Deck 7: Informal Reports

Question 1

When you have finished your first draft you should take a break and forget about it for a while.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

List three common methods of organizing the body of your report.

Answer 2

order of importance, classification or division, chronological order, spatial order, comparison

Question 3

What is the primary reason for an analytical report?

Answer 3

to help others make a decision; the writer wants to convince the reader of the appropriateness of the analysis and the resulting recommendations or conclusions

Question 4

In an informal report using the direct plan of organization, the key points are placed

A) after the statement of purpose.
B) at the beginning of the report.
C) in a summary paragraph.
D) at the end of the report.

Question 5

Name the three basic sections of an informal report.

Question 6

What section does not need to be included in a short direct-order report?

A) Final summary paragraph
B) Key points (conclusions or recommendations)
C) Purpose
D) Discussion of findings

Question 7

What is a drawback to using the free writing method to overcome writer's block?

Question 8

What is the purpose of a pie chart?

Question 9

At most, how many different fonts should you use in your report?

Question 10

Use features of page layout and typography that are easy to _____.

Question 11

When should your writing be specific in a report?

Question 12

What type of chart is the best for comparing facts at a fixed point in time?

A) Pie chart
B) Line chart or graph
C) Table
D) Bar chart

Question 13

Do analytical reports make recommendations?

Question 14

How can data be distorted by charts and graphs?

Question 15

An analytical report

A) gives factual information.
B) recommends a certain course of action.
C) helps the reader make a decision.
D) does all of the above.

Question 16

When is the dictating method the most useful way to overcome writer's block?

Question 17

What section does not need to be included in an indirect-order report?

A) Key points (conclusions or recommendations)
B) Purpose
C) Discussion of findings
D) Background information on topic

Question 18

List four ways you can avoid personal prejudice in a report.

Question 19

Which of the following is an effective technique for overcoming writer's block?

A) using a spell checker.
B) editing as you write.
C) free writing.
D) doing more research.

Question 20

What are two questions you should ask yourself when determining the subject of your study?

Question 21

A "high-information" heading in a report

A) creates visual impact.
B) consists of a single word.
C) summarizes the contents of that section of the report.
D) does all of the above.

Question 22

The style most commonly used for documenting sources in business documents is _________.

A) MLA
B) APA
C) Chicago
D) none of the above

Question 23

The best method of illustrating complex comparisons of text and data is in _________.

A) a list
B) a pie chart
C) an appendix
D) a table

Question 24

Use the indirect approach for your report if your reader may be

A) unwilling to accept your conclusions.
B) very busy.
C) unfamiliar with your topic.
D) particularly interested in your material.

Question 25

Informal reports are usually relatively ____.

A) short
B) long
C) complex
D) simple

Question 26

A letter of transmittal

A) officially transmits the report to its intended audience.
B) is written in very formal style.
C) outlines the major sources of information.
D) does all of the above.

Question 27

A formal proposal

A) makes a special request on behalf of the writer.
B) shows how the writer can solve a problem or offer a benefit to the reader.
C) uses the indirect approach.
D) outlines the requirements for a job.

Question 28

Name some of the best websites you have used in researching subjects for academic assignments; discuss their strengths as well as any liabilities.

Question 29

An executive summary

A) condenses the main argument of the report.
B) is placed on a separate page.
C) should be only one page long.
D) is all of the above.

Question 30

Informal reports always have what three main parts?

A) opening, body, and conclusions
B) opening, body, and closing
C) opening, conclusions, and recommendations
D) body, conclusions, and closing

Question 31

Define "exception reporting."

Question 32

Discuss an instance of writer's block that you experienced and describe what you did to overcome it.