CHAPTER 9
SOLUTIONS
Informal Reports
Critical Thinking Discussion Guide
11. How would you determine whether to use the direct strategy or the indirect strategy
for any company report you are writing? (L.O. 1)
Reports that present information without analysis are usually arranged directly. Analytical
12. Why would you want to start your research with secondary data rather than gathering
primary data right away? (L.O. 3)
Secondary data are easier and cheaper to gather than primary data, which might involve
13. How might technology shape business report formats and their delivery in the future?
(L.O. 1–5)
Already, business reports are frequently delivered in a digital format, as presentation
14. How can report writers ensure that they present their topics objectively and credibly?
(L.O. 1–5)
Writers should take pains to present both sides of an issue, not just the option they favor.
15. What are the purposes of headings? Describe three heading types discussed in this
chapter. (L.O. 2)
Good headings are helpful to both the report reader and the report writer. For the reader
they outline the text, highlighting major ideas and categories. They also act as guides for
Activities and Cases
9.1 Informational Report: Recording Information From Your Work Experience (L.O. 4)
9.2 Informational Report: Choosing a Fabulous Company to Work For (L.O. 4)
Caution students about copying and pasting from the Occupational Outlook Handbook. It’s
9.3 Informational Report: Investigating a Career Path (L.O. 4)
Caution students about copying and pasting from the Occupational Outlook
9.4 Summary: Briefing the Boss (L.O. 4)
9.5 Progress Report: A Work in Progress (L.O. 4)
This report gives students an opportunity to create a professional-looking progress report
9.6 Progress Report: Checking In With Your Instructor (L.O. 4)
9.7 Recommendation Report: What Philanthropic Projects Are Trending? (L.O. 5)
9.8 Justification/Recommendation Report: Developing a Social Media Use Policy
(L.O. 5)
Students will find that many companies have developed social media use policies. Some are
9.9 Feasibility Report: Health and Wellness Perks (L.O. 5)
Top companies are offering killer perks to retain and recruit talent. They range from climbing
9.10 Minutes: Taking Notes for a Friend (L.O. 4)
9.11 Meeting Minutes: Team Meeting Notes (L.O. 4)
9.12 Yardstick Report: Choosing a Live Chat Solution (L.O. 5)
Recommendations may vary, but students will enjoy researching and comparing the chat
9.13 Article or Infographic Summary: Current Social Media Marketing Trends (L.O. 4)
9.14 Report Topics for Informal Reports (L.O. 4, 5)
Communication Workshop: Writing in Teams
Best Practices for Highly Successful Team Writing Projects
This Communication Workshop establishes a framework for assigning collaborative projects.
Assessing Individual Performance
• Confidential peer evaluations. These evaluations are an incentive for individuals to perform
according to the expectations of fellow group members. Peer evaluations should focus on
the behaviors of group members rather than their traits.
Assigning Group Grades
Using a combination of group and individual grades increases the likelihood that the grade a
student receives is an accurate reflection of his or her writing ability and contribution to the
group and the assignment. Thus, a student’s grade should be based on the score assigned to
the written report and one or more of the evaluation processes described previously. Using a
combination of evaluations provides a defensible and objective basis for assigning grades.
Some suggestions for using the combined evaluations follow.
• Score the written report and give each group member the same grade. In addition, give a
separate grade for each student’s contribution to the report and to the group process based