Guidelines for the progress report

This page gives you the basic specifications for your progress report, as well as offers you planning guidelines to follow:

Basic Specifications

When preparing the progress report, keep the following basic guidelines in mind:

The progress report should be 2-3 pages in length.
It should be set up as a memo addressed from you to me.
It should include all of the basic sections addressed elsewhere at the progress report site, plus supplemental problem sections as needed, with appropriate headings and subheadings.
Single-space within the sections, but doublespace between sections.
Follow any other pertinent guidelines given in class.

Planning Guidelines:

Purpose

There are 3 basic ones:

To increase your summarizing skills through brief presentation of your research and/or writing progress to date;
to acquaint you with the production of various types of reports; and
to inform me that you are working toward your group goals.

Audience

Someone (ME) who will be aware of what research tools are available to you, who will want to know what sort of work you are accomplishing and what you still have left to do.

Evidence

Add pertinent detail to explain how you have researched, to whom you have talked about the issue, what you have discovered, any problems you are experiencing, whether you think you will meet your designated goals, etc.

Organization

You should

introduce the report by discussing its purpose and reminding the reader of the purpose of the analytical report (to remind him/her of your role in it);
then you should identify and discuss what work has been completed;
then identify and discuss what work is yet to be completed.

Alterations (if there are any) will be discussed in class. For additional help, please see the Sample Progress Report at our web site.

Format

Set up the report in memo format, with me as the recipient and you as the sender.
Body of the document should be single-spaced, with doublespacing between sections (above & below headings).
Use appropriate headings & subheadings.
Do not include: a cover page a table of contents illustrations

Tone

Friendly. Confident. Perhaps a bit more conversational, but careful to avoid slang.

Source http://ebbs.english.vt.edu/jm/twol_progrep/progrep2.html

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