Are Economists Predicting a recession and Inflation in the near future?

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 Table of figures or illustrations (if four or more)
 Executive summary
II – THE REPORT PROPER
 Beginning – Introduction
 Middle – Presentation of research results
– Analysis and discussion
 End – Conclusions and recommendations
 References
 Bibliography (optional)
III – APPENDED PARTS
 Appendices – including copy of proposal and feedback

A formal report is a report with a formal structure. The essential parts are the executive
summary, introduction, discussion and results, conclusions, recommendations and
appendices.

I. PREFATORY PARTS
Title Fly
The title fly of the report contains only the report title. The title is an important feature of
the report. It should provide a window into the subject. Telling words like evaluation,
feasibility, progress, status and impact are useful in the title. It should be specific enough
to give the reader a good idea of what the report will be about but not so long as to become
confusing. The title should be shown on the cover, which may be either plain or
specifically designed for the report. Use large letters to make the title readily visible.
Title Page
The essential elements of the title page are as follows:
 the full title of the report
 the name of the organization for which the report was prepared and the person for
whom the report was prepared
 the name of the originating organization and the name and student number of the
person preparing the report
 the date the report is presented or issued and any other identifying reference such
as a report number.
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The title page should be neat and simply laid out so that the four essential elements are
clearly seen.
Letter of Transmittal
The letter of transmittal is an integral part of the report and is bound with the report inside
its cover. The letter of transmittal is addressed to the person for whom the report was
prepared and is a message from the writer to the reader. Its primary goal is to transmit the
report; however, it is an excellent opportunity to build some goodwill toward the report in
the reader’s mind. This may be accomplished by mentioning the extent of the research, the
expertise it was based on or perhaps some interesting findings. It usually provides a
reference to the reason the report was prepared, the scope of the report and a brief digest.
It may draw attention to specific aspects of interest to the intended reader; give suggestions
for follow-up studies, warnings about limitations of the report, acknowledgements, and
suggestions for immediate action and comments about items of special interest. It should
not exceed one page.
The letter of transmittal should be addressed to the student’s report marker. Because of the
formality of the report, the salutation should read “Dear (Mr., Ms., or Dr.) (Surname).” Be
sure to use the marker’s correct title and be sure that his/her name is spelled correctly. As
well, remember to sign the letter.
Table of Contents
The table of contents serves as a road map for readers and a checklist for the writer. It lists
the prefatory parts, report headings and the appended parts. The table of contents provides
a quick guide to the contents of the report and helps the reader locate specific information
quickly. The headings of each main section and subsection are listed according to the page
on which they begin. Appendices are separated from the other contents and are designated
by numerals or letters, the appropriate title or heading and the page number.
Table of Figures or Illustrations
If the report contains more than four figures or illustrations, a table of figures, separate
from the table of contents, is required.
Executive Summary
The type of summary to use will depend on the audience and the situation. The summary
is placed after the table of contents (or table of illustrations). Like the table of contents and
the table of illustrations, it is given a Roman numeral.
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The summary abstract presents a logical skeleton of the report. Typically the recommendations of the report would be presented in the first paragraph; the rest of the summary would
review the conclusions that led the student to those recommendations without giving
specific results of the research. Normally, most students will use this type of summary.
The executive summary provides a synopsis or digest of the report; it is a stand-alone
document or mini-report. It concisely summarizes all the facts, analyses, conclusions and
recommendations of the report. It is often thought of as the section that can be read by
busy executives who do not have time to read the entire report. It gives them a good idea
of what the report does, and for more detailed information, they can use the table of
contents to direct them to specific sections of the report. However, for the summary to be
complete, readers must be able to understand the report, its conclusions and recommendations, without reading the entire report.
Although the summary is placed at the beginning of the report, it is not prepared until after
the report is written. The summary must stand on its own; it is based on the report and
should not give any information, conclusion or recommendation not stated in the report.
The summary should not cite any references nor refer to any figures or tables. Use the
present tense and the active voice to give the summary a vigorous style.

The summary states what was done, why it was done, how it was done, what was found
out, what was concluded and what is being recommended.

II. THE REPORT PROPER
The Beginning (Introduction)
The purpose of the introduction is to orient the reader toward a better understanding of the
report by providing all the background necessary to comprehend the report. It introduces
the subject, describes the circumstances leading up to the decision to prepare a report on
this subject and presents the reason(s) it was undertaken along with any important
limitations. In determining what is appropriate content, the student should consider all
likely readers. Many reports have a large number of readers with varying backgrounds;
other reports have a long shelf-life. Clearly these reports require some introductory
explanations to prepare the readers.
These are the main components to the Introduction:
 the purpose defines what the report is to achieve; a comprehensive purpose will
outline the research problem and any research objectives
 the background describes the events leading up to the existing situation, what work
has been done on the subject previously and by whom, and why the study or report
is necessary
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 the scope identifies how broad an area the report encompasses. The scope
statement indicates to the reader what is being investigated and what is being
omitted.
 the methodology section should outline the type of information that was needed,
explain how and where the data was gathered, and how the information was used.
If applicable, for Work Term II students, it should identify methods of primary
research such as personal interviews, telephone surveys, focus groups. Indicate
secondary sources of information such as reference books, journals and databanks.
All sources must also be referenced in the body of the report and cited in the
Reference List at the end of the report. If students have included primary research,
this section must also properly address the ethical considerations and comment on
the ethics approval steps taken.
Further, this section should provide documentation of the research and analysis
procedures used during the project. Details should be provided of why difficulties
were encountered and how they were addressed. In particular, if there were any
changes in the methodology utilized from that of the proposal, such changes should
be documented with explanatory rationale. A well-documented methodology
section can considerably enhance the reports credibility.
 the limitations are factors which occur in the investigation and analysis and reduce
the validity and/or reliability of the report’s findings and related conclusions.
The Middle (The Body)
The report body is a logical presentation of the information collected (primary and
secondary), its analysis and interpretation.
This section should deliver a step-by-step view of the process by which the student moves
from introduction to conclusion. It is important to present this information logically. To
keep the writer on track and help readers to follow the inquiry, the report should be
partitioned into topics and sub-topics. The order of subsections and the order of
information within each section will determine how easily the reader will follow the
writer’s argument. Remember that the use of visuals (tables, charts, etc.) will enhance the
communications aspect of the report. The student must decide what the reader is most
interested in knowing, what else the reader needs to know and answer any questions that
may arise. Any interpretations or recommendations will only be as credible as the evidence
that supports them. Be sure that readers can draw conclusions identical to those of the
writer’s on the basis of the presented data.
Once the research data has been presented, the report should provide an indepth discussion
and analysis of the data presented. This must represent the interpretation of what the data
means. Based upon this interpretation, typically students will be able to generate
alternative courses of action. Discussion of the interpretation and generation of alternative
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actions will typically lead to action/implementation plans and conclusions and
recommendations. The body of the report should present these elements in a wellorganized logical sequence. The division of this material into a logical set of headings and
subheadings will considerably enhance reader comprehension.
Documentation is extremely important in this section of the report. Not only does it give
the student’s comments legitimacy, it also assists the reader in distinguishing between
primary and secondary sources of information.
Illustrations belong in the report where the reference occurs. Each should have a number
and title. They should be simple, neat, clear, useful, relevant and easily understood.
Illustrations do not form a separate part of the formal report but are used as required
throughout the report. Illustrations can sometimes provide important information that may
be difficult to portray using writing alone. Illustrations do not replace written text; they
supplement it.
The report writer must decide whether to use an illustration and, if so, what type of
illustration to use and where to locate it. The following guidelines apply:
 illustrations include drawings, figures, tables, sketches, schematics, flow charts,
diagrams, graphs and pictures
 an illustration should be used if it will help the reader understand the material
 each illustration should be numbered sequentially and given an appropriate title or
caption
 the illustration should be simple, neat, clear and easily understood. Large complex
illustrations such as folded drawings or charts belong in an appendix. Downsized
versions of schematics can be placed in the text.
 illustrations intended to assist the reader in understanding the subject belong in the
text as close as possible to the point of reference. The narrative at this point must
refer to the illustration.
 when referring to the illustration at other points in the report give the illustration
title, number and page number on which it occurs
 illustrations should not take a full page. In this way some explanatory text can be
inserted either above or below the illustration on the same page.

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The End (Conclusions/Recommendations)
The report concludes by answering the questions or solving the problems that were
triggered. It should be remembered that the prime purpose of the analytical report is not
only to inform or advise the reader, but also to lead to action.
Conclusions and recommendations are sometimes placed together under the heading
Conclusions and Recommendations. This practice is not recommended because there is a
danger that a conclusion may be taken for a recommendation or that a recommendation
may be stated loosely or weakly.
Conclusions are drawn from the results by applying the criteria or guidelines established
in the main body of the report and the introduction. There should be no surprises for the
reader. Everything presented in the conclusions must have been discussed in previous
sections of the report. That is the function of the body of the report.
Conclusions should meet the following criteria:
 be as brief as possible with the main points drawn from the concluding paragraph
or statement or each section of the discussion
 be presented in descending order of importance
 satisfy the requirements established in the Introduction (background, purpose,
scope)
 never advocate action
 be presented clearly and accurately in a neat format, for example, in point form and
numbered.
Conclusions are logical statements which depend on previous sections of the report for
support. They should be accurate, brief and clear.

The Recommendations section presents the preferred plan of action. Normally several
courses of action are open, each with attendant advantages, disadvantages, costs,
limitations and ramifications. These should have been previously discussed and
conclusions drawn based on the criteria being applied.
Recommendations should meet the following criteria:
 be specific, definite and clearly stated
 be strong and advocate action. Don’t use statements beginning with `I think…’, or
`I feel…’
 satisfy readers’ requirements established in the Introduction
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 follow logically from the conclusions
 be presented in a logical order, e.g., importance, chronologically, functionally.

Recommendations present a definite plan of action in clearly stated terms. They should be
stated in the active voice and follow from the conclusions.
III APPENDED PARTS
References (Works Cited)
The reference section is an orderly list of published material and primary information
gathered on a particular subject. It includes references cited in the body of the paper. The
reference list appears at the end of the report narrative, but before the attachments or
appendices. Students are expected to use APA style referencing.
Bibliography
The bibliography may be thought of as an expanded reference list for further reading. It
includes material that could be used to gain a more complete understanding of the report
topic but has not been cited by you in the reference list. Bibliography entries are not
numbered; they appear in alphabetical order by authors’ names.

Use a bibliography to provide an alphabetical list by author. Do not number the entries.
Appendices
It is a mistaken notion that any piece of information or document not included in the main
body of the report can be included in the appendices. All information provided in an
appendix must be referred to in the report. It cannot simply be included because the report
writer has it available.
Appendices or appendixes (either is correct) may contain large, complex drawings, source
documents, data, specifications, test results, cost comparisons, questionnaires, interview
questions, maps, complex formulae, etc. This information provides broad base support for
what is said in the main body, but the report can be read intelligibly without it. The
following criteria apply:
 appendices appear in the order in which they are first referred to in the report
 appendices are considered to be individual documents; each may be paginated
separately, starting at 1
 each Appendix is given an identifying letter, e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.