How To Write A Business Report Activities

<RXU*XLGHWR:ULWLQJ
%XVLQHVV5HSRUWV
Business Studies

7KLV*XLGHEHORQJVWRBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB

([HFXWLYH6XPPDU\
,QWURGXFWLRQ
What is a Business Report?
Why use Business Report Format?
Types of Reports and when to use them
The Structure of this Guide
Syllabus Outcomes Addressed
6WHS([DPSOHVRI%XVLQHVV5HSRUWV
6WHS)LQGLQJ%XVLQHVV5HSRUWV2QOLQH
6WHS)HDWXUHVRID%XVLQHVV5HSRUW
6WHS7KH4XHVWLRQ
6WHS3XWWLQJLWWRJHWKHU6WUXFWXUH
6WHS3XWWLQJLWWRJHWKHU$6DPSOH
6WHS:ULWLQJD5HSRUW
6WHS2Q\RXURZQWKLVWLPH

Note: This guide was produced by David Browne © 2006.

Welcome to Business Studies. Over the next 2 years you will be using the
“Business Report” text type for much of your written work. This guide is
designed to assist you become familiar with the process of writing a
business report and is itself a model of an extended report.
We will work through the activities in class. The guide uses content in the
Preliminary Topic 1: Nature of Business with a number of activities based
around content from this part of the course. We will use the guide at
various points throughout this first topic (ie, you will not spend 10
consecutives lessons on it – the activities are spread out).
The last activity requires you to write a full Business Report response
covering the entire topic: Nature of Business.

Symbols and Icons
Something to think about – answer my questions if you

can.
Syllabus Topic Area: So you know where this content fits

in to the course
Tips and Advice, to help you along the way
Activity: Yes! You actually have to GR things in this book.

What is a Business Report?
Generally, an information report identifies then classifies and/or describes the features
of something. A business report identifies and describes a particular business situation
and, typically, uses this information to support recommendations or proposals. The
business report has very distinct and specific features that distinguish it from other
writing. Some combination of these features must be present in your report writing and
are examined in detail in this guide.

Why use Business Report Format?

There are two reasons to use the report format. Firstly, report format is the standard
written form in business. Since you are learning about business, you need to know how
to write in the style of business. This is DQHVVHQWLDOOLWHUDF\VNLOO
Secondly, the HSC Business Studies syllabus requires that students effectively use the
business report format throughout the course. <RXZLOOEHDVVHVVHGRQLW There are
several specific references to report format in the syllabus:
x 6\OODEXV2XWFRPHV(Page 11 and throughout)

“P 5.2 / H5.2 [The student] plans and conducts an investigation into
business to present the findings in an appropriate business format.”

x 3UHOLPLQDU\7RSLF.H\%XVLQHVV)XQFWLRQV (Page 16)
“Students …prepare and present an individual or group report on the key
functions of a business.”

x %XVLQHVV5HVHDUFK7DVN(Page 23)
“Student research findings should be presented in a report format… The
Small Business Plan should be presented in a report format.”

x +6&([WHUQDO([DPLQDWLRQ6SHFLILFDWLRQV+6&6HFWLRQ,,, (Page 44)
“This section comprises ONE question that requires an answer in a
business report format. This question will incorporate elements from two
or three of the topics in the HSC course.”
Types of Reports and when to use them I wonder what
style of
Types report this
You will need to decide how to present your report. There are 2 Guide is?
options:1
x &RQVHUYDWLYH6W\OH
x .H\3RLQW6W\OH
Conservative style is best for you if you are good at writing
complex essays and are not comfortable with using all of the
visual features of reports (such as highlighting words, diagrams,
graphs, etc). You should still try to include some visual features
in this style.
Key Point style utilises all (or many) of the report writing
features discussed below and is thus more overtly “report-looking”. Students using this
style should be sure that all features used contribute to the meaning of the report. That
is, they should all have a purpose and not just be used for their own sake.2
There is no “best” style of report, your choice depends entirely on what you feel most
comfortable with.
When
Throughout the Business Studies course, you will write reports for:
x Assessment Tasks
x Major Business Plan
x Exam Reports
The Structure of this Guide

This guide will lead you through the process of writing a business report. You will
complete a number of activities that will introduce the components of the business
report format. The activities are based around the ILUVWWRSLFRI%XVLQHVV6WXGLHV7KH
,PSRUWDQFHRI%XVLQHVV.
At the completion of the Guide, you will be able to answer an extended response
question in business report format without assistance.
Syllabus Outcomes Addressed

By the time you complete this guide, you should be able to:
x write an extended response in the business report format (P5.3);
x describe the nature of business and its role in society (P1.1);
x explain business responsibilities to internal and external stakeholders (P3.2);
x appreciate various values and attitudes about the role of business in society.
This guide does not try to cover the entire “Importance of Business” topic. Your
activities in class will form the bulk of work, this guide supplements that work.

Activity
5HIHUWRWKH%XVLQHVV5HSRUWERRNOHWSURYLGHG
DQGDQVZHUWKHIROORZLQJTXHVWLRQV

Tick the features that are evident in the Report:
Headings
Bullet Points
Graphs
Tables
Photographs or graphics
Technical language (ie, meta-
language)
Highlighted (bolded) key terms
A clear strong opening
statement
Financial data (ie, numbers and
percentages) within the text
Would you include these things in an essay? BBBBB
What does the above list tell you about the important features of business
reports?BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
What groups of people (ie, general categories) does the report refer to?
Companies encourage shareholders to

take the annual report in electronic
format instead of printing them on
paper. I wonder why? Could this be
related to their social responsibilities?

7RSLF7KH
1DWXUHRI%XVLQHVV
Activity %\WKHHQGRI6WHS
)LQGDQQXDOUHSRUWVIRUWKHILQDQFLDO \RXVKRXOGEHDEOHWR
\HDU:ULWHWKHFRPSDQ\QDPHVEHORZ research business
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB information online
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB and understand its
purpose.

)LQGWKHLQWURGXFWLRQLWPLJKWEHFDOOHGDQ
H[HFXWLYHVXPPDU\:KDWLVLWFDOOHG"+RZ
ORQJLVLW"
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB

+RZORQJLVWKHZKROHUHSRUW"
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB

'LGWKHFRPSDQ\PDNHDSURILWLQDQG
",IVRKRZPXFKZDVLW"
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB

'RHVWKHFRPSDQ\RXWOLQHDQ\FKDOOHQJHVWKDWPXVWEHRYHUFRPHLQWKH
IXWXUH"
:KDWVWDNHKROGHUVLIDQ\FDQ\RXLGHQWLI\LQWKLVEXVLQHVV"

Activity
7KHWH[WLQ%R[H[SODLQVWKHNH\IHDWXUHVRIDEXVLQHVVUHSRUW%87
LWLVQRWZULWWHQLQUHSRUWIRUPDW5HDGWKHLQIRUPDWLRQYHU\FDUHIXOO\

%R[ Business Reports are really great and I really like them because they
don’t get distracted and go on and on about irrelevant things, they just state
information clearly and succinctly, which is really useful for business people so

business people really like them and generally always use them. The report format

uses 3 main groups of features: structural features, language features, visual
features. All reports written for the HSC should contain some of each of these
features. Structural features that reports use include headings, a synopsis or

executive summary, a clear and direct opening sentence to begin the report and
they only ever put 1 idea per paragraph. The language features are pretty easy to
list and I usually describe them by saying that reports will generally use present

tense, objective, evidence based conclusions (which means they are not

imaginative or speculative and they don’t use personal opinion). They use concise
phrasing, non-personal pronouns (so they avoid using “I”, “me”, “my” etc), use
appropriate meta-language and have a professional “tone”. A really interesting
way of distinguishing Reports from other text-types is that they use diagrams and
graphs and other non-text features. These non-text features allow lots of
information to be communicated in a simple and clear manner. Examples of visual
features are graphs, diagrams, flow charts, mind-maps, tables, or calculations.
Some professional reports KLJKOLJKWNH\WHUPV and use photographs or
illustrations.
This requires lots of BRAIN POWER. I can’t

do it, but you can! You need to read the text
in Box 1 so that you understand. This is
called “reading for meaning”. Once you know
what it is saying, you should be able to use
that understanding to help you draw your
mind-map and write your paragraph.
Activity
)LQLVKWKLV0LQG0DSRIWKHLQIRUPDWLRQDERYH
)HDWXUHVRI%XVLQHVV
5HSRUW)RUPDW
Which of the “structural”

features could also be
“language” features?
Activity8VLQJWKHLQIRUPDWLRQLQ%R[DQGWKH0LQG0DSWRJXLGH
\RXUHZULWHWKHWH[WLQ%R[XVLQJUHSRUWIRUPDW

Activity: Language Features

&RPSOHWHWKHIROORZLQJWDEOHRIODQJXDJHIHDWXUHVVHHWKHKLQWV
EHORZ

5HSRUWVXVH« ZKLFKPHDQV« ZKLFKPLJKWORRNOLNH«
Present Tense action
verbs
Objective, evidence
based conclusions
Concise phrasing
Metalanguage
Non-personal
pronouns
General classes of
things discussed
Each paragraph starts [see the hint below]
with topic sentence
One idea per
paragraph

7U\PDWFKLQJXSWKHVHZRUGVIRUWKH³ZKLFKPHDQV«´
FROXPQ “being, having and doing words”; using examples to
support your recommendations; getting to the point in short clear
sentences; technical words related to business; avoid using “I”; talk
about groups or people, not individuals; short paragraphs, keep it
simple.
7U\PDWFKLQJXSWKHVHZRUGVIRUWKH³ZKLFKORRNVOLNH«´
FROXPQ³growing profits” or “falling costs”; “The figures
discussed above support the conclusion that…”; Short sentences.
1 idea per sentence (see next page); Consumers, customers,
shareholders, community groups; “this report recommends”
(instead of “I recommend”); short paragraphs
Activity: Meta-Language Focus
%R[H[SODLQVWKHVRFLDODQGHFRQRPLFUROHVRIEXVLQHVV%87LWXVHVYHU\
LQIRUPDOODQJXDJH2QWKHRSSRVLWHSDJHOLVWWKHIRUPDOPHWDODQJXDJHWKDWFDQ
EHXVHGLQVWHDGRIWKHLQIRUPDOODQJXDJHEHORZ
%2;
Business has both economic and social roles in society. Economic and

social
roles are important both inside the businesses and outside the business.
economic roles of business include making things or doing things, paying people
The

to
work, making money for the people who own the company and these features are
most well known parts of the role of business. These roles are generally thought to
the

be
“internal” to the business. Economic roles “external” to the business might include

paying part of the business earnings to the government, paying other businesses who

supply
things that go into the final product. The social role of business is less simple
describe. Some people don’t think that business has any other role than making
to

money
for its owners. Others think that the economic roles lead to social roles.

External roles and responsibilities generally involve people or groups who have a

interest
in what the business does, even if they are not interested in the money. The

social roles can be internal or external and the internal roles could include things like

paying
to look after the children of people who work at the business, paying of a

minimum wage, provision of a safe working environment, or not discriminating
against people. External social roles include all the internal roles (because anyone
who is involved internally in the company is also a member of society generally, eg
employees) as well as things like looking after the environment and making sure that
the business advertises its products responsibly and doesn’t lie or be misleading in its
TV ads to people who buy things from the business. The Government has a lot of
influence about the social roles of business. It can make laws to make businesses do
things they don’t want to do. Some examples of these laws are: Occupational Health
and Safety Act 1983, Sex Discrimination Act 1975, Trade Practices Act 1974, Fair
Trading Act 1987.
<RXFRXOGXVHWKLV%XVLQHVV6WXGLHV0HWD/DQJXDJHLQ\RXUWDEOH:
producing goods and services, profit, wages, consumers, customers,
management, directors, employees, taxation, contracting, childcare
services, occupational health and safety, anti-discrimination and equal
opportunity, shareholders, stakeholders, financial interest,
environmentally responsible, ethical advertising, legislation.

Activity&RPSOHWHWKHWDEOHEHORZXVLQJLQIRUPDWLRQIURPWKHSUHYLRXVSDJH
5HSRUWVXVH«EXVLQHVVPHWD 5HSRUWVGRQRWXVH«LQIRUPDOQRQ
ODQJXDJH WHFKQLFDOODQJXDJH
producing goods or services making things or doing things

Mind-Maps are a visual tool! Notice how
they make complex information easy to
read. That’s exactly what Report Format
Activity8VLQJ\RXUPHWDODQJXDJH is designed to do. So, if you’re confused in
an exam – draw a mind map of the
IURPWKHSUHYLRXVSDJHGUDZD0LQG
0DSWKDWH[SODLQVWKHNH\WHUPVRI concepts to get started.
WKHSDUDJUDSKLQ%R[

'UDZD³7DEOHRI+HDGLQJV´WKDWRXWOLQHVKRZ\RXPLJKWVWUXFWXUHWKH
LQIRUPDWLRQLQUHSRUWIRUPDW

Activity8VLQJ\RXU7DEOHRI+HDGLQJVDVDJXLGHUHZULWHWKHSDUDJUDSKLQ
%R[LQUHSRUWIRUPDW<RXPD\XVHYLVXDOIHDWXUHVLI\RXZLVKDQG\RXPD\XVH
DVPDQ\SDUDJUDSKVDVQHFHVVDU\
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
7U\WKLVVWUXFWXUHIRU BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
\RXUSDUDJUDSKV BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
7RSLFVHQWHQFH The key BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
idea stated without
examples or detail
*HQHUDOLQIRUPDWLRQ BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
more information on the BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
general idea BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
'HWDLOHGLQIRUPDWLRQ BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
Specific evidence to BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
support idea.
(YDOXDWLRQYour own
ideas, recommendations BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
or proposals based on the BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
evidence noted earlier in BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
the paragraph BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
Oh, and don’t

forget your
headings!
Remember the 3 tasks
that require reports:
assessment tasks,
major business plan,
and exams.

Exams and assessment tasks require you to write a business report in
response to a specific question. <RXPXVWNQRZ
KRZWRUHDGDQGXQGHUVWDQGWKHTXHVWLRQ. There
are 3 aspects to this: the rubric; directive terms; and
making recommendations.

7KH5XEULF
Part III of the HSC requires you to write a business
report. This is how the 2004 HSC rubric looked.

)LJXUH+6&
The rubric for Reports in business studies is always the same. It means that you will be
assessed on (fill in the blanks below):
x \RXURZQNQRZOHGJHRIWKHBBBBBBBBBBBBBDUHD
x \RXUXVHRIH[DPSOHVWRBBBBBBBBBBBWKH³WKHRU\´WRWKHBBBBBBBBBBBB
LQWKHTXHVWLRQ
x KRZZHOO\RXXVHWKHBBBBBBBBBBBBBBLQWKHTXHVWLRQ
x XVHRIBBBBBBBBBODQJXDJHDQG
x KRZBBBBBBBBBBDQGZHOOBBBBBBBBBBBBB\RXUUHSRUWLV
'LUHFWLYH7HUPV This looks a lot like
“Bloom’s Taxonomy”.
This guide does not fully cover the subject of HSC What are the levels in
directive terms. Appendix 1 has the full list of terms and
Bloom’s – and how do
their meaning and should be consulted. If you have
questions about the directive terms please come and see they apply here?
me. Appendix 1 might help
answer this.
Box 3 gives a short summary of directive terms.

%R[
Using directive terms
The questions asked will always give a student a directive, such as assess,
discuss, explain, evaluate, list, recount and so on. Students need to quickly
distinguish between those that require short responses and those that
require more in-depth thought. The directive terms are summarised in the
Table below.

High Order (‘hard’) define, identify, recall, recount
directives

Median order account, clarify, demonstrate,
(‘moderately difficult’) describe, explain, outline, summarise,

directives apply, calculate, construct, extract,
interpret, analyse, contrast, compare,
discuss, examine, investigate

Low order (‘easy’) recount, recall, restate, list, identify,
directives state, outline, label and define

More time and effort needs to be allocated to achieving high order directives,
whereas much less time and effort needs to be allocated to lower order
directives.

Adapted from: Mohan Dahl <http://ink.news.com.au/>

5HFRPPHQGDWLRQVRU3URSRVDOV
Reports in Business Studies should use facts and evidence to support a position. The
position will usually be in the form of recommendations or proposals about a particular
situation.
You should make your recommendations after you have considered the facts or
evidence (remember Reports are evidence-based) that lead you to that
recommendation. If you make recommendations throughout the report (after
considering the evidence on each point), you may wish to conclude your report with a
summary of recommendations.

So far we have looked at the different components of business reports. But

a report is longer than 1 paragraph. You should use the typical structure in
your writing.
Box 4 indicates that Business Reports in HSC Business Studies typically

contain WKUHHPDMRUVHFWLRQV: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. You
have 2 main options for the body of your Report.

%R[
7KH7\SLFDO%XVLQHVV5HSRUW6WUXFWXUH

,QWURGXFWLRQ The synopsis or executive summary sets up the report
and classifies what the report is about.
%RG\ A series of paragraphs using key headings and

integrating the features of report writing (eg diagrams,
meta-language, tables, statistics).
Option 1 Option 2
Evidence + Evidence (identify,

Recommendation or describe, classify)
Proposal

Recomm. or Proposal describe, classify)

Recomm. or Proposal describe, classify)
Recommendations and
Proposals

&RQFOXVLRQ The summative section that draws it all together. It can

have a summary of recommendations.
Source: Mohal Dahl <http://ink.news.com.au/>

6RQRZWKDWZHNQRZZKDWWKHVWUXFWXUHLVOHW¶VWU\WRSXWDUHSRUW
EDFNWRJHWKHU

4XHVWLRQ
Identify and describe the ethical and social

responsibilities of business. Propose two strategies to
enhance the social role of business and explain how these
would operate.

Activity
:RUNLQJLQSDLUVDQGXVLQJWKHPDWHULDOKDQGHGRXW

1. Match the right heading to the right paragraph;
7+(1RQWKHQH[WSDJH
2. Put the headings and paragraphs in order to make the whole report.
3. Label the SECTIONS of the report (Introduction, Body and

Conclusion) on the LEFT.
7+(1
4. Write out the Table of Contents of this report or draw a Mind Map
below.

Don’t under-estimate the power of good, clear
headings. Headings make the entire report easy
to read. Make sure you know what headings
you are going to use BEFORE you start
writing your reports.
Structural
Features
Title Improving Ethical and Social Responsibility in Business
Introduction Business activity impacts upon a range of stakeholders in society. Business responsibility
can be divided into economic or social factors and internal or external responsibilities. This
report makes recommendations aimed to improve the outcomes of business activity in its
social role.
Body Responsibilities to Society
To be responsible, business should obey the laws of society and protect the environment.
Laws reflect the values of a society and so business should be responsible by, for example,
ensuring that all taxes are paid on time so that the government has enough funds to provide
services. Businesses should conduct operations using ecologically sustainable methods so
that future generations are not disadvantaged by the business operations of today.
Shareholders
Business has the responsibility to shareholders to provide open information about business
dealings. Businesses that avoid this responsibility not only break the law, but often produce
very damaging financial results, for example Enron in the United States.
Customers
Customers deserve to be dealt with honestly and ethically. Business must not deceive or
trick customers into buying products and should ensure that the quality of the product
matches the description and price. For example, the customers in the Westpoint Investment
scheme were tricked into investing millions of dollars, most of which were lost when the
scheme collapsed in 2005.
Employees
Business should provide a safe working environment for its employees. A good example of
this responsibility is the Tasmanian Mine rescue when the business took full responsibility
for the safety of its workers. Other ethical responsibilities include access to child care for
employees, however, few business provide these services for their employees.
Managers
Business needs to properly resource management and ensure that decision making is
supported. This is sometimes a difficult area, because different parts of management in a
business can operate in different ways.
Proposals Proposals to improve Social Responsibilities
Consumer Action
Businesses are very interested in the desires of their customers. Without customers the
business would fail. Therefore, customers should demand that business act in an
environmentally sustainable manner. This is seen in the growing demand for green energy
and the removal of polystyrene burger packaging.
Community Action
Non-government organisations that act at the community level can effectively influence
business decisions. A good example of this is the campaign by Planet Ark to reduce the use
of plastic shopping bags in supermarkets.
Conclusions Conclusion
Business has many ethical and social responsibilities, but it also has economic
responsibilities. It is possible to balance these interests and consumers and the community
can act to influence the way business decisions are make.

So far we have looked separately at the features of the report style. Now it is time to
put it all together and examine a sample business report. 3
5XEULF In your answer you will be assessed on how well you:

Ŷ use your knowledge and the information provided
Ŷ communicate using relevant business terminology and concepts
Ŷ present a logical, well-structured answer to the question in the form of a
business report
4XHVWLRQ Outline the financial performance of the National Australia Bank in the year
2001. Propose future strategies for financial growth and explain how these
strategies will produce a strong financial position in the future.
'LUHFWLYH Outline
7HUPV
Explain
+
“Propose future strategies” (not strictly a directive term, but important for the
structure and content of the report)

7KHIROORZLQJSDJHVFRQWDLQDVDPSOHUHSRUWWKDWDQVZHUVWKLVTXHVWLRQ,QWKH
ILUVWVHFWLRQWKHIHDWXUHVRIWKHUHSRUWDUHIXOO\ODEHOHG
Activity,QODWHUVHFWLRQV\RXQHHGWRFRPSOHWHWKHODEHOLQJRIDOOUHPDLQLQJ
IHDWXUHVRIWKHUHSRUW
Section Features
1DWLRQDO$XVWUDOLD%DQN*URXS)LQDQFLDO Report Title
3HUIRUPDQFH
,QWURGXFWLRQ Strong, clear opening
INTRODUCTION The NAB is in a very strong financial position. Although net profit sentence.
is down on previous years, dividends and shareholder assets (or
equity) demonstrate that the bank remains the largest of Australia’s Meta-language
banks.
Use of non-personal
1HW3URILW pro-noun. “The NAB”
Net profit decreased for the first time in more than ten years (see not “we”.
Figure 1) due to an abnormal loss incurred in an overseas
operation. Net profit is expected to rise above 2000 levels in the Heading
next financial year.
)LJXUH Evidence based (ie,
clear reasons for lower
BODY profits)

Figures are clearly
labeled.

Visual Features to
clearly show the
level of profit over
time.

General classes of
'LYLGHQGV
Dividends paid to shareholders rose by a significant 9.7 per cent to
people
135 cents per share, the fifth consecutive year that dividends have
increased (see Figure 2). Dividends continue to be fully franked.
)LJXUH Concise, fact-based,
BODY use of data

Reference to visual
features within text
to link report

together

Visual Feature

Section Features
$VVHWV
In the past five years shareholders’ equity has nearly doubled
(compare 1997 and 2001 in Figure 3). The National Australia Bank
remains the largest of all Australian banks.
)LJXUH

6WUDWHJLHVIRUWKH)XWXUH
Growth into the future is ensured by the implementation
of 3 core strategies:
x “Process Enhancement Project” (PEP). PEP is
delivering ongoing cost savings and benefits
to customers leading to lower costs and
increased revenues.
x Eliminating non-performing assets: All
divisions are being assessed against strict
criteria .his will prevent a repeat of the decline
in net profit suffered in 2001 due to a poor
performance in an off-shore division.
x Diversification of Product Offering: The bank
has previously relied on a small range of
products. The strategy widens the range of
financial products and services available with
direct benefits in customer loyalty and overall
revenues in the future.
&RQFOXVLRQ
With the strong results in 2001 and the clear strategies for
future growth, the National Australia Bank is well
positioned to remain the leader of Australia’s banking
sector.
At the end of this Step you
should be able to…write a
business report covering
several aspects of the Nature
of Business topic.

Activity:
7KHWLPHKDVFRPHWRZULWHDEXVLQHVVUHSRUW7KH
FRQWHQWUHTXLUHGWRDQVZHUWKHTXHVWLRQEHORZLVDOO
FRQWDLQHGZLWKLQWKHDFWLYLWLHVWKURXJKRXWWKLV
JXLGH,I\RXZLVK\RXFDQDOVRXVHDQ\QRWHVIURP
RWKHUFODVVDFWLYLWLHVEXW\RXGRQRWKDYHWR

<RXGRQRWQHHGWRGRDQ\UHVHDUFKWRDQVZHUWKLV
TXHVWLRQ7KHSRLQWLVIRU\RXWRSXWWKLQJV\RX
DOUHDG\NQRZLQWRWKHQHZ%XVLQHVV5HSRUWVW\OH

7KLVUHSRUWLV'8(BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB

Ŷ communicate using relevant business terminology
and concepts
Ŷ present a logical, well-structured answer to the
question in the form of a business report
4XHVWLRQ Big Business has had some bad media attention
recently. You are a consultant hired by the Business
Council of Australia. You must produce a business
report examining the Nature of Business in Australia.
Describe the economic and social responsibilities of

business in Australia relating to 3 specific groups in
society. Use the economic performance of the %LJIRXU
EDQNVas an example. Make 2
recommendations about how this business can better
fulfill its social responsibilities and explain how these
recommendations will lead to this outcome.
'LUHFWLYH
7HUPV

Writing your first Business Report
6WHS8QGHUVWDQGWKHTXHVWLRQZKDWLVLWDVNLQJ"

6WHS&KRRVHJURXSVWRZULWHDERXW The key to all
+LQW6HH6WHS3XWWLQJLWWRJHWKHUDERYH extended
response
questions is a
FOHDUFHQWUDO
LGHD. Make sure
you know what
your FHQWUDO
6WHS'HFLGHRQ\RXUUHFRPPHQGDWLRQV LGHDis in this
report. State the
idea in the
opening
paragraph and
OLQNHYHU\WKLQJ
EDFNWRWKDW
6WHS 0DSWKHFRQFHSWVHLWKHUZULWHDOLVWRIKHDGLQJV FHQWUDOLGHD.
RUGUDZDPLQGPDS That way, the
reader will
always
understand you.
:ULWH\RXUDQVZHULQ\RXURZQERRNVEXWUHPHPEHUWRXVHWKH
IROORZLQJVWUXFWXUHDVDJXLGH

,QWURGXFWLRQ Synopsis or executive summary

%RG\ Evidence, fact based description
Evidence, fact based description
Evidence, fact based description
Etc (as many as required)
Proposals or Recommendations

&RQFOXVLRQ Concluding statement (possibly with a summary of

recommendations)

+DYH\RXGRQHD0,1'0$3RUWDEOHRIKHDGLQJV"
6723 +DYH\RXLQFOXGHGD7,7/(IRUWKHUHSRUW"
'R\RXKDYHD&(175$/,'($"

%HIRUH\RXKDQG\RXUUHSRUWLQFRPSOHWHWKHIROORZLQJWDEOH

,KDYHLQFOXGHG <HV1R ([DPSOHVIURPP\UHSRUW
Structural Features
Language Features
Visual Features
Title

This guide has focused on some aspects of Topic 1: Nature of Business.
The question below looks at other aspects of this topic and you will need
to refer to your work in class and at home to answer the question.
Answer the question on A4 paper. 7KLVUHSRUWLV'8(BBBBBBBBBBBBBB

Ŷ communicate using relevant business terminology and concepts
Ŷ present a logical, well-structured answer to the question in the
form of a business report
4XHVWLRQ SME Pty Ltd is a small business located in Western Sydney. It is
established and the owners wish to focus on rapidly growing the
business for 2 years.
You are a small business advisor employed by the NSW

government to assist in situations like this. SME asks you for a
report. In your report describe the phases of development that
businesses go through and explain which phase is most important
for SME at this time. Outline the impacts that the business
environment could have on the business and make 3 proposals to
the business to safeguard against negative impacts

It would be a good idea to use the
WHFKQLTXHVIURPHDUOLHUDFWLYLWLHVto
create this final report.
Good Luck.
$SSHQGL[%ORRPV7D[RQRP\DQG
WKH16:%RDUGRI6WXGLHV'LUHFWLYH7HUPV
Bloom’s taxonomy is a method of structuring learning. It ranks certain activities from easiest
(low order) to hardest (high order). All the directive terms used by the Board of Studies can be
organised according to Bloom’s taxonomy.

Blooms Taxonomy of Learning
Knowledge Understanding Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation

/2:25'(5 +,*+25'(5

Blooms BoS BoS Glossary Definition Student Action:
Taxonomy Directive Groupings of syllabus knowledge,
Term skills and understanding
Knowledge Define State meaning and identify essential Absorb, respond, remember:
qualities Knowledge, recall and
understanding
Knowledge Identify Recognise and name Absorb, respond, remember:
Knowledge, recall and
understanding
Knowledge Recall Present remembered ideas, facts or Absorb, respond, remember:
experiences Knowledge, recall and
understanding
Knowledge Recount Retell a series of events Absorb, respond, remember:
Knowledge, recall and
understanding
Understanding Account Account for: state reasons for, Explain, translate, demonstrate:
report on. Give an account of: Skills in application and
narrate a series of events or performance
transactions
Understanding Clarify Make clear or plain Explain, translate, demonstrate:
Skills in application and
performance
Understanding Demonstrate Show by example Explain, translate, demonstrate:
performance
Understanding Describe Provide characteristics and features Explain, translate, demonstrate:
performance
Understanding Explain Relate cause and effect; make the Explain, translate, demonstrate:
relationships between things Skills in application and
evident; provide why and/or how performance
Understanding Outline Sketch in general terms; indicate the Explain, translate, demonstrate:
main features of Skills in application and
performance
Understanding Summarise Express, concisely, the relevant Explain, translate, demonstrate:
details Skills in application and
performance
Application Apply Use, utilise, employ in a particular Build, demonstrate knowledge,

situation problem solve
Application Calculate Ascertain/determine from given Build, demonstrate knowledge,

facts, figures or information problem solve
Application Construct Make; build; put together items or Build, demonstrate knowledge,
arguments problem solve
Application Extract Choose relevant and/or appropriate Build, demonstrate knowledge,

details problem solve
Application Interpret Draw meaning from Build, demonstrate knowledge,

problem solve
Analysis Analyse Identify components and the Discuss, uncover, dissect: skills in
relationship between them; draw out analysis and critical thinking
and relate implications
Analysis Contrast Show how things are different or Discuss, generalise, relate,
opposite compare and contrast
Analysis Compare Show how things are similar or Discuss, generalise, relate,
different compare and contrast
Analysis Discuss Identify issues and provide points Discuss, uncover, dissect: skills in
for and/or against analysis and critical thinking
Analysis Examine Inquire into Discuss, uncover, dissect: skills in

analysis and critical thinking
Analysis Investigate Plan, inquire into and draw Discuss, uncover, dissect: skills in
conclusions about analysis and critical thinking
Analysis Distinguish Recognise or note/indicate as being Discuss, uncover, dissect: skills in

distinct or different from; to note analysis and critical thinking
differences between
Synthesis Classify Arrange or include in Discuss, generalise, relate,

classes/categories compare and contrast
Synthesis Propose Put forward (for example a point of Discuss, generalise, relate,
view, idea, argument, suggestion) compare and contrast
for consideration or action
Synthesis Recommend Provide reasons in favour Discuss, generalise, relate,

compare and contrast
Synthesis Extrapolate Infer from what is known Discuss, generalise, relate,

Synthesis Deduce Draw conclusions Discuss, generalise, relate,

Synthesis Predict Suggest what may happen based Discuss, generalise, relate,
on available information compare and contrast
Synthesis Synthesise Putting together various elements to Discuss, generalise, relate,

make a whole compare and contrast
Evaluation Appreciate Make a judgement about the value Evaluate, dispute, develop criteria
of
Evaluation Assess Make a judgment of value, quality, Evaluate, dispute, develop criteria
outcomes, results or size
Evaluation Critically Add a degree or level of accuracy Evaluate, dispute, develop criteria
Analyse or depth, knowledge and
evaluate understanding, logic, questioning,
reflection and quality to
(analyse/evaluation)
Evaluation Evaluate Make a judgement based on criteria; Evaluate, dispute, develop criteria
determine the value of
Evaluation Justify Support an argument or conclusion Evaluate, dispute, develop criteria

$SSHQGL[±1RWHVIRUWKH7HDFKHU
x Activities in this Guide are not intended to run in sequential lessons. The Guide is designed to be used
for lessons spaced throughout the introductory topic. This way, students will build content knowledge
and contextual literacy skills over a period of several weeks (rather than abstract skills over a period of
lessons).
x Most of the graphics in this guide are colour. Printing in Greyscale may affect the readability of some
text and this should be checked before proceeding with greyscale copies.
x The title page of the Guide should be adapted to the school (ie, insert school and teacher name) to ensure
students understand that it is for WKHP, rather than generic.
x Step 1 requires the use of example business reports. It is designed to immerse students in good examples
of the Report genre. The aim is to use electronic sample reports that are to be saved on the school
intranet. Four samples are provided on the CD as a starting point. These should be loaded onto the
school intranet. Note that some reports break the “rules” – eg the NAB report refers to “we” throughout.
Students may pick this up and an answer should be prepared.
x Step 2 is very optional and could be set as homework or skipped altogether.
x The first activity in Step 3 (reading for meaning), can be conducted as a dicta-gloss activity if preferred.
x The activity in Step 5 (understand structural features by putting a chopped-up report back together) has
been completed for this sample to show that the finished product fits on the page. It has not been labelled
(this is part of the activity for students). A sample of the chopped up pieces is also attached in an
envelope. An overhead of the finished product is also included for students to refer to when finished.
Further Reading about Report Writing

This Guide draws heavily upon the work of the leading writers about and teachers of the report format. All
references below were consulted.
x M Dhall, G Hannelly and L Nixon (2001), 5HSRUW:ULWLQJIRU+6&%XVLQHVV6WXGLHV (Five Senses

Education, Seven Hills).
x W Sheridan (1996), 7HDFKLQJ5HSRUW)RUPDW5HVSRQVHVLQ%XVLQHVV6WXGLHV 32(4) December,
Economics – Journal of the Economics and Business Educators New South Wales, 46.
x R Ross and P Fowler (1997), /LWHUDF\LQ&RPPHUFHDQG%XVLQHVV6WXGLHV, 33(2) June, Economics –
Journal of the Economics and Business Educators New South Wales, 56.
x R Ross and P Fowler (1997), /LWHUDF\LQ%XVLQHVV6WXGLHV, 33(4) December, Economics – Journal of the
Economics and Business Educators New South Wales, 31.
x <http://www.tki.org.nz/r/esol/esolonline/classroom/teach_strats/checklists/report_e.php> accessed 29
May 2006.
x <ink.news.com.au/classmate/HSC/Reportwriting.html> and
<ink.news.com.au/classmate/HSC/BUSSTUDIES%20exam.htm> (see endnotes).
x <http://www.hsc.csu.edu.au/business_studies/intro/writing/writing.html> accessed 29 May 2006.
x <http://www.tki.org.nz/r/esol/esolonline/classroom/teach_strats/checklists/report_e.php> accessed 29
May 2006.
x <http://portals.studentnet.edu.au/literacy/DeskTopDefault.aspx?tabid=327>
See over for endnotes.

ENDNOTES
1
M Dhall, G Hannelly, L Nixon, 5HSRUW:ULWLQJIRU+6&%XVLQHVV6WXGLHV (2001, Five Senses Education, Seven Hills). Note: Dhall
et al refer to 3 styles of reports, the third being the holistic style. It was felt that this style is too complex and too difficult to achieve
for students new to the text-type.
2
This text draws heavily from Dhall et al and from the “cached” versions of two websites:
<ink.news.com.au/classmate/HSC/Reportwriting.html> and
<ink.news.com.au/classmate/HSC/BUSSTUDIES%20exam.htm>. Neither of these sites is directly accessible as at 30 May 2006.
However, they can be read via the cached version that Google makes available.
3
This report is mainly derived and partially adapted from: <http://www.hsc.csu.edu.au/business_studies/intro/writing/writing.html>
accessed 29 May 2006.

How To Write A Business Report Activities

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

How To Write A Business Report Activities

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Something to think about – answer my questions if you

Syllabus Topic Area: So you know where this content fits

Tips and Advice, to help you along the way

Activity: Yes! You actually have to GR things in this book.

x 6\OODEXV2XWFRPHV(Page 11 and throughout)

The Structure of this Guide

Syllabus Outcomes Addressed

Companies encourage shareholders to

This requires lots of BRAIN POWER. I can’t

Which of the “structural”

Oh, and don’t

So far we have looked at the different components of business reports. But

Box 4 indicates that Business Reports in HSC Business Studies typically

%RG\ A series of paragraphs using key headings and

Evidence + Evidence (identify,

Evidence + Evidence (identify,

Evidence + Evidence (identify,

&RQFOXVLRQ The summative section that draws it all together. It can

Source: Mohal Dahl <http://ink.news.com.au/>

3. Label the SECTIONS of the report (Introduction, Body and

5XEULF In your answer you will be assessed on how well you:

Describe the economic and social responsibilities of

%RG\ Evidence, fact based description

Evidence, fact based description

Evidence, fact based description

Etc (as many as required)

&RQFOXVLRQ Concluding statement (possibly with a summary of

Answer the question on A4 paper. 7KLVUHSRUWLV'8(BBBBBBBBBBBBBB

You are a small business advisor employed by the NSW

Application Apply Use, utilise, employ in a particular Build, demonstrate knowledge,

Application Calculate Ascertain/determine from given Build, demonstrate knowledge,

Application Extract Choose relevant and/or appropriate Build, demonstrate knowledge,

Application Interpret Draw meaning from Build, demonstrate knowledge,

Analysis Examine Inquire into Discuss, uncover, dissect: skills in

Analysis Distinguish Recognise or note/indicate as being Discuss, uncover, dissect: skills in

Synthesis Classify Arrange or include in Discuss, generalise, relate,

Synthesis Recommend Provide reasons in favour Discuss, generalise, relate,

Synthesis Extrapolate Infer from what is known Discuss, generalise, relate,

Synthesis Deduce Draw conclusions Discuss, generalise, relate,

Synthesis Synthesise Putting together various elements to Discuss, generalise, relate,

Evaluation Justify Support an argument or conclusion Evaluate, dispute, develop criteria

Further Reading about Report Writing

x M Dhall, G Hannelly and L Nixon (2001), 5HSRUW:ULWLQJIRU+6&%XVLQHVV6WXGLHV (Five Senses

See over for endnotes.

You might also like

Something to think about – answer my questions if you

This requires lots of BRAIN POWER. I can’t

Which of the “structural”

Oh, and don’t

Answer the question on A4 paper. 7KLVUHSRUWLV'8(BBBBBBBBBBBBBB