Index

1. Why It Matters

1.1 The Negative Impact of Poor Writing

1.1.1 Dissatisfies Clients

1.1.2 Wastes Time and Effort

1.2 How This Resource can Help You

1.2.1 Good Writing Leads to Success

1.2.2 Using This Resource

2. Research Report

2.1 Process for Creating a Research Report

2.1.1 Translate

2.1.2 Collect & Analyze Data

2.1.3 Organize Findings

2.1.4 Inform Your Reader

2.2 Report Content

2.2.1 Report Content

2.2.2 Purpose of Sections

2.3 Content Sections

2.3.1 Cover Page

2.3.2 Executive Summary

2.3.3 Table of Contents

2.3.4 Background

2.3.5 Problem/ Opportunity

2.3.6 Research Objectives

2.3.7 Action Standard

2.3.8 Research Method

2.3.9 Research Results

2.3.10 Managerial Implications

2.3.11 Appendices

2.3.12 Acknowledge Sources

2.4 Choosing Software

3. Plain English Writing

3.1 Write for Your Reader

3.2 Write Accurately

3.3 Write Clearly

3.3.1 Natural Word Order

3.3.2 Buzzwords

3.4 Write Concisely

3.5 Write Precisely

3.5.1 Choose Words Carefully

3.5.2 Write Explicitly

4. Using Numbers

4.1 Be Precise

4.1.1 Choosing Words or Numbers

4.1.2 Using Terms

4.1.3 Define Units of Measure

4.1.4 How Precise?

4.2 Put Numbers into Context

4.3 Translate Analysis into Plain English

4.4 Define Significance and Importance

4.5 Improve Usefulness

4.6 Style Rules

5. Using Graphics

What is A Graphic?

Charts, or Graphics?

Example Table

Example Bar Chart

Example Line Graph

5.1 Purpose of Graphics

5.2 Choose the Best Graphic: Charts, Graphs and Tables

5.3 Focus on the Data not the Design

5.3.1 Data is Your Message

5.3.2 Video: Choosing the Right Style

5.4 Names for Parts of a Graph or Chart

5.5 Clean Up & Focus Your Charts On the Task

 

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