Module 10 Instructor's Perspective
Planning and Writing Long, Formal Reports
The Gersons start Chapter 17 by explaining the reasons why you might write a long report and the types of long reports that you might encounter.
The main part of the chapter is devoted to the types of information included in each section of the report and, starting on page 454 (Gerson, 2016) , there is a sample.
As you peruse this chapter, please be sure to study the Long, Formal Report Checklist found on page 452.
Pay close attention to the abstract. I'll be asking you to write an abstract for your proposal that is due next week.
Planning and Writing Proposals
If you ever have to write a proposal, it is likely that you will be writing it to pitch an idea or to solicit money for a special project. The Gersons, however, talk about other reasons and other types of proposals that you might encounter during your career.
Internal Proposals
Internal proposals can take many forms. Figure 19.5, on page 488, shows an example. (Gerson, 2016).
Your book's Proposal Checklist on page 481 calls attention to items, including the following. Check these sections against the proposal to see how they are written:
· Title page
· Cover lette
· Table of contents
· Abstract
· Introduction
· Discussion
· Conclusion and recommendation
· Back matter, such as a glossary and/or an appendix
In addition to these sections, take note of the headings. Personally, I'd like to see more informative headings, but this is an example. Once you become more proficient, you can feel free to improvise.
Note also, the number of visuals. These are a welcome
eak to the large blocks of text.
Headings and visuals are especially important in external proposals, as well, especially those that can run hundreds of pages.
External Proposals
External proposals, however, can take many forms. On page 476, the Gersons also provide a list of sections that you will most probably include in most, if not all, of your proposals.
If you are answering a Request for Proposal (RFP), you'll probably told exactly how to structure your document and even give you a page limit. It's important to follow the directions carefully because, many times, the requesting organization will
eak up your response into sections and distribute each section to a different department. (And, if you fail to comply, your response will be thrown out.)
This Week
This week, you'll have an opportunity to start working on your own proposal.
Reference
Gerson, S.J. and Gerson, S.M XXXXXXXXXXTechnical communication process and product (9th ed.). Pearson Education.
Visual copied from http:
www.tangram.co.uk/images/Information%20Sheet%2012.gif
Module 10 Readings and Materials
This Week's Reading
· During this week and next, please read Chapters 17, 18 and 19 in your Gerson textbook.
Optional Reading and Video
· For examples of abstracts, please view: https:
writing.wisc.edu/handbook/assignments/writing-an-abstract-for-your-research-pape
Links to an external site.
· For more on report writing, please read Writing a Powerful Business Report:https:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq2SDdz1i8ULinks to an external site.
· How to Write a Proposal in 10 Easy Steps: https:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsGBuu88WE0Links to an external site.
· Dr. Roy Clark's "Quick 50 Writing Tools" is worth a look:
https:
www.poynter.org
eporting-editing/2006/fifty-writing-tools-quick-list/Links to an external site.
· Please view this YouTube video from UpWritePress on reports:
The Key Forms of Business Writing: Reports
Module 10
Module 10 Discussion: Proposal Writing Checklist Discussion and Feedback
Assignment 10.1 Proposal Writing Checklist (50 points)
Using the Proposal Checklist found on page 481 of your textbook, list the 3 most important sections of the proposal in order of importance along with a short justification why each is so important.
If you feel the Checklist is missing a section that should be included, please add it to your list and state why it is important.
By Friday, please submit your checklist to the Discussion Thread.
Assignment 10.1A Proposal Checklist Feedback (20 points)
By Sunday, please give feedback to two postings. Do you agree with your colleague's posting? If yes, why? If no, how would you rank the 3 most important sections and why?