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Chapter 58. RECOMMENDATION REPORT
Introduction to
Recommendation Reporting ---
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Welcome!
This introductory page offers a simple, brief summary. For more, go to "Basics" and
to "Sample Papers" by
students. If you understand this type of paper already or want to explore it in
more depth, you might prefer to read "Advanced
Methods." All five web pages of this chapter are listed in the
right-hand column--simply click on the page you want to see.
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Recommendation reports are different from
proposals and simple reports. Proposals only suggest one product or action, and
simple reports offer descriptions of details or progress. Recommendation
reports, however, discuss differing solutions to a problem.
We can compare the three types of papers to a
trip to a store. Simple reports are like going to the store and simply looking
at what is there; proposals are like shopping for one product and buying it;
recommendation reports, however, are like going to the store because of a
problem, then comparison shopping for the best product to solve your problem.
When do you need a recommendation report? You
need it when you have a problem or need, and the solution or answer is not
simple. If there really is only one simple answer to your need or problem, you
can easily express this answer by writing a proposal. However, if what you
actually need is a thorough examination of several competing solutions, a
recommendation report can help you and your readers sift through the evidence
and make rational choices.
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Writer's Goal or Assignment |
The Problem
In professional work, businesses and people must
make changes and try new methods. However, in larger operations or in those in
which a thorough review of several possibilities needs to be shown to a group of
stakeholders, a method of evaluating multiple solutions needs to be used.
The Assignment
Recommendation something new--a real or imaginary
project--that should be adopted by the audience. The audience for this proposal
is a real or imaginary business, group, or supervisor who has the power to
accept the proposal.
Discuss (1) the need or background in the
business, (2) several possible solutions, (3) excellent criteria for evaluating
the possible solutions, (4) the application of the criteria to the possible
solutions, and the final choice(s). Develop these parts
with at least three four divisions of at least two paragraphs each.
The recommendation report also should have an introduction
and a conclusion that summarize, should be written in standard essay or
profesisonal
letter form, and may or should include quotations, paraphrases, illustrations,
graphics, et al. Be sure to cite your sources for such details in your
paper, and document them at the end in a bibliography (or in some systems, with
footnotes or in-text notes).
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Here is a typical structure or organization for a
Recommendation Report. More development of this structure is shown in the "Basics"
section.
Organization of a Recommendation Report
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TYPE
OF PAPER, PROBLEM, POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS, & FINAL CHOICE |
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(A Parag.
Summary/Abstract
--and/or a Parag. on Final Recommendation--as Needed or Required)
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Section 1: Problem
or Need
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Section 2: Possible Solutions &
Evaluative Criteria
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Section 3: Evaluation (Application
of Criteria to Solutions)
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Section 4: Final Choice
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(If needed: Your Credentials
AND/OR
Expected Outcomes of Implementation)
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BRIEF RESTATEMENT
OF PROBLEM, POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS, & FINAL CHOICE |
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Bibliography
[if Needed]
Bitson, A.J. Book. et al.
Jones, D. L. "Chart," et al.
Smith, M. S. "Diagram," et al.
Zamura, R.F. "Personal Interview," et al. |
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A "focus" in writing helps you at any given moment
to concentrate on writing. Here are several helpful, important focuses
people use to develop a recommendation report.
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SUBJECT:
For a recommendation report, brainstorm a list of background-information
details so everything useful is included. Also brainstorm a number of
possible solutions, even unusual or strange ones. And brainstorm a
variety of evaluative criteria, as well. It is better to start with
too much and then delete some of it than to start--and keep--too little.
In addition, can you write about your subject fully and logically?
What is the specific method of problem solving you propose? Will
your audience find your problem and solution appropriate and interesting? |
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FIRST
& SECOND DRAFTS:
Start with one or two methods that work best for you, but develop the
others in later drafts.
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Free-write: write as much as you
can quickly on what you know or have collected about your subject or
its parts.
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Gather details: write descriptions
or a list of the proofs you have for your materials--facts in the form
of charts, lists, or diagrams; as quotations,
and/or from reports of people's experiences that can be validated
independently.
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Write for your audience: visualize
it. What facts and/or ideas is it willing to consider, in what
style or tone, and with what kind of organizational presentation?
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Organize: make an outline using the
structure
above or whatever structure your instructor suggests.
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Research:
if required, mix
research of
your paper with the above methods to develop a first draft before, during,
or after your
research. Be sure to use proper citation and documentation for every
source, even for charts and diagrams, illustrations/images, and
personal-experience anecdotes.
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STYLE,
TONE, and WRITER'S ROLE: Develop (in early or late drafts) a
professional style and tone of efficient, interested, reasoned, fair logic.
In your role as a writer, you should sound business like and positive, and
present potential or real problems constructively, discussing how they will
be fixed. |
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AUTHENTICITY: Be honest and provide as
much full disclosure as possible about potential problems and needs;
however, do not over-emphasize them nor discuss typical problems that are
easily resolved. It may be useful, even good, to mention at
least one or two minor difficulties and how they are resolved; this is
authentic in that it allows your readers to see that you have considered
problems rather than avoided them.
Otherwise, present your material
with the clear intent to inform fully, realistically, and logically.
Consider your audience's needs and interests in order to serve them
properly. In addition, if possible, develop an interest in the
project (if you have not already done so), such that it is a meaningful
event in the company to you, even as you maintain a
professional attitude about it. |
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