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Whether in school or on the job, you must prepare and present reports. Written reports create an image of you—on paper. To achieve the most positive image, written reports must be prepared carefully and presented forcefully. To prepare an excellent report, Clippinger (1995) suggests five equally vital steps that must be taken in the order listed: (1) plan, (2) draft, (3) revise, (4) edit, (5) format. Plan the Report To plan, ask: what is my perpose for writing, and what is the reader’s purpose for reading what I write? The answers become the core of the message. Compose and key the core idea. Then as they come to mind through listening, reading, and thinking, jot (on the computer screen) ideas and facts that are related to the core idea. Next, check the list

Draft the Message To draft or compose the message, pretend that the reader is sitting before you. Write (at the keyboard) as you would talk with the person (level of vocabulary, degree of formality, and so on). Focus on the core of your message as you follow your listed items. Ignore for now such things as grammar, spelling, and style. Complete the entire report in one work session, if possible. If that is not possible, finish at leas a major section without stopping (to gain continuity).