CHAPTER 9 (1-32)

Reports in today's business environment range widely in length and purpose, help organizations sift through data and make decisions, and _______.

• can be delivered orally or digitally

• should never be stored on cloud servers off-site for security purposes

• are nevertheless becoming obsolete

• are used strictly for providing information

Reports that present data without analysis or recommendations are _______.

• informational reports

• analytical reports

• cost-benefit analysis reports

• justification reports

Which of the following should be written as an informational report?

• A recommendation from the Information Technology Department that your company install a wireless network

• A feasibility study addressing possible tuition reimbursement for employees

• A comparison of five handheld communication devices that your company might purchase

• A summary of information presented at a recent conference for technical writers

Reports that provide data or findings with analyses and conclusions are _______.

• informational reports

• analytical reports

• summaries

• progress reports

Which of the following reports is an example of an analytical report?

• A report summarizing the details of a recent seminar you attended

• A report recommending an antiterrorism security system for mass transit

• A report outlining the new company procedure for reporting workplace injuries

• A report showing state budget allocations for education

The direct strategy of organization is appropriate for a business report when readers _______.

• need to be educated

• must be persuaded

• are informed

• may be disappointed or hostile

When you organize an informational report directly, in what order should the ideas be presented?

• Introduction/background, facts/findings, and summary

• Introduction/background, summary, and facts/findings

• Summary, introduction/background, and facts/findings

• The direct strategy presents ideas in any order for maximum effectiveness and flexibility.

The indirect strategy of organization is appropriate for a business report when readers _______.

• are supportive of the topic

• must be persuaded

• are familiar with the topic

• want to know the results immediately

When you organize an analytical report indirectly, in what order should the ideas be presented?

• Introduction/problem, conclusions/recommendations, facts/findings, and discussion/analysis

• Introduction/background, facts/findings, and summary

• Introduction/problem, facts/findings, discussion/analysis, and conclusions/recommendations

• The indirect strategy does not follow a set order of ideas

An informal writing style includes _______.

• contractions (for example, wouldn't, don't, they're)

• second-person pronouns (for example, you and your)

• mainly passive-voice verbs

• longer sentences