Superstructures for Various Report Types

Superstructures for Various Report Types[1]

Submitted to: ENGL 3100 Students

Submitted by: Dr. Shelley Thomas

Date:March 30, 2011

Report types vary depending on the type of information presented. This report contains superstructures for a general report, an empirical research report, a feasibility study, and a progress report. Each of these superstructures anticipates readers’ questions.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations

Abstract

This is where the abstract goes. If it were a real abstract, it would provide the audience a glimpse of the contents of this report (in about 100 words or 10 lines of typed text).

General Superstructure for Reports

Figure 1: Books

Report ElementReaders' Question

IntroductionWhat will we gain by reading your report?

Method of Obtaining FactsAre your facts reliable?

FactsWhat do you know that is useful to us?

DiscussionHow do you interpret the facts from our point of view?

ConclusionsHow are those facts significant to us?

RecommendationsWhat do you think we should do?

Rationale (General)

This report structure fits most situations for writing reports.

Empirical Research Report Superstructure

Report ElementReaders' Question

IntroductionWhy is your research important to us?

Objectives of the ResearchWhat were you trying to find out?

MethodWas your research method sound?

ResultsWhat results did your research produce?

DiscussionHow do you interpret those results?

Figure 2: Discussion

ConclusionsWhat is the significance of those results?

RecommendationsWhat do you think we should do?

Rationale (Empirical)

This report structure presents research through observation and experiments.

Feasibility Report Superstructure

Report ElementReaders' Question

IntroductionWhy should we consider these alternatives?

CriteriaAre your criteria reasonable and appropriate?

Figure 3: Criteria

Method of Obtaining FactsAre your facts reliable?

Overview of AlternativesWhat are the important features of the alternatives?

EvaluationHow do the alternatives stack up against your criteria?

ConclusionsWhat conclusions do you draw about the alternatives?

RecommendationsWhat do you think we should do?

Rationale (Feasibility)

This report structure helps researchers investigate the best approach for solving a problem or realizing an opportunity.

Progress Report Superstructure

Figure 4: Progress

Report ElementReaders' Question

IntroductionWhat work does your report cover?

What is the purpose of the work?

Facts and Discussion

Past WorkIs your work progressing as planned or expected?

What results have you produced?

Future WorkWhat progress do you expect during the next reporting period?

Conclusions(In long reports: How do things stand overall?)

RecommendationsWhat do you think we should do?

Rationale (Progress)

Regular status reports keep the client or supervisor updated on projects.

[1] Based on Paul V. Anderson’s Technical Communication: A Reader-Centered Approach.