Formal Documentation, Business Writing, and Research Sources Defined

Formal Institutional and Public Writing

These documents are addressed to procedures related to public institutions. They are official and governed by specific rules regarding their wording and format. These may include the following:

• Note

  Texts similar to letters, used for requesting or reporting information. In some cases, they serve as a courtesy. These documents are read, answered by third parties, and filed in folders.

• Reporting

  Contains detailed information about a specific activity or event.

• Public Documents and Official Publications

  Documents issued by government entities that report on matters of general interest.

• Technical Writing

  Documents adhering to the formal requirements of a specific specialty or field.

• Forms

  Printed texts used to collect data, generate lists, receipts, or standardized records.

Essential Types of Business Writing

These are letters and documents used in commercial and administrative tasks. They are usually less regulated than official writing in terms of editorial requirements.

• Business Letters

  Written conversations respecting minimum conditions of order, precision, and clarity. This category includes circulars.

• Memoranda (Memos)

  Brief, clear, and tidy notes used to communicate information or important facts internally.

• Contracts

  Formal documents designed to regulate the rights and obligations of the involved parties.

Key Sources of Information and Research Materials

Other Sources of Information (Audiovisual and Digital)

This category consists of audiovisual materials, photographic archives, videos, and electronic encyclopedias (e.g., on CD-ROM). The Internet is also a primary source, allowing users to find documents, participate in chats, and utilize online shops.

Reference and Supplementary Books

Books are categorized based on the depth and scope of the information they provide:

• Supplementary Books

  Contain extensive information required for in-depth investigation of a topic.

• Reference Books

  Texts that contain concise information necessary for initial investigation or quick lookups. These include:

  • Encyclopedias

    Books that contain concise descriptions, definitions, and summaries across various subjects.

  • Dictionaries and Lexicons

    Books that contain the meanings of certain words, typically arranged in alphabetical order. Specialized types include biographical, regional, and geographical dictionaries.

  • Index

    Indicates where (page numbers) to find a particular topic within a text or collection.

  • Yearbooks

    Offer information on events and statistics that occurred during a specific year.

  • Manuals

    Provide a set of instructions to follow, often step-by-step.

  • Almanacs

    Publications containing basic facts, statistics, and astronomical data relevant to a specific year.

  • Atlas

    Contains maps, charts, and often explanatory text.

  • Bibliographies and Catalogs

    Texts that contain lists of books and other writings concerning a specific subject, author, or location.

  • Directories

    A text that provides contact information such as telephone numbers, addresses of persons, or names of institutions.

Periodicals

This category consists of information that appears with some regularity (daily, weekly, bi-weekly, etc.). Some common types are:

• Magazines

  These can be general, covering a variety of topics, or specialized, providing the latest information on a specific subject.

• Newspapers

  A means of social communication that provides information about current events in a town or region.

• Newsletters

  Publications that address specific issues or updates relevant to an organization or community.