Table of Contents for How to Write Reports & Proposals

Acknowledgements

vii

Introduction: pitfalls and opportunities

1

(5)

1. What makes good business writing?

6

(14)

The hazards of communication

6

(1)

Serious, and very serious

7

(2)

Why have a report?

9

(1)

Readers' expectations

10

(2)

The readers' perspective

12

(3)

Powerful habits

15

(1)

Earning a reading

15

(2)

The rewards of excellence

17

(1)

A significant opportunity

18

(2)

2. Creating a good report

20

(13)

Setting clear objectives

20

(2)

A sound structure

22

(2)

First, the beginning

24

(2)

The middle

26

(3)

The end

29

(1)

After the end

30

(3)

3. Preparing to write

33

(17)

Why this report?

35

(2)

Research prior to preparation

37

(1)

A systematic approach

38

(12)

4. The power of language

50

(19)

Cultivating a style

50

(1)

Readers' expectations

51

(5)

Readers' dislikes

56

(1)

The writer's approach

57

(2)

Use of language

59

(1)

Making language work for you

60

(2)

Mistakes to avoid

62

(3)

Following the rules

65

(2)

Style

67

(2)

5. Dealing with numbers

69

(10)

Action to help

70

(1)

Methods of presenting numbers clearly

71

(4)

The contribution of language

75

(4)

6. Making proposals persuasive

79

(26)

A cumulative process

79

(2)

A key stage

81

(1)

Persuasive technique

81

(1)

The don'ts

82

(1)

The dos

83

(2)

Quotations versus proposals

85

(1)

Choice of format

85

(3)

Timing

88

(1)

Proposal content

89

(6)

Checklist

95

(2)

Covering letters

97

(3)

The presentation of proposals

100

(2)

Earn attention

102

(3)

7. The contribution of presentation

105

(10)

How the pages look

106

(5)

The exhibits

111

(1)

Other options for inclusion

112

(1)

Overall packaging

113

(2)

Afterword

115