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Comparison and Contrast of Report Types
Capella University
ENG1250-Intro to Tech and Bus Writing
Comparison and Contrast of Report Types
In professional communication, the ability to convey information effectively is important.
Two common types of reports used in various fields are informative and persuasive reports.
While both aim to communicate information, they differ significantly in their purpose, approach,
and intended outcomes. This paper examines the key characteristics of informative and
persuasive reports, comparing and contrasting their various aspects to provide a comprehensive
understanding of when and how to use each type.
, Informative Vs. Persuasive Reports
Informative reports primarily aim to provide factual information about a specific topic,
event, or situation (Bovée & Thill, 2021). Their main objective is to educate the reader by
presenting data and insights in an unbiased manner, without attempting to sway opinions or
encourage specific actions. These reports are meticulously researched and organized to ensure
that the information presented is accurate, comprehensive, and easy to understand (Berger,
2010). Informative reports are typically written for audiences seeking factual information. This
audience can include decision-makers who need reliable data to make informed choices,
stakeholders who require updates on certain developments, researchers looking for detailed
information on a specific subject, or general readers who are interested in learning more about
the topic at hand (O’Keefe, 2016). For example, a healthcare report detailing patient outcomes
and treatment efficacy rates is designed to inform medical professionals about the effectiveness
of various treatments. The goal is to present the data objectively so that healthcare providers can
evaluate the information without being influenced in their clinical decisions. In contrast,
persuasive reports are crafted with the specific intent of convincing the reader to adopt a
particular viewpoint or take a specific action (Zarefsky, 2017). Unlike informative reports, which
09:30:33 GMT -05:00
Comparison and Contrast of Report Types
Capella University
ENG1250-Intro to Tech and Bus Writing
Comparison and Contrast of Report Types
In professional communication, the ability to convey information effectively is important.
Two common types of reports used in various fields are informative and persuasive reports.
While both aim to communicate information, they differ significantly in their purpose, approach,
and intended outcomes. This paper examines the key characteristics of informative and
persuasive reports, comparing and contrasting their various aspects to provide a comprehensive
understanding of when and how to use each type.
, Informative Vs. Persuasive Reports
Informative reports primarily aim to provide factual information about a specific topic,
event, or situation (Bovée & Thill, 2021). Their main objective is to educate the reader by
presenting data and insights in an unbiased manner, without attempting to sway opinions or
encourage specific actions. These reports are meticulously researched and organized to ensure
that the information presented is accurate, comprehensive, and easy to understand (Berger,
2010). Informative reports are typically written for audiences seeking factual information. This
audience can include decision-makers who need reliable data to make informed choices,
stakeholders who require updates on certain developments, researchers looking for detailed
information on a specific subject, or general readers who are interested in learning more about
the topic at hand (O’Keefe, 2016). For example, a healthcare report detailing patient outcomes
and treatment efficacy rates is designed to inform medical professionals about the effectiveness
of various treatments. The goal is to present the data objectively so that healthcare providers can
evaluate the information without being influenced in their clinical decisions. In contrast,
persuasive reports are crafted with the specific intent of convincing the reader to adopt a
particular viewpoint or take a specific action (Zarefsky, 2017). Unlike informative reports, which
09:30:33 GMT -05:00
