第四講報(bào)告的正文部分TheBodyofaReport

1、The第四講報(bào)告的正文部分Body of a Report第四講報(bào)告的正文部分Lecture Four The Body of a ReportThe Body of a report con sists of three major parts. They are:In formati on Gatheri ng Method and Procedure收集信息的方 法和程序Prese ntati on of Findings調(diào)查結(jié)果Discussi on and In terpretati on of Findings討論和闡釋調(diào) 查結(jié)果收集信息的方法和程序In formation Gat

2、heri ng Method and ProcedureThis sect ion is in cluded in the Body only if the author feels that the readers will find the details of the method importa nt and are genuin ely in terested in readi ng it. If the method is commonly known, it is just briefly mentioned.Example 4AMost of the information i

3、n this report was derived from the Civil Services Prospectus 2003. Some of it came from in terviews with key civil serva nts and trade union leaders of the Civil Services Branch of the Federal Civil Services Un io n. The major findings of an in depe ndent survey con ducted by Marti n Marketi ng Con

4、sulta nts last mon th were also in corporated.這份報(bào)告的主要信息來自2003年國內(nèi)公務(wù)員專 刊。亦有些信息來源于對(duì)公務(wù)員領(lǐng)導(dǎo)層及公務(wù)員 職工工會(huì)公務(wù)員分部的主要工會(huì)領(lǐng)導(dǎo)者的采訪。另外，上個(gè)月圣馬丁市場(chǎng)顧問公司進(jìn)行的獨(dú)立調(diào)查， 其主要結(jié)果頁包含在這份報(bào)告里。在示例4A中所有的動(dòng)詞均使用過去時(shí)態(tài)。使用過去時(shí)態(tài)的目的是為了說明收集信息的過 程所做的工作。注意這里經(jīng)常使用被動(dòng)語態(tài)。Exercise 4.1Identify all the main verbs used in Example 4A.Exercise 4.2Write a paragraph

5、stat ing how the in formatio n relati ng to a report on project man ageme nt was collected. You may find the verbs and notes provided in the boxes below helpful.Derive （源于）come （來自）con duct （得出）in corporate（包含）In formati on from computer journals（來自于計(jì)算機(jī)刊物的信息）In terviews with project man agers and sy

6、stems an alysts（采訪計(jì)戈 V主管和系統(tǒng)分析員）Findings of a recent survey by our man ageme nt staff on aspects of projectman ageme nt, with special refere nee to pla nning and con trol（我們的管理人員，對(duì)計(jì)劃管理情況特別是相關(guān)計(jì)劃和控制情況的調(diào)查結(jié)果）調(diào)查結(jié)果Prese ntati on of Findings這個(gè)部分羅列的是調(diào)查結(jié)果。這個(gè)結(jié)果一般都是針對(duì)某些問題進(jìn)行調(diào)查后得到的。在研究 報(bào)告中，這部分內(nèi)容成為對(duì)調(diào)查結(jié)果的說明。為了有效地說明

7、調(diào)查結(jié)果，必須提供清楚和 正確的事實(shí)。換句話講，對(duì)調(diào)查結(jié)果的說明應(yīng)當(dāng)是：準(zhǔn)確精確Exactprecise and withoutexaggerati on而不夸張Objective can be measured by objective sta ndards and free of personal bias客觀一以客 觀標(biāo)準(zhǔn)驗(yàn)證 而不存在個(gè) 人的偏見Reliable the source of in formati on and method of data collecti on should be clearly specified so that the data can be ve

8、rified. This lends credibility to the report and shows its reliability.可信一信息 來源和收集 數(shù)據(jù)的方法 應(yīng)當(dāng)是清楚 的，并能夠經(jīng) 得起檢驗(yàn)，以 此說明報(bào)告 的內(nèi)容是確 鑿和可靠的。在提供事實(shí)前，首先要考慮的是如何組織材料。有許多組織材料和數(shù)據(jù)的方法可供選擇， 例如，根據(jù)時(shí)間或不同的題目，如財(cái)富、收入、人口、國家、雇員、產(chǎn)品等。有時(shí)許多標(biāo) 準(zhǔn)看起來都很適合。但是方法的選擇必須與報(bào)告的目標(biāo)相一致。請(qǐng)?jiān)敿?xì)閱讀下列報(bào)告的題 目：The Wool Trade of Australia: 2000-2004(2000-2004年澳大

9、利亞的羊毛貿(mào)易)At first gla nee, a nu mber of categories seem appropriate. They in elude timereport ing onthe seque nee of eve nts in a chrono logical order, annu ally from 2000 to 2004; in come byyear or amount; coun tries by major buyers an d/or key competitors; Australia n wool famers by state or volume

10、 of bus in ess/product ion; etc.s wcThe Choice should be based on the purpose or objective(s) of the report. For in sta nee, if the report merely aims to provide a descripti on of the seque nee of eve nts in Australia trade during the years in question, then time would be the most appropriate criter

11、ion.However, if the purpose the report is to carry out a SWOT an alysis (Stre ngths. Weak nesses.Opport un ities and Threats) of Australias wool trade, then time may not be the bestcriteri on. In stead, coun tries could serve as a more appropriate criteri on. A SWOT an alysis of the major buyers and

12、 key competitors of Australian wool (by country) could provide the require in formati on .It could also gen erate a sound basis for in dustry forecasts.Example 4BStudy the passage below which attempts to prese nt findin gs.詳細(xì)閱讀下面的文字，嘗試羅列某項(xiàng)調(diào)查的結(jié)果。This laptop computer is very light and small. It comes

13、with a suite of applicati ons software which users will find useful. It has large memory capacity and runs off dry batteries. Battery life is also Ion ger.這個(gè)手提電腦既輕又小，它配置的軟件非常有用， 記憶儲(chǔ)存量大并能使用干電池。干電池的使用期比There are four statements in Example 4B. Although all of them try to describe aspects of the laptop

14、computer in question, they are too vague. Specific information on units of weight or dimensions should be provided. Moreover, when making comparisons, it is vital to provide a com mon basis for the comparis on. Such a basis is lack ing in the last stateme nt in Example 4B.Below are some suggesti ons

15、 for improveme nt.This laptop computer is very light and small. Three parts in this sentence require specific information. This laptop computer can be replaced by the model or brand name of the computer, e.g. The ZX99 computer. The phrase very light should be replaced by the actual weight of the com

16、puter, e.g. 0.3 kg. The word small should be replaced by the actual dimensions, e.g. 1.5*21*30 cm, about the size of an A4 pad .It comes with a suite of applications software which users will find useful. The phrase a suite of applications software is too vague. If examples such as alarm, calculator

17、, calendar, database, diary, prin ter-editor, spreadsheet, term in al, word-processor , etc are give n, the readers will find the information more useful.手提電腦中的計(jì)算機(jī)軟件非常有用。這句話中的計(jì)算機(jī)軟件交代得不夠清楚。應(yīng)當(dāng)交 代這些軟件中包括：鬧鐘、計(jì)算器、日歷、數(shù)據(jù)庫、日志、打印編輯、報(bào)表、終端機(jī)、文 字處理器等，這樣，讀者可以獲得更多有用的信息。It has large memory capacity and runs off dry

18、 batteries. The memory capacity of the computer is not quantified. A factual account requires the phrase large memory capacity be replaced by data such as 20 Mbyte RAM and 4Mbyte ROM built in, expandable readily to 100 Mbyte RAM . It is also helpful if the number of batteries required and their type

19、 are specified, e.g. two AA lithium batteries.Batter life is also Ion ger. In this stateme nt, the basis for comparis on is lack ing. The phrase also Ion ger should be replaced by the actual battery life such as at least 300 hours of full-facility computing .Example 4CBelow is a clearer and more acc

20、urate prese ntati on of the facts for a report.The ZX99 computer weighs 0.3 kg. Its dime nsions are 1.5*21*30 cm, about the size of an A-4 pad. It comes with a suite of applicati ons software: alarm, calculator, cale ndar, database, diary, prin ter-editor, spreadsheet, termi nal, word-processor, etc

21、 which the user will find useful. It has 20 Mbyte RAM and 4 Mbyte ROM built in, readily expandable to 100 Mbyte RAM. It uses two AA lithium batteries which provide atleast 300 hours of full-capacity computi ng.As we can see, it is important to distinguish between facts and opinions ion a report. For

22、 example, a sales person is not providing factual information when he writes the following:由此我們可以了解，在報(bào)告中區(qū)分事實(shí)與觀點(diǎn)是非常重要的。例如，一名銷售人員起草下 面的報(bào)告時(shí)，未能夠提供確實(shí)的信息：A lot of watches were sold this mon th.The problem here is that the in formati on give n is too vague and only represe nts the author ' s opinion. T

23、he phrase lot of only provides an opinion. If it is replaced by a specific quantity, e.g. 967 watches, his supervisor would know exactly how many watches were sold. Therefore, the senten ce:967 watches were sold this month.It is factual as it gives specific information. Other phrases such as I feel,

24、 it seems, it seems to me, in my opinion, in my view, we believe, in our opinion , etc show that the author(s) is/are only providi ng an opinion.Moreover, if the phrase this month is replaced by the actual n ame of the month in questi on, e.g. in March , the readers will find it even easier to follo

25、w the message. So the following sentence is the best one to in clude in the Prese ntati on of Findings secti on of a report.967 watches were sold in March.Exercise 4.3Read the passage below and complete the table by putting a V in the appropriate column.The present staff development scheme appear to

26、 be a failure. Only 3% of the company' s staffreceived funding through the scheme last year. Less than 10% of the budget allocated was spent. It seems that the majority of staff are unaware of the existence of the scheme. In our opinion,promoti onal work on the scheme has bee n largely in adequa

27、te.現(xiàn)行的員工發(fā)展計(jì)劃看來是失敗的。去年只有3%的員工獲得該項(xiàng)計(jì)劃的撥款，花掉的不到預(yù)算的10%。看來多數(shù)員工不知道該項(xiàng)發(fā)展計(jì)劃的存在。我們認(rèn)為，該項(xiàng)計(jì)劃的推廣宣 傳工作做得不理想。InformationFactOpinion1. Present staff development schemea failure現(xiàn)行的員工發(fā)展計(jì)劃失敗2. 3% of the company ' s staff receive funding last year去年，只有3%的公司員工獲得計(jì)劃 的撥款d3. Under 10% of the allocated budget was spe nt分配給

28、該計(jì)劃的預(yù)算只花掉不到10%4. Majority of staff unaware of scheme多數(shù)員工不知道這項(xiàng)發(fā)展計(jì)劃的存 在5. Promotional work on scheme largely in adequate該計(jì)戈劃的推廣工作做得不理想討論和闡釋結(jié)果Discussi on and In terpretati on of FindingsAfter providi ng an acco unt of the facts, you n eed to discuss and in terpret the results. You should also point out

29、 the sig nifica nee of the results to your readers.在提供了事實(shí)后，報(bào)告需討論和闡釋結(jié)果，并應(yīng)向讀者指出結(jié)果的重要性。Example 4DRead the passage below which provides an acco unt of facts.Since the early 1960s, Sin gaporea n banks have acted swiftly to develop new tech no logy to perfect their level of customer service.Nowadays, cust

30、omers have the convenience of deposit ing and withdraw ing their money in any bank in Sin gapore 24 hours a day, seve n days a week. There is absolutely no need for them to rush to a bank to beat the 4:30 pm closing time. Withdrawing cash during a weekend or on a public holiday is simply done via a

31、convenien tly located Automatic Teller Machine (ATM).To date, the Sin gaporea n finan cial in dustry has established 2,800 ATMs and a network of 19,000 outlets in retail stores for electronic fund tran sfers. For Sin gaporea n customers, their n earest ATM is just round the cor ner their n earest lo

32、cal shopp ing cen ter.In Example 4D, a nu mber of facts have bee n in cluded:The developme nt of new tech no logy by Sin gaporea n banks since the early 1960s.Nowadays, Sin gaporea n customers can deposit and withdraw money 24 hours a day, seve n days a week.Automatic Teller Mach ines (ATMs) havebro

33、ught about this convenien ce.To date, there are 2,800 ATMs and a network of 19,000 outlets in retail stores for electronic fund tran sfers.In a report, these facts would be followed by a nu mber of con clusi ons. While it is reas on able to expect that most authors would draw their own conclusions i

34、n a sensible and logical manner on the basis of the facts presented, it often happens that different people have differe nt in terpretati ons of the same facts, thus draw ing differe nt con clusi ons. This is why all facts must be provided clearly, so as to afford all readers the opport unity of exa

35、m ining them. On the basis of the facts, they could draw their own conclusions. However, it is the privilege of authors to provide their in terpretati ons of the facts, draw their own con clusi ons and have these recorded in the report.Now read Example 4E below which provides an in terpretati on of

36、the facts provided in Example 4D.Example 4ESin gaporea n banks have always aimed at providi ng their customers with the best service. Automatic Teller Machi nes (ATMs) have provided Sin gaporea n customers with a great convenien ce: a roun d-the-clock deposit and withdrawal service.The large nu mber

37、 of ATMs and the vast n etwork of retail outlets in Sin gapore en sure that an ATM machi ne is always close by.Whe n writi ng an in terpretive stateme nt, be careful n ot to over-ge neralize. Study the follow ing example:Example 4F With the latest adva nces in gen etic engin eeri ng, pare nts are no

38、w able to choose the in tellectual levels of their babies.基因工程學(xué)的最新發(fā)展是，現(xiàn)在父母能夠選擇他們 孩子的智力水平。To date, gen etic engin eeri ng has made remarkable adva nces. However, it is com mon kno wledge that the adva nee claimed in the above stateme nt is based on an over-ge neralizati on. Therefore, the stateme nt

39、is a typical example of over-ge neralizati on, an error which you should avoid.Study the example below and decide whether it is a factual or an in terpretive stateme nt.詳細(xì)閱讀下面的示例，判斷它是事實(shí)還是闡釋說明。Example 4GJoy Shampoo has a much larger market share than Luck Shampoo because of its packagi ng. 由于包裝的原因，歡樂

40、洗發(fā)液的市場(chǎng)份額遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)高于 幸運(yùn)洗發(fā)液。Primarily, the stateme nt in the example serves an in terpretive fun cti on .It ide ntifies that the reas on Joy Shampoo has a larger market share tha n Luck Shampoo is its packagi ng, thus establishi ng a causal relati on ship betwee n market share and packagi ng. However, for ca

41、use-effect relati on ships to be logical and valid, facts and figures should be provided as evidenee. As the statement includes neither concrete facts nor figures, its purpose is primarily in terpretive.Now study the facts give n in the passage below.Example 4HAccord ing to the survey, 82% of resp o

42、ndents in dicated a prefere nee towards Joy Shampoo rather tha n Luck Shampoo. 78% of resp ondents thought that Joy Shampoo has deluxe packagi ng, 69% poin ted out that the bottle was easy to hold, 65% reported that it con trolled dan druff well and 59% suggested that it had a nice fragra nee.調(diào)查顯示，被

43、調(diào)查者中，82%的人喜歡歡樂洗發(fā)液， 78%的人認(rèn)為歡樂洗發(fā)液包裝美觀，69%的人指出 瓶裝洗發(fā)液易于使用，65%的人認(rèn)為歡樂洗發(fā)液能 夠有效去除頭皮屑，59%的人認(rèn)為該洗發(fā)液氣味芳 香。Whe n you write an in terpretive stateme nt, you must show the logical relati on ship betwee n cause and effect clearly. An example of an in terpretive stateme nt of the above facts is provided below.Exampl

44、e 41As both Joy Shampoo and Luck Shampoo use the same in gredie nts and formula in their producti on process, the success of the former product may be attributed to its packagi ng.歡樂洗發(fā)液和幸運(yùn)洗發(fā)液在生產(chǎn)加工過程中，使用 的原料和配方相同。然而，歡樂洗發(fā)液特別暢銷， 是因?yàn)樗陌b收到歡迎。Exercise 4.4Write an in terpretive stateme nt. Use Example 4F

45、as a model.Exercise 4.5State whether the followi ng stateme nts are factual (F) or in terpretive (I) by putt ing avfnthe appropriate colu mn.StatementFI1. While 77% of French drives who resp on ded to the survey showed a prefere nee towards small cars, 23% rema ined un decided.The findings suggest t

46、hat small cars are popular with French drivers and could sell well.2. The salaries were found to be on par with (處于同一水平) those of our key rivals.So this factor cannot acco unt for the high tur no ver that the compa ny is experie ncing at prese nt.It seems that other factors such as work ing con diti

47、 ons and emigrati on trend have all con tributed to the problem.3. Upon delivery, one of the boxes was found to be broke n. A subseque nt in specti on revealed that 26 pairs of trousers and 39 pairs of jea ns were miss ing.They could either falle n from the broke n box or been stolen in transit.4. T

48、he survey revealed that 89% of resp ondents preferred rice as their key fiber for regular meals while the rema in der stated that they preferred no odles and pasta （通心粉）.The results of the survey in dicate that among the resp ondents surveyed, rice is overwhelm in gly the most popular fiber for regular meals.It can be inferred that rice would have a good market in the comm un ity from which the sample was draw n.總結(jié) SummaryThis Chapter discussed the Body of a report. It in corporates th