APA style and citations for dummies - Joe Giampalmi 2021
Studying report samples: introduction, body, and conclusion
Perfecting specialized writings: APA reports
Perfecting presentation: beginnings, endings, and other writings
Reports are among the most varied structured writing projects in both business and academic environments. However, reports, like variety among skyscrapers, lack support without a strong foundation.
The organization of reports is designed to present complex information in a simplified format, because some readers are focused on first identifying a specific piece of information. Reports are also designed to display specific pieces of information quickly.
Similar to the structure of almost all academic writing, reports require organization in a beginning (introduction), middle (body), and ending (conclusion). Here’s a look at how that breaks down in writing a report.
Introduction
The introduction (see Figure 17-2) begins the report with an interesting opening, followed by background on the topic. The introduction identifies the topic, its importance, and implication. If applicable, the introduction includes methods, time frame, and limits of the report. The introduction ends with the purpose statement that references the question the report answers.
Body
The body of reports contains the essence of the information. What happened? How did it happen? Why did it happen? It’s also the section of the report that most influences your grade. The body of the report (refer to Figure 17-3 for an example) includes the evidence or findings of the report and identification of those results. Subheadings frequently used in the body include findings and results. See Chapter 14 for formatting APA levels of headings in the body.
© John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
FIGURE 17-2: Model language from a report introduction.
© John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
FIGURE 17-3: Model language from the body of a report.
Conclusion
The conclusion evaluates the report’s answer to the focusing question and justifies the action to be taken. Subheadings frequently used in the conclusion (see Figure 17-4 for an example of a report conclusion) include recommendations and a discussion and analysis of the results. An analysis of the results includes identifying trends, uncertainties, and questions.
© John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
FIGURE 17-4: Model language from the conclusion of a report.