Recommendation Report Review Checklist
Use this checklist as you are developing and proofreading your Recommendation Report. Perfection is the goal to show professionalism and build credibility.
This checklist is a guide to identifying the fundamental elements of a report.
1. Proofread your report for errors and complete the self-review checklist
2. Have a peer, faculty member or professional review your report once you believe it is perfect.
Document Format
Layout, margins, spacing, balance, page numbers, headings, graphics, visual appeal, usability
Does your report match the sample report in format?
Did you use correct business letter format?
Each paragraph is single spaced and left justified within the body of the letter with a blank line between paragraphs
Did you use 10-12 point font size with proper margins?
Have you used an appropriate font style and size? (i.e., easy to read and not distracting fonts include Arial, Calibri, Verdana, Times New Roman, Georgia, Lucida, Tahoma, or Trebuchet)
Is all the text black?
Are margins visually appealing and even on all sides? (One-inch margins all the way around will ensure that no information gets cut off if a paper copy is printed.)
Are indentations consistent and visually appealing?
Is your report about two full pages in length? (much less than that means you haven’t been thorough)
Did you make sure not to accidentally include a blank page?
Organization
Introduction, body and conclusion; topic sentence; one idea per paragraph; transitions
Is the report organized according to the structure provided in the sample report?
Are at least two options detailed in the options section of the report?
Is the recommended option the final option reviewed in the options section of the report?
Writing Style/Coherence
Conciseness; clarity; sentence structure; word choices; flow of ideas
General
Is wording clear and concise?
Have you written like the genuine person you are — not sounding robotic, jargon-filled, or exaggerated?
Are the words and phrases entirely your own? (i.e., you didn’t steal phrasing from the sample report or another source)
Have you avoided being overly wordy or redundant?
Have you used variety in wording and sentence structure and avoided too many short, choppy sentences and overly long, complex sentences?
Have you used paragraphs and structure to separate ideas and aid understanding?
Have you used format and design techniques (e.g., bullet points, headings, indentation) when appropriate to improve readability?
Is the flow of your writing logical and easy to follow?
Have you used proper verb tense?
Have you used parallel wording when listing things like job duties or skills?
Have you avoided abbreviating entries that may not be known or obvious to the reader? Always make sure to spell out any abbreviation or acronyms in full upon their first use, followed by the acronym in parentheses.
Is your message thorough enough to build credibility and persuade a skeptical audience toward your recommendation?
Problem Statement Section
Does the Problem section have a heading with a clear and concise description (no more than about six words?
Options Sections
Does the each option section have a heading with a clear and concise description (no more than about six words?
Recommendation and Conclusions Sections
Is one option and recommended and a clear rationale provided?
Have you made it clear and believable that your recommendation will have a positive impact on the organization and is worth the investment in time, expense, etc.?
References Sections
Are references formatted according to APA or MLA standards? Is the proper level of detail provided?
Message
Thoroughness; factual support; logic; critical thinking; appropriate use of citations; persuasive and evidence driven; audience-focused
General
Is your message thorough enough to build credibility and persuade a skeptical audience toward your recommendation?
Are document design techniques (bullets, lists, tables, charts, etc.) used when appropriate to enhance readability and understanding?
Introduction Section
Is a clear, concise explanation given that helps the reader know the approach taken to preparing your report?
Problem Statement Section
Is there a clear, thorough explanation provide for the problem you are addressing in you report?
Are data and observations used to demonstrate the magnitude of the problem in a way that shows the importance of resolving the problem (or capitalizing on the opportunity)?
Are sources cited to aid in explaining or quantifying the problem (or opportunity)?
Options Sections
Is the option presented so that the reader clearly understands what it is and how it works?
Are the advantages and disadvantages of the option thoroughly explained?
Are costs and/or cost savings estimated in a logical way?
Are sources cited to aid in explaining or quantifying the option?
Recommendation and Conclusions Sections
Is one clear option recommended including rationale?
Technical Correctness
Grammar; spelling; punctuation
Is your Recommendation Report perfect in terms of grammar, spelling and punctuation? (i.e., no careless typos, spelling errors, grammar errors, etc.)
Did you have at least two meticulous people proofread it?
Have you used punctuation marks properly?
Is punctuation consistent throughout the document?
Is the use of periods (or lack of periods) perfectly consistently? (including elements such as bullet points)
Is spacing of punctuation (commas, dashes, text) proper and consistent?
Have you avoided run-on sentences or fragments?
Have you avoided any unclear or awkward wording or structure?
Did you avoid accidentally using any extra space before characters?
Is the use of capitalization perfectly consistent? (including elements such as bullet points and listed skills)
Have you capitalized items properly and consistently?
Capitalization of job title
Capitalize a job title when it comes immediately before the person’s name (e.g., Professor Menon, President Biden), in a formal context, in a direct address, or as part of a signature line.
Do not capitalized if it comes after the person’s name, or if there is a “the” before it (e.g., “the marketing assistant position”).
Do capitalize names; proper nouns; names of cities, states/provinces, and countries; universities; languages; company names; brand names; and months)
When showing single-digit number, have you spelled them rather than using the digit? (e.g., “three” rather than “3”)
Have you spelled out any numbers that appear that the beginning of a sentence? (e.g., “Twenty-five employees were promoted in 2022.”)
Do figures with more than three digits include a comma (e.g., “$1,000”)
Have you properly spelled and capitalized any company names (e.g., Chick-fil-A)?
Common Feedback with Recommendation Reports
The instructions regarding format (including example report) were not closely followed, detracting from professional appearance. Missing elements include to/from/date/subject details, properly labeled and formatted section headings, references
Inconsistent spacing between paragraphs
Does the subject line clearly and concisely convey report topic?
Is there a problem heading that clearly and concisely states the problem explored?
Inconsistent capitalization of subject line and section headers.
Headings could be more succinct and should be capitalized
Are there headings for each option considered that provide a clear and concise understanding of the option?
The report lacks sufficient details needed to fully understand and assess the options considered such as how it would be structured, advantages, disadvantages and estimated costs (or savings).
More detail is needed for options considered, especially any disadvantages and costs.
Some paragraphs are quite long and loaded with details. Understanding and readability could be improved by modifying the format and using techniques such as bullet points.
Which one option is recommended was not clearly stated.
Have at least two sources been cited within the report?
Are reference details formatted properly?