Writing Reports to Get Results: Quick, Effective Results Using the Pyramid Method

"This new edition of a quick and easy-to-read reference guide helps professionals and students learn to write effective reports. The popular ?Pyramid Method? of writing is introduced to show readers how to structure and organize their documents to create a clear and concrete writing style. Updates to the third edition include new examples, new report samples, and a more thorough description of the writing process.

An expanded documentation section now includes references to both APA and MLA formats. The report section has been expanded to include a new report type, the Project Completion Report.

Professionals who need to document projects and ideas efficiently and effectively will learn techniques to help them organize their thoughts into coherent, well-structured reports. This book speaks the language of the technical professional and will be of particular use to engineers, technicians, project managers, consultants, architects, and managers in fields ranging from construction to telecommunications and financial services."

Sponsored by:
IEEE Professional Communications Society

Technical Writing/Electrical Engineering Writing Reports to Get Results Second Edition Quick, Effective Results Using the Pyramid Method Ron S. Blicq and Lisa A. Moretto This indispensable handbook provides handy tips and practical guidelines for writing all types of reports and proposals. You will learn how to write more easily, clearly, and effectively through the unique pyramid method, which shows you step by step how to put your main message up front and develop your thoughts in a logical, organized fashion for maximum impact. The handbook covers in detail the three main types of reports—Informal, Semiformal, and Formal—and offers helpful outlines for specific report formats, such as inspection, progress, and investigation reports, and for technical proposals. This second edition has been extensively revised to provide even more relevant, up-to-date examples. Key features include:

• Guidelines for using the pyramid method to focus your message, get started quickly, and continue writing fluidly
• Models for writing incident and inspection reports, project completion reports, test and laboratory reports, investigation and evaluation reports, semiformal and formal proposals, and more
• Sample reports on real-world, current topics ranging from inspecting a contractor’s work to correcting an electrical problem, and proposing a new computer system
• A full chapter on writing techniques and methods, including how to be more persuasive and how to remove clutter from your writing
• Strategies for writing collaboratively, creating a bibliography, inserting illustrations into a report, working with a report production team, and more!

Although this book is primarily geared toward engineers, scientists, and technicians who have to write reports and proposals, it will also be of value to nontechnical professionals who need to improve their report-writing capabilities. Also of interest from IEEE Press Writing in the Technical Fields A Step-by-Step Guide for Engineers, Scientists, and Technicians By Mike Markel, Boise State University and Editor, IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication This comprehensive and informal guide presents an excellent, hands-on approach to technical writing. Combining leading-edge research with practical advice, it provides a simple, effective system for writing any type of technical document including letters, memos, minutes, procedures, manuals, proposals, progress reports and final reports. 1994 Hardcover 296 pp IEEE Order Number PC0385-5 ISBN 0-7803-1059-4 1994 Softcover 296 pp IEEE Order Number PP0385-5 ISBN 0-7803-1036-5