Technical Writing week of November 3

Analytical Report

            The word “analysis” is actually very simple in meaning. It means to break something into its component parts, to see how it is put together. Still, for many students, it is a mystery word, a process that is something like an old-fashioned meat grinder. You put the meat in one end, and it comes out all chopped up on the other end. What happens in between the ends can sometimes seem mysterious, especially if a student is trying to get a handle on just what it is.

            Analytical reports call on you to answer questions, to ask why something happens, which product is best, or is an idea good. Analytical reports call for research, interpretation, and recommendation. And when you work within particular professional contexts, analysis often means very specific things involving your particular skill set and expertise.

            More than any other type of technical writing, analytical reports call on you to use critical thinking skills. They require you to analyze a problem, to analyze the work that has been done before on that problem, and to recommend a solution. Analytical reports also call for self-criticism and objectivity on your part to come to the best solution.

Objective: Explain the strategy of a website that you investigate and write a report identifying your research and make a recommendation of how and why Luttke should use this website over others in it’s category.

Report must include, but is not limited to:

1.     Introduction

2.     Main page of website – it’s purpose, allure, points of entry for other pages.

3.     Identity created by the website – elements that create a sense of continuity based on theme, color, mood, and tone.

4.     Ways to apply the information (identify audience with age range and gender; usefulness of website)

5.     Interpretation of usefulness of website design- your interpretation

6.     Comparison of this website to others in its category or interest area.

7.     Conclusion – overall effectiveness of website – your interpretation.

*You must include a presentation map – “screenshot” of the main page of your website, and other pages of the website as you reference them in your analysis.

*Title will be the website name and URL

*You should include a graphic when comparing your website to other similar websites.

*You will use APA formatting for sources and Works Cited