Business Report How to write an IEB Business Report 25Sept2020 1

Summary

This presentation script outlines the essentials for writing a business report for an IB exam. It emphasizes the report's format, including addressing the report, the date, and the author. The report should have a concise topic and be well-organized with an introduction, body, and conclusion. It advises on using business terminology, incorporating 50 facts, and linking current affairs to the topics. The script also explains the marking rubric, highlighting lower and higher order thinking skills, such as substantiation, application, creative problem-solving, and synthesis. It stresses the importance of integrating examples and current affairs to enhance the report's quality and score.

Takeaways

• 📝 The business report for an IB exam should follow a specific format including addressee, date, author, and a concise topic.
• 🖋️ The report should be well-structured with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion to earn format marks.
• 📈 The introduction should define key concepts, link topics, and state the purpose of the report without repeating the question.
• 📊 The body of the report should include facts, explanations, examples from the industry, and strategies for problem-solving.
• 🔗 Current affairs should be integrated into the report to link to the discussed topics, enhancing the relevance of the content.
• 🤝 Teamwork and other topics can be integrated into the discussion of external business challenges to create a cohesive argument.
• 💡 Creative problem-solving is essential, and the report should present innovative strategies and solutions.
• 📑 The conclusion should affirm the recommendations made in the report, repeating a solution and suggesting a new one.
• 📈 The IB rubric assesses both lower order thinking (format, terminology, content) and higher order thinking (substantiation, application, creative problem-solving, synthesis).
• 🏆 To achieve high marks, the report must include a balance of industry examples and current affairs, as well as a clear flow of thought and integration of topics.

Q & A

What are the key elements of a business report format for an IB exam?

The key elements include addressing the report to the intended recipient, the date, the author's name (using 'compiled by' at the end or 'from' at the beginning), and a short and sweet topic. These elements are essential to earn the first two marks.

How should the 'from' section be written in a business report?

The preferred way to write the 'from' section is by using 'compiled by' at the end of the report. However, it is also acceptable to state 'from' at the beginning of the report.

What is the purpose of the introduction in a business report?

The introduction should expand upon the topics required by the question, define concepts related to each topic to create context, and clearly state the purpose of the report without repeating the question.

Why is it important to include current affairs in a business report?

Including current affairs is important as it helps to integrate real-world examples into the response, which can enhance the quality of the report and demonstrate the application of business concepts to current events.

How many current affairs should be included in a business report?

It is recommended to include at least three current affairs to effectively link to the topics discussed in the report.

What is the role of the body section in a business report?

The body section contains most of the content and should include facts, explanations, examples related to the industry, problem-solving strategies, and integration of topics. It should not be labeled as 'the body' but rather use relevant headings and subheadings.

How should the conclusion of a business report be structured?

The conclusion should affirm the recommendations made in the report by repeating one of the solutions or strategies provided and suggesting a new strategy.

What does the 'substantiation' in the higher order thinking skills of the rubric mean?

Substantiation means that facts need to be explained and statements made in the report must be justified, which is part of the higher order thinking skills assessed in the rubric.

How many marks are allocated for lower order thinking skills in the IB business report rubric?

The lower order thinking skills, which include format, terminology, and content, total 30 marks in the rubric.

What is the significance of 'synthesis' in the higher order part of the rubric?

Synthesis in the higher order part of the rubric refers to the integration of various aspects such as the introduction, conclusion, flow of thought, and other business-related topics to enhance the quality of the answer and the development of arguments.

Why is it crucial to balance examples and current affairs in the application section of the report?

Balancing examples and current affairs is crucial because it demonstrates the ability to apply business concepts to real-world contexts, which is a key aspect of the higher order thinking skills assessed in the rubric.