Reports are an essential part of the communication process in business and have become critical to professionals who are making business decisions. All reports should be easy to read and understand and do their job quickly and effectively. When you write a report, you should communicate your ideas clearly and logically, using straightforward language, proper format, and correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

The formal research report plays an important role in business. The report can present data on a specialized subject, attempt to find the causes underlying a problem, find whether or not a problem exists, or analyze possible solutions to a particular problem. You should develop your skills to be ready to meet the challenges of report writing in today’s workplace.

Proposals are used to make requests for business needs such as new equipment, additional personnel, or changes in procedures. The goal of a proposal is to cause the reader to believe he or she needs to do what you are proposing. Visuals can be effectively used in both formal research reports and in proposals. Remember that a graphic is often easier to understand than columns of information.