After collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to draw conclusions and make recommendations, you are ready to organize your report into a logical framework. Apply an appropriate organizational strategy to your data and provide cues to your readers to help them follow the logic of the report.

1. You are writing an analytical report for a supervisor who needs to be persuaded. You decide to use (an indirect / a direct) organizational approach to present your recommendations.

2. When should you organize your report by time?

When writing reports that are organized by components such as location, geography, and division

When writing reports that follow a prescribed plan that everyone understands

When writing reports that establish a chronology of events

3. When should you organize your report by importance?

When writing reports that evaluate choices or plans

When writing reports that establish a chronology of events

When writing reports that should begin with the most important item and proceed to the least important

Consider the scenario, and then answer the question.

Joseph is writing a report comparing the retirement plans of five investment companies.

4. What type of organizational method should he use?

Time

Importance

Criteria

In addition to organizing your data effectively, you should provide your readers cues to prevent them from getting lost in your report. Know how to use introductions, transitions, and headings to guide your audience and to enhance reader comprehension.

Consider the scenario, and then answer the question.

You are writing a report tracing the construction of a new office site. You want to include several transitions between your points that present additional thoughts.

5. What words can you use? Check all that apply.

Again

However

Additionally

Also

After