Formal technical reports over eight to ten pages contain several components that deserve their own focus because they are important in technical reports and because people are unfamiliar with them:
- Abstracts provide several kinds of summaries of the report contents and conclusions.
- Introductions get readers ready to read reports by indicating the topic, purpose, intended audience, contents, and orther such matters.
- Conclusions shape how readers view and understand the report upon leaving it.
Return to the table of contents for the Online Technical Writing Course Guide (the online textbook for online technical communication courses at Austin Community College and other institutions worldwide). This information is provided and maintained by David A. McMurrey. For information on use, customization, or copies, e-mail hcexres@io.com.