Characteristics of a Good Business Report

Since a report is written to give a complete picture ofIf such document is written in the form of a letter, the
a certain problem, it must be comprehensive andusual rules of commercial correspondence should
detailed, and should leave out no relevant information. Ifapply. It should contain the salutation, the complimentary
the executive, to whom it is submitted, has to re-inquireclose, etc. the only difference being that it may contain
for some matter or ask for explanations, then there issub-titles and its paragraphs may be numbered, if
something wanting in the description that the writernecessary.
should have included in the first instance.There is no standard plan for organization of reports.
That the document should be comprehensive andHowever, such file may be composed of the following
detailed does not mean that it should be long andparts:
drawn-out. A good description should have all the- Cover
characteristics of a good business letter and contain- Title page
only relevant matter. The language it uses must be- Contents page
clear and concise; for, a report written in vague,- Letter of Transmittal
confused or muddled phrases will defeat its own- Introduction of preface
purpose.- Table of contents
The report must be written in a certain logical- Table of charts
arrangement of ideas. The best arrangement is to- Summary
proceed from the general to the particular. While- Body of the essay
writing on a particular industry, a general description of- Appendixes
the geography and location must be given before- Bibliography
giving details of the factory building and machinery. As- Index
in all logical arguments, the story must contain a definiteAbove outline is quite adequate for all type of business
conclusion also.reports.