Final answer:
Progress reports are typically used when graded reports are inappropriate, as they offer a detailed narrative on progress rather than a single grade. They are especially useful in conveying a deeper understanding of performance and development outside of the traditional grading system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Progress reports are used to fulfill reporting requirements when graded reports are inappropriate. Unlike graded reports that often summarize performance with a single letter grade, progress reports provide a detailed narrative and description of project or student performance, discussing developmental milestones, achievements, challenges, and future expectations. In educational settings, this approach can be more informative, especially when numerical or letter grades do not adequately reflect the student's learning journey or project development. Analytical reports, such as those in lab or research contexts, typically analyze and present information, often including visual elements like graphs and charts, whereas narrative sections may provide context and discuss implications. When numbers are collected, they could be reported categorically, but this might not always convey the depth of information required - progress reports can bridge that gap. Understanding the various types of reports is critical in business and academia, and to that end, students are often introduced to the creation and interpretation of different report genres. For example, formal reports in social sciences, natural sciences, technical fields, and business include not only laboratory and research reports but also proposals, all relying on data, analysis, and structured presentation. Informal reports, like those in journalism, can range from day-to-day news reporting to in-depth investigative work. All these expose students to the diversity of reporting and prepare them for appropriate communication in different rhetorical situations.