THE FORMAL
REPORT
Definition and Purpose
• Definition: reports formatted in a
professional way to emphasize its
importance or recommendations or
research results.
• formal presentation is key
Traditional Organization
• Traditional is chronological: title page,
table of contents, list of illustrations,
summary or abstract, introduction,
discussion (body), conclusion,
recommendations, appendices,
references
Front Matter
• Letter of transmittal, title page, table of
contents, list of illustrations, summary or
abstract: all material preceding introduction
• Lower case Roman numerals used for page
numbers (iii)
• Place page number at either bottom of page,
center or right
Title Page
• Title should be clear and accurate
reflection of report topic.
• Below the title, place identifying
information: author’s name and job
title, audience’s name, date
Title Page Example
• PROPOSAL FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF A SPOUSAL
EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
• By Henrietta Hasselblad,
Director of Human Resources
Prepared for Dr. Nelson,
Vice-President of Administrative Affairs
Table of Contents
(TOC)
• Lists report sections and their page numbers
• Shows report organization
• Includes all major headings from report,
headings appearing in same format as in the
report
• List no more than three levels of headings
• List only starting page number; do not use
“page” or “p”
• Connect heading to page number with row of
dots (leaders)
TOC Example
Summary………………………………………...iii
Introduction………………………………….1
Conclusion……………………………………...2
Recommendation…………………..........3
Discussion…………………………..............4
Nature of the Problem……………….5
Description of the Program……….6
Costs vs. Benefits………………………..7
Implementation……………………...........8
References………………………………………9
Appendices………………………………………A
i
List of Illustrations
• List both tables and figures, figures
first. If have only one type, change
name to list of tables or list of figures
• Use same label from the graphic:
figure/table #. Title or caption
• Place on page following TOC.
List of Illustrations Example
Figure 1. Implementation Schedule….8
Table 1. Program Features...……………….5
Table 2. Cost/Benefit Analysis...……….7
ii
Outline of Main Report
(Informative) Sections
I.
Introduction
A. Definition, Description, Background
B. Audience/Purpose
C. Method of Inquiry
D. Working definitions (1-4)
E. Scope
Outline of Main Report
Sections
II. Collected Data
A. First main point (ex. History of
problem)
B. Findings and Interpretation
C. Second main point, etc.
III. Conclusion
A. Overall interpretation of findings
B. Recommendations
Back Matter
• Glossary (optional)
– Alphabetical list and definitions of technical
terms (five or more) used in the report
• References
– Alphabetical list of source material, both print and
electronic.
– Documentation style American Psychological
Association (APA)
• Appendices
– Material that is useful to the audience but not
important enough to be in the main report
– Additional graphics, testimonials, questionnaires