Report vs. Proposal — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 21, 2023
A report presents detailed information on a specific topic, while a proposal is a document suggesting a plan or action to solve a problem or seize an opportunity.
Difference Between Report and Proposal
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A report and a proposal, while ostensibly similar in being forms of formal written communication, deviate considerably in intent and construction. A report is typically a structured document that relays information or findings about a particular topic, often resulting from some form of investigation or research. On the flip side, a proposal essentially sets forth a plan or suggestion, oftentimes aimed at solving a particular problem or addressing a specific need, and seeks approval or support from its audience.
Reports usually culminate in a detailed account or analysis, providing the reader with insights into a topic or situation based on collected data and findings. In essence, the primary aim of a report is to inform. Conversely, a proposal is inherently persuasive in nature, offering a plan or idea and actively seeking to gain approval or acceptance for its implementation from its intended audience, making its primary aim to persuade.
A report, due to its informative and analytical nature, tends to be more straightforward and objective, strictly adhering to presenting facts, data, and findings without necessarily making recommendations or suggestions. In stark contrast, a proposal is, more often than not, forward-looking and speculative, providing suggestions, recommendations, and plans for the future, aiming to provoke action or approval from its recipients.
In terms of structural elements, a report typically encompasses sections like an introduction, methodology, findings, and conclusion, inherently focusing on providing a thorough exposition of information. A proposal, however, is inclined to encompass sections like an introduction, problem statement, proposed solution, and justification, which collectively work towards not only identifying a problem or opportunity but also advocating for a particular course of action.
Audience engagement also delineates a boundary between a report and a proposal. Reports generally do not necessitate a response or action from their audience, primarily serving to inform or update. Proposals, however, directly solicit a response, feedback, or approval from their audience, as they aim to initiate action or change based on the plan or suggestions laid out within the document.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Purpose
To inform
To persuade
Typical Structure
Introduction, Methodology, Findings, Conclusion
Introduction, Problem Statement, Solution, Justification
Nature
Objective, Analytical
Persuasive, Speculative
Audience Engagement
Generally does not require a response
Actively seeks approval/response
Temporal Focus
Present/Past
Future
Compare with Definitions
Report
A document providing detailed information on a specific topic.
The scientist compiled a report on the experiment's findings.
Proposal
A documented plan detailed to persuade or inform stakeholders.
The team created a business proposal to attract investors.
Report
A summary or account given of a particular matter.
She provided a weekly sales report to the manager.
Proposal
A formal suggestion or plan presented for acceptance.
He submitted a proposal for the new community project.
Report
An official document detailing an incident or situation.
The police officer filed a report regarding the traffic incident.
Proposal
A recommended action or strategy for consideration.
The consultant developed a proposal to enhance company efficiency.
Report
A summary of news provided by journalists.
The journalist delivered a live report from the event location.
Proposal
An act of putting forward a plan for deliberation.
The city council reviewed the new policy proposal.
Report
A formal account of the proceedings or transactions of a group
A company's annual report.
Proposal
The act of proposing.
Report
A spoken or written account of an event, usually presented in detail
A news report.
Reports of children getting food poisoning.
Proposal
A plan that is proposed.
Report
A person who is accountable or subordinate to another person within a company or organization
A manager with two reports.
Proposal
An offer of marriage.
Report
Reports(Law) Bound volumes containing the published court opinions in legal cases, intended to provide a reference for precedents in subsequent cases.
Proposal
Something which is proposed, or offered for consideration or acceptance
Report
Reputation; repute
We know him only by report.
Proposal
A scheme or design
Proposals for the construction of a new building
Report
(Archaic) Common talk; rumor or gossip.
Proposal
The terms or conditions proposed
To make proposals for a treaty of peace
Report
An explosive noise
The report of a rifle.
Proposal
The document on which such a thing is written.
Report
To make or present an official or formal account of
The study reported a decline in heart disease. The audit reports that the company lost money.
Proposal
The act of asking someone to be one's spouse; an offer of marriage
Report
To write or provide an account or summation of for publication or broadcast
Report the news.
Proposal
(legal) The offer by a party of what he has in view as to an intended business transaction, which, with acceptance, constitutes a contract.
Report
To tell about the presence or occurrence of
A burglar was reported in the area.
Proposal
That which is proposed, or propounded for consideration or acceptance; a scheme or design; terms or conditions proposed; offer; as, to make proposals for a treaty of peace; to offer proposals for erecting a building; to make proposals of marriage.
Report
To relate or tell, especially from personal experience
They reported that fallen tree limbs were blocking the road.
Proposal
The offer by a party of what he has in view as to an intended business transaction, which, with acceptance, constitutes a contract.
Report
To submit or relate the results of considerations concerning
The committee reported the bill.
Proposal
Something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)
Report
To carry back and repeat to another
Reported the rumor of a strike.
Proposal
An offer of marriage
Report
To complain about or denounce
Reported the students to the principal.
Proposal
The act of making a proposal;
They listened to her proposal
Report
To make a report
Would you please report on what happened?.
Report
To serve as a reporter for a publication, broadcasting company, or other news media.
Report
To present oneself
Report for duty.
Report
To be accountable or subordinate to someone
She reports directly to the board of directors.
Report
(transitive) To repeat (something one has heard), to retell; to pass on, convey (a message, information etc.).
Report
To take oneself (to someone or something) for guidance or support; to appeal.
Report
To notify someone of (particular intelligence, suspicions, illegality, misconduct etc.); to make notification to relevant authorities; to submit a formal report of.
For insurance reasons, I had to report the theft to the local police station.
Report
(transitive) To make a formal statement, especially of complaint, about (someone).
If you do that again I'll report you to the boss.
Report
(intransitive) To show up or appear at an appointed time; to present oneself.
Report
(ambitransitive) To write news reports (for); to cover as a journalist or reporter.
Andrew Marr reports now on more in-fighting at Westminster.
Every newspaper reported the war.
Report
(intransitive) To be accountable to or subordinate to (someone) in a hierarchy; to receive orders from (someone); to give official updates to (someone who is above oneself in a hierarchy).
The financial director reports to the CEO.
Now that I've been promoted, I report to Benjamin, whom I loathe.
Report
To return or present as the result of an examination or consideration of any matter officially referred.
The committee reported the bill with amendments, or reported a new bill, or reported the results of an inquiry.
Report
To take minutes of (a speech, the doings of a public body, etc.); to write down from the lips of a speaker.
Report
(obsolete) To refer.
Report
To return or repeat, as sound; to echo.
Report
A piece of information describing, or an account of certain events given or presented to someone, with the most common adpositions being by (referring to creator of the report) and on (referring to the subject).
A report by the telecommunications ministry on the phone network revealed a severe capacity problem.
Report
Reputation.
Report
(firearms) The sharp, loud sound from a gun or explosion.
Report
An employee whose position in a corporate hierarchy is below that of a particular manager.
Report
To refer.
Baldwin, his son, . . . succeeded his father; so like unto him that we report the reader to the character of King Almeric, and will spare the repeating his description.
Report
To bring back, as an answer; to announce in return; to relate, as what has been discovered by a person sent to examine, explore, or investigate; as, a messenger reports to his employer what he has seen or ascertained; the committee reported progress.
There is no man that may reporten all.
Report
To give an account of; to relate; to tell; to circulate publicly, as a story; as, in the common phrase, it is reported.
It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel.
Report
To give an official account or statement of; as, a treasurer reports the receipts and expenditures.
Report
To return or repeat, as sound; to echo.
Report
To return or present as the result of an examination or consideration of any matter officially referred; as, the committee reported the bill witth amendments, or reported a new bill, or reported the results of an inquiry.
Report
To make minutes of, as a speech, or the doings of a public body; to write down from the lips of a speaker.
Report
To write an account of for publication, as in a newspaper; as, to report a public celebration or a horse race.
Report
To make a statement of the conduct of, especially in an unfavorable sense; as, to report a servant to his employer.
Report
To make a report, or response, in respect of a matter inquired of, a duty enjoined, or information expected; as, the committee will report at twelve o'clock.
Report
To furnish in writing an account of a speech, the proceedings at a meeting, the particulars of an occurrence, etc., for publication.
Report
To present one's self, as to a superior officer, or to one to whom service is due, and to be in readiness for orders or to do service; also, to give information, as of one's address, condition, etc.; as, the officer reported to the general for duty; to report weekly by letter.
Report
That which is reported.
It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.
Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and . . . of good report among all the nation of the Jews.
Report
Sound; noise; as, the report of a pistol or cannon.
Report
Rapport; relation; connection; reference.
The corridors worse, having no report to the wings they join to.
Report
A written document describing the findings of some individual or group;
This accords with the recent study by Hill and Dale
Report
A short account of the news;
The report of his speech
The story was on the 11 o'clock news
The account of his speech that was given on the evening news made the governor furious
Report
The act of informing by verbal report;
He heard reports that they were causing trouble
By all accounts they were a happy couple
Report
A sharp explosive sound (especially the sound of a gun firing);
They heard a violent report followed by silence
Report
A written evaluation of a student's scholarship and deportment;
His father signed his report card
Report
An essay (especially one written as an assignment);
He got an A on his composition
Report
The general estimation that the public has for a person;
He acquired a reputation as an actor before he started writing
He was a person of bad report
Report
To give an account or representation of in words;
Discreet Italian police described it in a manner typically continental
Report
Announce as the result of an investigation, or announce something to the proper authorities;
Dozens of incidents of wife beatings are reported daily in this city
The team reported significant advances in their research
Report
Announce one's presence;
I report to work every day at 9 o'clock
Report
Make known to the authorities;
One student reported the other to the principal
Report
Be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism;
Snow reported on China in the 1950's
The cub reporter covered New York City
Report
Complain about; make a charge against;
I reported her to the superviser
Report
A written account given by students or researchers.
The student submitted a report on ancient civilizations.
Common Curiosities
Can a report include recommendations?
While reports can include recommendations, they mainly focus on presenting findings and data.
What is the primary aim of a report?
A report primarily aims to inform by presenting data and findings.
What is the fundamental purpose of a proposal?
The proposal aims to persuade and seek approval for a suggested plan or action.
Should proposals contain data and findings?
Yes, to bolster the suggested plan, proposals often include relevant data and findings.
Are reports and proposals interchangeable?
No, they serve different purposes and are used in distinct contexts.
Can a report be subjective?
Reports should strive to be objective and impartial, focusing on data and findings.
Can a proposal be informal?
While proposals can be less formal in some contexts, they generally maintain a degree of formality.
Do proposals need to be justified?
Yes, proposals should justify suggested plans to persuade the audience of their viability.
Is a proposal forward-looking?
Yes, proposals often suggest future actions and are inherently forward-looking.
Do reports require feedback from the audience?
Generally, no—reports primarily aim to inform and typically don’t solicit feedback.
Should a report be structured?
Yes, reports should have a clear and structured format to convey information effectively.
Are conclusions mandatory in a report?
Most reports include a conclusion to summarize findings and potentially suggest further research.
What is usually included in a report’s methodology section?
The methodology section details the approaches, tools, and processes used to gather data.
Is audience engagement crucial for a proposal?
Yes, proposals seek to engage and persuade the audience to gain approval.
Are proposals always accepted?
No, proposals may be rejected, accepted, or accepted with modifications.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
