Trouble Report

Project 3
Choose one of the types of informal reports discussed in the Handbook - trouble (p. 563), investigative (298), progress (427), or trip report (560)—and create a report based on an article that you find in the business or technology section of a large newspaper such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Economist, Forbes etc.

Turn in the article with your report. The report should be a minimum of 1,000 words (approximately four pages) and a maximum of 1,500 words. Use any visuals you think necessary to help your reader understand the report. Before you write the report, submit to professor Linzer a memo describing your informal report, and include a brief outline. Describe the type of report you will write and provide the following details:
• Who are you as the writer of the report? What is your title? What company
do you work for?
• Who is your reader? What is his or her title? What company does he or
she work for?
• What is the purpose of the report? Why are you writing it?
• How do you expect the reader to use the information provided in the
report? Or, what would you like to happen as a result of your report?

Informal Reports
Trouble Reports: P. 562
• Analyze accidents, equipment failure, and health emergencies.
• Written in memo format.
• What has been done to correct conditions that led to problem (may include recommendations.)
Investigative report: P. 298
• Precise analysis of workplace problem or an issue in response to a need for information.
• Primary and secondary purposes.
• Define scope.
• Report findings and discuss significance.
Progress and Activity P. 427
• Provide details on the tasks completed for major workplace projects.
• Whereas activity reports focus on ongoing work of individual employees, as known as status reports.
• Used for projects that take many steps over a long period of time.
• Costs, Work Completed, Work Scheduled.
Trip Report P. 560
• Provides a permanent record of a business trip and its accomplishments.
• Provides managers with essential information about the results of the trip.
• Body: Why, Who, What.
• Devote section to each activity and include a header. Elaborate on important activities.