Memos are less formal than letters Memo Outline Subject line First line talks about what the subject line it Second line is what the report is going to be about Statement of Scope Preview 12 different publications Works cited page shorter than bibliography Name of author and year of publication for the works cited page Cite it in line Reports and what role they play in business communications Informal Short Reports Report An orderly objective message used to convey information from one organization to another Reports flow vertical upward or downward directed Lateral Travels between units on the same organizational level Formal Report Contains many pages grouped in sections Carefully structured Logically organized Objective Contains much detail Written in an objective style that eliminates such elements such as personal pronouns I you we they our etc Informal Report Usually short 1 3 pages Written in natural or personal language conversational tone Informational Carries objective information from one area of an organization to another Analytical Presents findings of research or analysis Offers suggested solutions to problems if requested Periodic Issued on regularly scheduled dates Functional Serves a specified purpose within a company Justification financial personnel marketing etc Parts of a Report Introduction Orients the reader May include the following information What the topic is Why it is being reported on The scope and limitations of the research Where the information came from An explanation of special terminology A preview of the major sections of the report The Body Presents the information collected and relates it to the topic that was researched Contains various headings The Analysis An analysis of what the report of the information means or how it should be acted upon if requested An informational report ends with a brief summary reviewing the main points presented in the body Includes only material that is discussed in the report Complementary Close Thank the reader for the opportunity Offers further assistance Contact information Referencing Citations In text parenthetical citation Contains abbreviated information within parentheses Author Date