Unlock document.
This document is partially blurred.
Unlock all pages and 1 million more documents.
Get Access
Chapter 10 Lecture Notes ● 7
• Use illustrations to show an item in use.
Figure 10.12--Matching Graphics to Objectives
Figure 10.13--Table Summarizing Precise Data.
Figure 10.14--Vertical Bar Chart
Figure 10.15--Horizontal Bar Chart
Figure 10.16--Grouped Bar Chart
Figure 10.17--Segmented 100 Percent Bar Chart
Figure 10.18--Simple Line Chart
Figure 10.19--Multiple Line Chart
Figure 10.20--Segmented Line (Area) Chart
Figure 10.22--Flowchart
Figure 10.23--Infographic Resume
C. Incorporating Graphics in Reports
• Evaluate the audience.
VI. Understanding Report Components (p. 331)
Parts of a Formal Report
• Prefatory parts (preceding the body of the report)
Title page
• Body components
Introduction or background
Discussion of findings (report body)
Figure 10.24 – Components of Informal and Formal Reports
Figure 10.25 -- Model Formal Report With MLA Citation Format and Alternate
APA Reference List
Chapter 10 Lecture Notes ● 8
Supplementary Lecture
Collaborative Formal Report: Intercultural Communication
North American businesses are expanding into foreign markets with manufacturing plants,
sales offices, and branch offices abroad. Unfortunately, many North Americans have little
knowledge of or experience with people from other cultures. To prepare for participation in
the global marketplace, collect information for a report focused on an Asian, Latin American,
or European country where English is not spoken. Before selecting the country, though,
consult your campus international program for volunteers who are willing to be interviewed.
Your instructor may make advance arrangements seeking international student volunteers.
Supplementary Lecture
Additional Topics for Long Reports and Proposals
These topics are meant to stimulate thinking. You’ll want to discuss with your students the
purpose, scope, length, format, audience, and data sources for each topic. You’ll probably
want to have your students analyze their findings (research), draw conclusions, and make
logical recommendations. Most of the topics need to be limited to some specific aspect of the
major question. (Additional report topics are provided at the student website under “Report
Topics.”)
1. Should employers control the use of personal cell phones in the workplace?
2. Do employee recognition programs really improve employee loyalty?
Chapter 10 Lecture Notes ● 9
9. How do virtual teams collaborate in _____ company or industry?
10. What is the best kayaking experience for newcomers to white-water adventures?
11. How can your community improve its image and attract new businesses?
12. How can your community improve its recycling efforts?
Critical Thinking Discussion Guide
11. In what ways is a proposal similar to a persuasive sales message? (Obj. 1)
Like a persuasive sales message, an effective proposal (a) gets the reader’s attention, (2)
12. Some people say that business reports should not contain footnotes. If you were
writing your first business report and did considerable research, what would you do
about documenting your sources? (Objs. 3, 4, and 6)
Although some people do assert that business reports should never contain documentation,
not revealing one’s sources can be dangerous. The best plan is to seek advice from a
Chapter 10 Lecture Notes ● 10
13. Why do researchers often trust the reliability of information obtained from scholarly
journals, major newspapers, and well-known magazines? Why should researchers
use caution when accessing information from Wikipedia, online forums, and blogs?
(Obj. 3)
Information obtained from professional journals and reputable newspapers and magazines
has generally been authenticated, edited, and reviewed. Professional journals are also
14. Starbucks chief Howard Schultz frowns on research, advertising, and customer
surveys. He conducts his own informal primary research by visiting 25 store
locations a week and talking with his baristas, managers, and customers in person.
This kind of observation, he insists, provides the information he needs most. What
are the pros and cons of such informal research to gather primary data? (Obj. 3)
Schultz’s unconventional strategy is based on an instinct that many entrepreneurs value
because it works for them as they build their companies from scratch. Such firsthand
15. Information graphics, also called infographics, are wildly popular, especially in
online environments. Why do you think infographics continue to receive so much
attention? How could infographics be useful in your field? (Obj. 5)
Infographics have become popular because they often present complex information
clearly and creatively. Engaging infographics (a) grab a reader’s attention; (b)
Chapter 10 Lecture Notes ● 11
Communication Workshop Discussion Guide (p. 354)
Evaluating the Credibility of Web Documents
Authorship
• Who authored this page or article?
• Are the author’s credentials easily found? If not, check the author’s credentials online.
Publisher or Sponsor
• What organization publishes or sponsors this Web page? Is the publisher reputable?
• What domain is used in the URL? The domain name gives clues about who published
Currency
• When was the Web page published or last updated? Readers expect this information at
the bottom of the page.
• Is this a website that requires current, updated information (e.g., science, medicine,
current events)?
• Are all links on this Web page current and working? Broken links are red flags.
Content Quality
• What is the purpose of the Web page? For example, does the page entertain, inform,
persuade, sell, or express satire?
• Who is the intended audience of the page, based on its content, tone, and style?
Chapter 10 Lecture Notes ● 12
Accuracy and Organization
• Does the information appear to be well researched?
• If the site contains statistics and facts, are sources, dates, and/or citations provided?
• Is the information well organized with main points clearly presented?
Career Application: Students are asked to work individually or in teams to visit the listed
Web sites and assess their quality. Some sites are parodies, and the WhiteHouse.org site is a
clever hoax. Students should be able to recognize these. Other sites provide information or
advocate a cause.
Workplace in Focus
Page 306
When government organizations or businesses have a specific need, they prepare a request for
proposal (RFP), a document that specifies their requirements. Government agencies as well as
private businesses use RFPs to solicit competitive bids from vendors. RFPs ensure that bids
are comparable and that funds are awarded fairly. As the Accenture case demonstrates, the
government’s failure to follow the proper bidding process caused the erosion of public
confidence and fostered accusations of cronyism.
Page 333
Conclusions and recommendations are the most important aspects of any report. It is in these
sections that readers learn what the findings mean and what solutions researchers offer.
