TABLE 18.1 ELEMENTS OF A TYPICAL REPORT
SECTION OF THE REPORT PURPOSES OF THE SECTION TYPICAL ELEMENTS IN THE SECTION
Front matter
  • to orient the reader to the subject
  • to provide summaries for technical and managerial readers
  • to help readers navigate the report
  • to help readers decide whether to read the document
  • letter of transmittal
  • cover
  • title page
  • abstract
  • table of contents
  • list of illustrations
  • executive summary
Body
  • to provide the most comprehensive account of the project, from the problem or opportunity that motivated it to the methods and the most important findings
  • introduction
  • methods
  • results
  • conclusions
  • recommendations
Back matter
  • to present supplementary information, such as more-detailed explanations than are provided in the body
  • to enable readers to consult the secondary sources the writers used
  • glossary
  • list of symbols
  • references
  • appendixes