(五)调查结果(Findings)
报告的调查结果部分是报告建议的依据,其内容应当准确无误,结构清晰,语言流畅、衔接。这部分内容的每一个段落都应当有一个明确的主题句,一般放在段首,这样便于读者摄取这部分的信息。以下是这部分主题句写作的常见句型:
· The findings of the investigation indicate that…
· It was proposed/found/ felt/discovered that…
· It was generally the case that…
· Most people thought/suggested that…
· A number of people mentioned that…
· Several changes were put forward.
· Several staff members expressed the view that… 若报告中需提供图表统计数据或描述行情走势,撰写人应当熟悉这方面写作的常用句型,以下就是该方面写作的一些典型句子结构:
· The table/chart/graph/diagram/figure/statistics shows/describes/illustrates that…
· As it can be seen from the table/chart/figure…
· It is clear/apparent from the table/chart/graph/diagram/figure/statistics that…
· The number of…increased/jumped/rose suddenly/rapidly/dramatically from…to…
· The number of…decreased/dropped/fell greatly/significantly sharply from…to…
· The number of…fluctuated slowly/slightly between…to…
· The number of…remained steady/stable (stayed the same) between…to…
· There was a (very) sudden/rapid/dramatic/significant increase/jump/rise in the number of…from…to…
· There was a (very) sharp/steep/steady/gradual/slow/slight decrease/drop/fall in the number of…from…to…
· The monthly profit/figures peaked in December at 10%.
· The monthly profit/figures reached a peak/a high (point) in December at 10%.
· The monthly profit/figures bottomed out in December at 10%.
· Sales witnessed a great rise/increase/drop/fall between…to…
(六)结论(Conclusions)
报告的结论部分是写报告的人在报告调查结果的基础上是对调查结果进行总结和解释。同一调查结果会因为撰写者的不同而得出不同的结论,但这部分不应当包括报告前文中没有提到的新的信息。
(七)建议(Recommendations)
建议往往是许多商务报告写作的最重要部分。一份报告有效程度常常取决于报告中所提供的建议的质量高低。建议部分主要内容为报告撰写人在经过充分的论证后认为应当采取的措施或行动。报告人有时也会描述采取措施后可能出现的后果或情形。
(八)附录(Appendices)
正式的商务报告为了增强报告的说服力或真实性往往会有一些附加材料,因其篇幅较长不宜放在报告当中,只能选择放在附录中。这部分内容可能包括图表统计数据、实验室报告、问卷调查等。当然,简短报告若无此需要则不需增加附录部分。
五、如何提高商务英语报告的可读性
许多人在写完报告之后往往会遗忘或忽视报告写作的最后一个过程:对报告进行编辑排版,使之结构清晰,内容便于读者阅读。报告中所增加的一些信息或符号如同公路上路标指引这司机开车一样为读者降低阅读难度,加快阅读速度,这一点对争分夺秒的商业人士来说尤为重要。以下是一些提供报告可读性的常见手段:
· 为报告提供小标题;
· 使用小段落,尽量做到每个小话题都用一个段落来阐述;
· 段落与段落之间空一行;
· 提供段落的小标题;
· 使用列举符号罗列具体信息;
· 使用星号或下划线强调重点内容。
下面为一份非正式报告的两种形式,毋庸置疑,右边经过编辑后的版本结构清晰、层次分明,内容清楚、一目了然,其格式不论是对写正式报告还是非正式报告都值得借鉴。
Proposed Incentive Scheme
Mr. John Smith, Office Manager, has asked me to write this report on a proposed incentive scheme offering rewards, possibly financial, to members of staff for money-saving ideas or ways to improve work practices.
A sample of workers was individually asked for their opinions. The following is the findings: most thought the incentive scheme was a good idea; most preferred financial rewards; some suggested time off instead; A few thought this was a management area. In general most workers were in favor of an incentive scheme offering financial rewards. It is recommended that the scheme be introduced.
Richard Stewart
March 18, 20-- Report on A Proposed Incentive Scheme
Terms of Reference:
Mr. John Smith, Office Manager, has asked me to write this report on a proposed incentive scheme offering rewards, possibly financial, to members of staff for money-saving ideas or ways to improve work practices.
Proceedings:
A sample of workers was individually asked for their opinions.
Findings:
u Most thought the incentive scheme was a good idea.
u Most preferred financial rewards.
u Some suggested time off instead.
u A few thought this was a management area.
Conclusions:
In general most workers were in favor of an incentive scheme offering financial rewards.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that the scheme be introduced.
Richard Stewart
March 18, 20--
总之,在商务英语各类报告的写作过程中若能抓住以上几点来写,不愁无从下笔。当然,这还要学习者平时英语知识和商务知识的积累,才能达到更好的效果。