A short report and a long report are two main forms of report categorization based on the length and procedure of the report. The mean of any report, whether long or short is to be clear so that the information that is projected to be accepted on is easily understood.
Difference between Short and long reports
A short report is generally called an informal report while a long report is usually referred to as a formal report. Long reports present a range and an in-depth view of a problem or idea. It also requires lots of studies and is much more widespread. For a short report, it is suitable to write it in a letter or memo format, but for a long report, it must be written in a very prearranged style.
Although short and long reports are common in many respects, still some differences exist between them. Some of their differences are highlighted below:
- Need for introductory elements: Short reports need a little introductory element
- Dominance of order: Usually shorter reports begin directly with conclusions and recommendations.
- Writing style: the Writing style is Rat personal in than reports
- Need for Coherence plan: Coherence plan is less important in short report.
- Personal Relation: In short report personal relationship may exist between the writer and reader.
- The degree of formality: Short reports are informal in nature.
- Nature of problem: It is written for routine and recurring problems.
- Length: Short report writing is usually completed in a page or two. As the name implies, a short report is very short in length.
- Reader: A short report is regularly written for someone within’ the organization. It is used when the reader’s time is very limited and the full feature of the subject is not needed.
- Writing: Short reports follow deductive writing styles. It highlights facts and particular recommendations. It avoids analysis and inclusion of underneath information.
Long report
- Need for introductory elements: Ling reports contain some introductory elements in sequences.
- The dominance of order: Long report begins with prefatory contents highlighting the problem statement, objectives, scope, methods followed, etc.
- Writing style: In a long report, the writing style is formal and impersonal.
- Need for Coherence plan: Well-designed coherence plan is very important.
- Personal Relation: Personal relationship is unlikely to exist between the writer and reader.
- The degree of formality: Long reports are usually formal in nature.
- Nature of problem: A Long report is suitable for Complex and non-recurring problems.
- Length: A long report is not at all possible to be completed in a page or two. A long report usually includes some particular pages (e.g. prefatory page) that do not appear in short reports.
- Reader: A long report is written for someone within the organization or outside the organization.
- Writing: A long report on the other hand, after analyzing and interpreting the draws conclusion and makes recommendations.
Short reports being informal do not necessitate comprehensive preparation and enclose varieties of formats. A long report being formal needs careful planning before it is written because preparation focuses on your reader(s).
