he examines a report. Nelson (1952, p. 23-34) has made an excellent study of 

 this important point. 



Too frequently a report does not have text between some of the headings. 

 For instance, a section is sometimes introduced only by a series of headings 

 arranged in descending order, the text in that section beginning with a minor 

 topic. Such a lack of introductory and explanatory material is to be disparaged 

 because the reader is given no general orientation to, or concept of, the subject 

 that the text in that particular section should provide. 



It is essential that the relative importance of headings as listed in the table 

 of contents be indicated clearly in the text by positioning on the page and by 

 capitalizing and underlining in a typed manuscript. Figure 39-1 illustrates a 

 a format for three levels of headings. Four levels of headings are usually ar- 

 ranged so that the first- and second-order headings are centered on the page, 

 while the third- and fourth-order headings have the same format as those at 

 the left margin in Figure 39-1. Five levels of headings may be provided by 

 placing the first two in the center of the page and the third, fourth, and fifth 

 at the left margin. However, use of more than four levels of headings raises the 

 problem of offering the reader sufficient typographic contrast, a problem that 

 may be solved by the use of a numbering system such as that described by 

 Ulman (1952, p. 149-152). 



The following sample outlines of reports are from the files of several major 

 oil companies. 



OUTLINE FOR GEOLOGICAL REPORT 



I. Title 



The title of the report should be brief but specifically descriptive. Two thirds of a 

 report on "The Mesozoic Stratigraphy of Alaska" should not be devoted to economic 

 geology. 



II. Abstract 



The abstract, which should be prepared from the final draft of the report, should 

 contain only the essentials of the problem and should include general information on 

 area location, stratigraphy, structure, correlation, and economic products. The 

 abstract should encourage the reader to read the report. 



III. Acknowledgments 



One should acknowledge all those who have given assistance during preparation of 

 the report (identifying fossils, classifying rocks, photographing specimens, checking 

 field and laboratory data, criticizing manuscript, drafting, surveying, etc.). Recog- 

 nition whenever and wherever it is due adds to the value of the report. 



IV. Introduction 



The introduction of any report must be organized and presented to give the reader 

 proper orientation to the text. Such topics as location and size of area investigated, 

 purpose and method of investigation, and previous geologic studies of the area should 

 be treated. The subject material included under this heading will, of course, vary 

 with the type of problem involved and the purpose of the report. 



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