Business reports are usually written to address a problem. So make sure that after you've investigated the problem, gathered your facts and presented your recommendations, you don't create more problems by leaving mistakes in your business report. Get first-class results when writing your business reports by checking your reports in three ways before you hand them in.

1. Is background and introductory information where you'd expect to find it?

2. Are the parts of the report arranged in a coherent, logical order?

3. Is there closure to each major section?

4. Is the information structured from the reader's point of view?

5. Are the headings clear, properly worded and parallel?

6. Is the report one unified, persuasive argument?

7. Is there one strategy to which everything is related?

1. Are the sentences easy to understand?

2. Are technical terms, acronyms and jargon used correctly?

3. Has the writer mistakenly used business and government clichés?

4. Is the proposal concise?

5. Is the level of writing appropriate for the reader?

6. Are there mistakes in grammar, usage, spelling or typing?

7. Are there mistakes in names, titles, dates, costs or other details?

8. Does the writer make excessive use of the passive voice?

9. Is the document wordy (is the writer long in getting to the point)?

1. Is the report neat, professional and easy to read?

2. Has the writer used enough "white space" or too little?

3. What about the margins? Are they standard (1 to 1.5 inches all around)?

4. Has the writer used bullets, numbered lists and sub-headings to guide the reader?

5. Does the report use more than three fonts?

6. What about the sub-headings? Are they well-spaced before and after?

About the author
Alan Sharpe is an executive speech coach and business writing trainer. On-site, online and over the phone, Alan teaches executives and managers how to express themselves clearly, concisely and convincingly using the written and spoken word. Receive a free tip like this each week by subscribing to his public speaking and business writing column, The Confident Communicator.

© 2007 Alan Sharpe.

Source: www.a1articles.com