Unit 4 Summaries,notes,reports
Objectives
Focus
Warming up
4.1 Summarizing a conversation
4.2 Using notes to write a report
4.3 Planning and editing a report
Sum-up
Assignment
objectives
This unit deals with how to take notes in
business contexts,how to summarize
conversations and how to plan and write
reports,It's a unit which can be used
either as an introduction for students with
little experience in report- and summary
writing.
Focus
? Sharpening and practicing note-,
summary- and report-writing
? Practice in the preparatory and planning
stages of all serious and professional
writing activities
Warming up
In business we only write reports when we are asked
to,normally by our boss or superior,Many people are
afraid of writing reports,In this unit we want to show
how note taking and report writing can be made
easier,The unit takes up some of the elements of
Unit 2 on letters,e-mails,faxes and memos,but it
concentrates on the more specialized skill of writing
reports and making summaries of conversations.
4.1 Summarizing a conversation
? This section introduces the topic of using
English for different purposes in business.
? Taking notes on information you hear and
summarizing the main points of a
conversation are very important
communication skills when using English in
business.
A warm-up discussion
Business English is used in various ways,
Further discussion questions:
Which of the methods are you familiar with?
How often do you use the methods illustrated
in your own work?
How effective do you find them? How easy or
difficult are they for you to do in English?
B Listening
Different styles of notes may be suited
to different circumstances,Numbered
notes may well be useful for ‘easy
reference’,More discursive notes may
be appropriate as ‘a record for the files’,
Listen to the recording two times.
look at the three notes and choose the
best one.
Listen to the recording again,And draft
your own summary in the way,which
you find the most appropriate.
4.2 Using notes to write a report
Look at the notes
Use and summon up your already existent
resources,
Expand the notes into paragraphs and
connected text
Refer to File 67 and compare the model to yours
4.3 Planning and editing a report
? In a business context there are many things you
should do before you even think about ‘writing’ or
how you are going to write the report.
? Work in groups of four and number the items.
Suggested answers
? 1,Assemble the material (item 6)
? 2,Plan the report (item 1,2,5,7,9,10)
? 3,Draft the report (item 3,4,13,15)
? 4,Edit the report (item 7,8,11,14,16)
Part B C D
Read the memo in part C
Read the report in part D
Work in pairs,and draft an improved report
together,
Compare your report with the Model report in
File 69.
Some of the reasons why the Model report is
better are
? Numbering sections helps
? There is a clear introduction
? There is a conclusion
? In between there is the main body of the
report
Sum-up
? How to make a smooth phone call
? How to make request,offer help and
ask permission
? Some methods of taking massage.
? How to prepare a phone call
Assignment
? A role-play activity.
? Practice about taking notes during
telephone conversations.
Objectives
Focus
Warming up
4.1 Summarizing a conversation
4.2 Using notes to write a report
4.3 Planning and editing a report
Sum-up
Assignment
objectives
This unit deals with how to take notes in
business contexts,how to summarize
conversations and how to plan and write
reports,It's a unit which can be used
either as an introduction for students with
little experience in report- and summary
writing.
Focus
? Sharpening and practicing note-,
summary- and report-writing
? Practice in the preparatory and planning
stages of all serious and professional
writing activities
Warming up
In business we only write reports when we are asked
to,normally by our boss or superior,Many people are
afraid of writing reports,In this unit we want to show
how note taking and report writing can be made
easier,The unit takes up some of the elements of
Unit 2 on letters,e-mails,faxes and memos,but it
concentrates on the more specialized skill of writing
reports and making summaries of conversations.
4.1 Summarizing a conversation
? This section introduces the topic of using
English for different purposes in business.
? Taking notes on information you hear and
summarizing the main points of a
conversation are very important
communication skills when using English in
business.
A warm-up discussion
Business English is used in various ways,
Further discussion questions:
Which of the methods are you familiar with?
How often do you use the methods illustrated
in your own work?
How effective do you find them? How easy or
difficult are they for you to do in English?
B Listening
Different styles of notes may be suited
to different circumstances,Numbered
notes may well be useful for ‘easy
reference’,More discursive notes may
be appropriate as ‘a record for the files’,
Listen to the recording two times.
look at the three notes and choose the
best one.
Listen to the recording again,And draft
your own summary in the way,which
you find the most appropriate.
4.2 Using notes to write a report
Look at the notes
Use and summon up your already existent
resources,
Expand the notes into paragraphs and
connected text
Refer to File 67 and compare the model to yours
4.3 Planning and editing a report
? In a business context there are many things you
should do before you even think about ‘writing’ or
how you are going to write the report.
? Work in groups of four and number the items.
Suggested answers
? 1,Assemble the material (item 6)
? 2,Plan the report (item 1,2,5,7,9,10)
? 3,Draft the report (item 3,4,13,15)
? 4,Edit the report (item 7,8,11,14,16)
Part B C D
Read the memo in part C
Read the report in part D
Work in pairs,and draft an improved report
together,
Compare your report with the Model report in
File 69.
Some of the reasons why the Model report is
better are
? Numbering sections helps
? There is a clear introduction
? There is a conclusion
? In between there is the main body of the
report
Sum-up
? How to make a smooth phone call
? How to make request,offer help and
ask permission
? Some methods of taking massage.
? How to prepare a phone call
Assignment
? A role-play activity.
? Practice about taking notes during
telephone conversations.
