Background
The purpose of a recommendation report is to suggest specific steps that should be taken as a result of a study/your evaluation of a problem or an issue. Quite often, a recommendation report is the final link in a chain of documents that begins with a proposal and continues with a progress report.
Here are examples of the kinds of questions a recommendation report might address:
What should we do about Problem X?
Should we do Function X?
Should we use Technology A or Technology B to do Function X?
We currently use Method A to do Function X. Should we be using Method B?
Based on your findings while developing your proposal and progress report, and the work you’ve completed since completing your progress report, your recommendations could vary from “the status quo is fine” to “more time to research solutions is needed” to “we must/should take action immediately.”
Preparation
You are nearing the end of your project (i.e. your deliverable), with many tasks completed. As you continued your research, you’ve discovered other feasible options to implement your deliverable. For example, if your deliverable is to create a website for your company, you may have compared/contrasted potential web hosting providers to consider. Your supervisor has asked that you send them a final report that reviews your project, demonstrates the work you’ve done/tasks you’ve completed, evaluates the options you’ve researched, and provides recommendations for the next course of action.
Applying the techniques we have covered in this learning module and utilizing the recommendation report template (see template link under “Formatting Requirements” heading below), you will build off of your progress report assignment to compose a brief recommendation report for your supervisor. You will continue to create reasonable real-world context, conduct research, and share your findings (evidence) in your document.
Your recommendation report must include the following sections:
Title page
Centered, bold title: Recommendation Report for [include deliverable]
Prepared for: Recipient’s (Your supervisor) first and last name, title/position, company name (left aligned)
Prepared by: Your first and last name, title/position, company name (left aligned)
Centered date in Month day, year format
Introduction
In two to three paragraphs, identify the purpose of your report, provide background about the problem or opportunity that led to the project (deliverable), and briefly describe your sources of evidence (which will be explained in greater detail in the “Methods” section), significant findings (which will be explained in greater detail in the “Results” and “Conclusions” sections), and recommended courses of actions (which will be explained in greater detail in the “Recommendations” section). You may include information from your previous proposal and progress report to provide background about the problem/opportunity and deliverable. If necessary, define key terms that are relevant to your project/deliverable in the introduction. Finally, conclude your introduction with an advance organizer; that is, a statement that alerts your reader of what you will discuss in your report (see Chapter 6: Writing for Your Readers > Writing Clear, Informative Titles and Headings). For example: In the remaining sections of this recommendation report, I will provide details about the research conducted, the results/findings, interpretations of my findings, and recommended courses of action. Include APA-style parenthetical citations when integrating evidence.
Methods
The Methods section of your report will answer the question, What did you do? In one to two paragraphs, describe the research you’ve conducted and the actions you’ve taken. In the Methods section, reflect on the tasks you’ve completed, as described in your proposal and progress report. Include APA-style parenthetical citations when integrating evidence.
Results
The Results section of your report will answer the question, What did you see or determine? In one to two paragraphs, identify your findings from the Methods section. The Results section should be completely objective; that is, do not provide your opinion/interpretation of your findings (this will be included later, in the Conclusions section of your report). In the Results section of your recommendation report, you must create and embed at least one graphic that illustrates the results of your research and/or deliverable. Acceptable types of graphics to include in your recommendation report: table, bar graph, infographic, line graph, pie chart, diagram, organization chart, flowchart, and logic tree. Include APA-style parenthetical citations when integrating evidence.
Conclusions
The Conclusions section of your report will answer the question, What does it mean? In one to two paragraphs, interpret your findings from the “Results” section. Include APA-style parenthetical citations when integrating evidence.
Recommendation(s)
The Recommendation(s) section of your report will answer the question, What should we do? In one to two paragraphs, recommend the best course of action. Here, you will clearly state what you think should be the next step (i.e. no further changes necessary because the project is now complete, further research/changes must be made, immediate action is recommended, etc.). You may present more than one option/recommendation. Include APA-style parenthetical citations when integrating evidence.
References
You must cite at least three credible sources in your recommendation report. Include a list of References in APA style of documentation. See Course Content > Learning Module: Documenting Sources/APA Style Requirements.
If you plan to seek feedback from an online tutor before you submit your assignment for grading, please allow at least 48 hours for correspondence/feedback from the online tutor. See Course Information > Link: Free Tutoring for Atlantic Cape Students for more information.
As with all professional correspondence, please review, proofread, revise, and edit before submitting your document for grading.
Grading Rubric
See Course Information > Link: Technical Writing Syllabus. Scroll down to Assignment Descriptions and Rubrics heading and review Rubric: Writing Assignment 03 – Recommendation Report.
Formatting Requirements
Length: Three to five pages (not including title page)
Line/paragraph spacing: Single spaced, with double spacing between paragraphs and headings.
Font typeface: Times New Roman
Font size: 12
Style of documentation: APA style. See Course Content > Learning Module: Documenting Sources/APA Style Requirements.
File name: When saving your document, include your last name and title of the assignment (for example, birdsong-recommendation)
Method of submission: Assignment must be attached/uploaded to this Assignment link. See Course Content > Submit an Assignment video. Emailed submissions are not accepted.
Accepted file types: Microsoft Word (.docx) or PDF
Note for non-Microsoft Word users: If you cannot save your file as a Word document (.doc or .docx), please save this and all files in Portable Document Format (.pdf). See Course Content > Helpful Resources: Word-Processing Tutorials folder for brief how-to videos about how to save as Word and/or PDF using different word-processing programs/software.
