1. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 1 Writing Reports and Proposals

2. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 2 Three-Step Writing Process Planning Writing Completing

3. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 3 Audience Adaptation Be sensitive to their needs Build strong relationships Control style and tone

4. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 4 Reports and Proposals Introduction Body sections Closing section

5. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 5 The Introduction Report context Subject or purpose Main ideas Overall tone

6. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 6 The Body Sections Present Analyze Interpret Support

7. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 7 The Closing Section Emphasizes main points Summarizes benefits Reinforces structure

8. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 8 Drafting Report Content Accurate Complete Balanced Clear and logical Documented properly

9. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 9 Report Introduction Authorization Problem/purpose/opportunity Scope Background Sources and methods Definitions Limitations Report organization

10. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 10 Report Body Explanations of problem/opportunity Facts, statistics, and trends Results of studies or investigations Discussion and analysis Advantages, disadvantages, costs, and benefits

11. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 11 Report Body Procedures or steps in a process Methods and approaches Criteria for evaluating options Conclusions and recommendations Supporting reasons for conclusions and recommendations

12. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 12 Report Close Summary of key points Conclusions and recommendations Action plans

13. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 13 Proposal Content The AIDA plan –Solicited proposals –Unsolicited proposals Introduction Body Conclusion

14. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 14 Strategies for Success Demonstrate your knowledge Provide concrete examples Research the competition Prove that your proposal is workable Adopt a “you” attitude Package your proposal attractively

15. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 15 Proposal Introduction Background or statement of problem or opportunity Proposed solution Scope or delimitations Organization

16. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 16 Proposal Body Proposed approach Work plan Statement of qualifications Detailed costs

17. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 17 Proposal Closing Summarizes key points Emphasizes benefits Restates your qualifications Asks for a final decision

18. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 18 Drafting Online Content Build trust with intended audiences Adapt content for global audience Compose web-friendly content Use in a concise, skimmable format Include effective links

19. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 19 Help Readers Find Their Way Headings and subheadings Transitional devices Previews and reviews

20. © Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9eChapter 14 - 20 Technology for Reports and Proposals Templates Linked and embedded documents Electronic forms Electronic documents Multimedia documents