Creating Your Title Page

Overview

Flowchart showing this is the second item in the report's front matter: 1. Letter of Transmittal: Introduce the primary readers to the purpose and content. 2. Title Page: List the title, author, and date as well as the recipient. 3. Abstract: Provide a brief technical summary for readers familiar with the topic. 4. Table of Contents: List headings and sub-headings with page numbers or links. 5. Executive Summary: Summarize the background, findings, and implications for management. — The Sections of the Front Matter of the Recommendation Report

Create the title page for your Recommendation Report, following the examples and details from the textbook. Your title page is one of the first things someone will see when they look at your report. It is also an easy piece of your report to write. The hardest part is writing a strong title.

Where You Can Find Help

From Markel & Selber, Chapter 18:
- The details on a title page, from p. 495:
  “A title page includes at least the title of the report, the name of the writer, and the date of submission. A more complex title page might also include a project number, a list of additional personnel who contributed to the report, and a distribution list.”
- Example title page, on p. 506 (part of the sample recommendation report in Figure 18.8).
- “Writing Clear, Informative Titles,” on pp. 193–194 (in Chapter 9)
Effective Report Titles (page in Canvas)
LinkedIn Learning video, “The importance of a clear title page” (3m 51s), from the Technical Writing: Reports course.

How You Do It

Add your report title about one-third down the page, following these guidelines:

Choose a report title that clearly indicates the subject and scope of your report.
Be sure that your title is specific. See Effective Report Titles for help.
Avoid using the assignment name as the title. Likewise do not mention the course name or number.
Format the title so that it stands out as the most important thing on the page. You can use the built-in headings in your word processor. See the Tech Tip on p. 55 for help.

Skip a few blank lines, and add the label Prepared for: and then the names and positions of the readers of the report.
Skip another blank line, and add the label Prepared by: and then your name as the writer of the report.
Skip down a few more blank lines, and add the date that the report was submitted.
If desired, include the name or logo of the organization at the bottom of the page.
See the example title page in the Sample Recommendation Report, on p. 506, for help.
Move on to the next part of your report that you want to work on.