Textbook: Sample papers in chapters 8 and 15
Sample Student Reports: Student Samples (attached)
Student Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Write a major report with a transmittal letter.
- Integrate primary and secondary sources into a major report.
- Follow the MLA documentation style and accurately format sources for quotes, paraphrased material, and visuals to avoid plagiarism. Use both parenthetical citations and a works cited page.
- Include content that provides relevant information based on the approved proposal, organize research in a logical order, and use standard grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
- Include at least two visuals, appropriately placing and noting them within the text and documenting their source.
Discussion
The major report is the capstone of the course. It is based on your proposal and progress letter. You will apply almost every assignment objective in this class to the major report. It illustrates your ability to use critical thinking to solve a problem by conducting research and synthesizing information.
Assignment
It will be easier if you do not write the following sequentially. Although the front matter is at the beginning, the transmittal letter through abstract should be completed after you have written your report. The pagination will need to be completed prior to placing page numbers in the Table of Contents and List of Figures.
Sections of the Major Report
Transmittal Letter
The transmittal (cover) letter introduces your report to your readers. It highlights specific sections or results. In a business situation, you might write several cover letters, for example, one for the chief executive officer, one for the business office, and one for regional managers, pointing out research and results that are unique to their areas. The transmittal letter is a separate document that comes before the title page. The content of the transmittal letter may be similar to the abstract of the report. The transmittal letter is not counted in the pagination.
Pagination
Count every page, beginning with the title page. Front matter uses small Roman numerals (e.g., ii, iii, and iv) and begins being printed on the Table of Contents page. The Table of Contents, the List of Illustrations, and Abstract should be on separate pages. The title page is counted but is not numbered. If you are having trouble with numbers, you may use all Arabic numbers (e.g., 2, 3, 4, etc.) throughout the report or type the number on each page.
Front Matter (put on separate pages)
- Title page
- Table of Contents (list only the first page of a section)
- List of Illustrations or List of Figures (list the title of each visual and the page on which it appears)
- Abstract (highlights research methods and overall results of the report). Write the abstract after you complete the report, or it will sound like an introduction to the paper.
Report Content
Content: Remember to include your primary research in the text and document it correctly. Primary research is required to be in the report. You are doing applied research unique to your situation.
Documentation: MLA. See Chapter 8. You have the option to use the new MLA style with links and URLs or the previous style used in the textbook.
Visuals
Two visuals are required. Include the source (e.g., Source: Phillips 79); for consistency, use your name if visuals were developed from your own data. If you design your own chart or graph using someone else’s data, then list the data source (e.g., Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau). Data, as well as drawings, maps, and photos, essentially all visuals, are to have the source.
Introductory Information
Organize background information, problem, purpose, and scope to not be repetitive; combine sections and headings, if necessary. The background section presents a broad or global view of the topic, followed by details in the discussion portion. If the problem and purpose sound alike, put them into one heading instead of two, such as Purpose. If applicable, identify a limited scope or unique group of people who participated (e.g., Troop 234 of the Houston Region Boy Scouts, the Methodist Hospital Annex Pediatric Oncology Ward in Pearland, or attendees at the February 25 meeting of the Accounting Club).
You have completed your research, so the major report will be written in the past tense or present tense. For example, four employees at XYZ Mart were interviewed about product changes in the housewares, toys, electronics, and sporting goods departments. This report covers research completed at XYZ Mart from February 6-10. Do not write in future tense, which was part of the proposal (e.g., the research will be conducted about new computers for sixth-grade students).
Discussion of Research and Results
- Headings/subheadingswill vary based on the research design.
- A definition of termsmay be needed based on your study to clarify a meaning or to eliminate wordiness, such as surfing means finding information on the Internet rather than catching a wave in the ocean. Another example is using the word four-year institution for any of the following types of schools: schools with undergraduate bachelor students, schools with undergraduate and graduate students, and schools with upper division and graduate students.
- Describe your research design, so the study could be replicated. If you conducted a survey, describe who, what, when, where, and how the information was gathered; the results will covered in the findings.
- Findingsmay be presented by topics studied, by comparing variables, by ascending or descending results of importance, or by alphabetizing variables. Use parallel organization. For example, if you are comparing Hondas and Toyotas, sections can be divided by two major headings of Hondas and Toyotas with supporting paragraphs and subheadings for variables – mileage, crash test ratings, and resale values. You can also divide the paper by variables (mileage, crash test ratings, resale values) with paragraphs and subheadings of Honda and Toyota following each variable. Sample outlines follow:
Organized by vehicle
- Honda
- Mileage
- Crash Test Ratings
- Resale Value
- Toyota
- Mileage
- Crash Test Ratings
- Resale Value
Organized by variables
- Mileage
- Honda
- Toyota
- Crash Test Ratings
- Honda
- Toyota
- Resale Value
- Honda
- Toyota
Conclusion
Results have been presented throughout the discussion. In the conclusion, you will state your decision. For example, the 2018 Toyota was purchased over the Honda because of long-term resale value; it will be a vehicle for our family for many years to come. The insulin pump was chosen over pricking fingers and using injections since it automatically keep glucose levels even. Students in biology preferred printed textbooks while history students preferred online textbooks.
Recommendations (optional)
Future research that needs to be completed or suggestions can be written in a recommendations section. This section is optional.
Back Matter
Works Cited (required): Using MLA, list all sources used in the report text and visuals.
Appendix: If you completed a survey, include a complete tabulation of the results. You may include additional information, such as forms or brochures.
Grading Rubric for the Major Report
Your paper will be graded on the following criteria. Make sure to include all parts of the report. The major report is worth 20% of your grade. Highlighted phrases will show areas that need improvement.
Overall (5 points)
Meet deadline to allow for classmates’ critiques
Completeness/Directions followed/Format/Headings/Organization
Professional Appearance/Page numbers
Documentation (15 points)
Quoted and paraphrased material must be punctuated and cited correctly; otherwise, it is considered plagiarism, and the report receives a 0.
MLA required with the addition of a List of Illustrations
Primary sources and visual sources are listed in Works Cited
Parenthetical citations are included and match Works Cited
Parenthetical citations used for both quoted and paraphrased sources
Works cited in alphabetical order/all source information/formatted correctly
Visuals (10 points)
Two required or adequate number to support text
Design appropriate and data accurate
Visuals with figure numbers, headings, and data labels
Source or data source required on all visuals
Appropriate placement/content is explained and referenced in text
Content (50 points)
Logical organization with headings and formal writing
Letter (transmittal) (5)
Title page (1)
Table of Contents (2)/List of Illustrations (2)
Abstract that includes results (5)
Report Text
Introduction/background (2)
Purpose/Problem/Scope/Research Design (5)
Applied research using collected data and relevant facts to solve business or personal problem or make a comparative analysis (10)
Primary sources required; minimum of two cited in the text (10)
Show relationship between primary and secondary sources (3)
Results/Conclusion (5)
Recommendations (optional)
Works Cited/References (required; see documentation above)
Appendix If applicable, Appendix A – full tabulation of survey results. Appendix B – Supplemental material may be added, such as forms or brochures. The interview transcript is not required.
Grammar/Proofreading/Writing (20 points)
Commas, comma splices, fragments, run-ons, semicolons
Italics/Quotation marks/Number usage/Colon
Paragraphing
Parallel phrasing/organization
Person/Pronoun: stay in same person/second person inappropriate; consistently use singular or plural form; usage/antecedent agreement
Phrasing: awkward wording/omitted words/repetitious/word choice/wordiness
Sentence structure/sentence sense/clarity
Spelling/apostrophe/capitalization/hyphen
Subject/verb agreement
Verb tense
