a. Formal communication refers to official communication that follows pre-defined channels in an organization. It typically flows through hierarchical structures and can take the form of reports, memos, official meetings, and emails.

b. Attributes of an effective communication system:

1. Clarity: The message must be clear and easily understood.
2. Consistency: Communication should be consistent in tone, style, and content.
3. Feedback Mechanism: The system should allow for feedback from the recipients to ensure understanding.
4. Appropriate Channels: The use of proper channels for different types of communication, whether formal or informal.
5. Timeliness: Communication should be timely to ensure that information is relevant and actionable.

c. Features of effective reports:

1. Clear purpose: The report must have a clear and specific objective.
2. Conciseness: The report should be brief and to the point.
3. Accurate and relevant information: All the information must be correct and relevant to the subject matter.
4. Logical structure: The report should be well-organized with a logical flow of ideas.
5. Actionable recommendations: The report should offer practical and implementable solutions.
6. Proper formatting: The report must follow a professional format that enhances readability.

d. Features of bad reports:

1. Unclear purpose: The report lacks a defined goal, making it difficult to follow.
2. Lengthy and disorganized: The report is overly long and lacks structure, causing confusion.
3. Inaccurate or incomplete information: Important data is missing or incorrect, leading to poor decision-making.
4. Unprofessional presentation: The report is poorly formatted, which makes it difficult to read and understand.