal to your manager recommending a tuition-refund plan for
the company. Present at least three advantages of a tuition-refund plan, in increasing
order of importance.
4. Numerous institutions and firms must dispose of hazardous wastes. For this assignment,
write an unsolicited proposal to a local or national environmental group for funding to
identify the location of active hazardous-waste sites within a five- or ten-mile radius of
your campus. Also, offer to determine the types of waste that are routinely disposed of
at each site. (Enlarge the search area if the suggested radius is too small.)
You do not actually have to conduct the survey, but research the topic in sufficient detail
to make the proposal credible enough to prompt an environmental organization to
seriously consider funding your search. Include an estimated timetable for the survey,
the methodology you plan to use (some or even all sites will be identified in various but
scattered public records), the form in which you will submit the survey to the
organization (e.g., a written report with maps, photographs, or other visuals), and an
estimate of the cost of the survey based on the time and materials required.
5. Locate and read an annual report. (Placement offices, local businesses, and libraries are
good sources.) Critique your example.