Exam 18: Writing Recommendation Reports

In what order should definitions relevant to a report be presented in a glossary?

You are writing a recommendation report on which vendor of audio-visual services to hire for your company's annual conference. The three vendors you considered are Adams, MicMasters, and Zenith. You concluded that Zenith was by far the best option, followed by Adams and then MicMasters, both of which were barely satisfactory. However, you have just learned that the top two managers at Zenith, with whom you met, have left the company. The personal service provided by these managers was a big factor in your positive assessment of the company. What recommendation should you make now?

What fundamental question does the conclusions section of a recommendation report answer?

you must establish your decision criteria before you determine your options for addressing the problem.

The R&D division of Nickelburg Steel has just completed testing to determine the best high-strength, low-alloy steel to use for a project. Of the five steel samples, labeled A, B, C, D, and E, steel samples A and B satisfy the minimum requirements, while samples C and D are just barely acceptable. Steel sample E failed the tests. How should the recommendation section of the formal report to the CEO be written?

Which of these is an example of documentation in a report?

You should always avoid recommending a course of action that is inconsistent with the conclusions you derived.

In the results section of a recommendation report, you should interpret or comment on the data you have compiled.

Which of the following questions would be answered in a feasibility report?

a report does not need a letter of transmittal if the writer and the reader work in the same organization.

If your report presents multiple recommendations, how should you consider presenting them?

What fundamental question does the recommendations section of a recommendation report answer?

You are writing a recommendation report about how to improve the quality of your hotel's customer service. You believe that an online system called Star Service will make your hotel's customer service better. Employees log onto Star Service for 15 minutes every two weeks to watch videos and answer quiz questions. Where should you mention your recommendation to purchase access to Star Service?

What is the purpose of providing back matter in a report?

The back matter section of a recommendation report serves two primary purposes. Identify one.

A feasibility report is an argument that answers three kinds of questions. One kind is questions of possibility. What is one other kind of question?

Jan is a technical writer for Endco, Inc., a company that has just completed a study to determine whether to convert to a more advanced type of server software. Jan is now compiling information for a report that will document the study and will be presented to Endco's CEO, budget director, and operations manager. Jan made a table showing the pros and cons of each of the three brands of software under consideration, along with costs. Endco's Computer Services director also gave Jan his conclusions about each brand and suggestions for what the company ought to do next. Which of the following statements is correct?

the results section of a recommendation report answers the question "What did you see?"

The air-conditioning system of Marcus Department Store has not been adequately cooling the store's first-floor office pod. At this point, the problem is not serious because three large shade trees overhang this portion of the building and ceiling fans provide air circulation. Although slumping sales prohibit any large expenditures at this time, the store's owner still wants to find out the reasons for the cooling failure. Consequently, his staff should conduct a study that would provide which of the following?

Which of the following recommendation statements is NOT effective?