The general purpose of a report is to persuade readers to do something, is that the same as getting your audience to change their minds about some important issue?
I am getting confused because by " getting your readers to do something (action) seems different then just changing someone's mind about something.
Yes, they often do have different purposes. For instance, if you want the reader to contribute to a particular charity, you assume the person already favors that charity, and you're trying to get him/her to do something about it, i.e., send money.
Sometimes the two purposes do overlap, though. At this point in the political campaigns for president, the main goal is to get readers to favor a particular candidate, i.e. change their minds. At a later stage, the campaigns will then try to get readers to do something, i.e. vote.
You raise a valid point about the distinction between persuading someone to take action and changing their mindset on an important issue. While these two objectives are related, they are not identical.
When we talk about persuading readers to do something in a report, it usually means encouraging them to take a specific course of action or make a decision based on the information presented in the report. The purpose here is to prompt a behavioral change, such as implementing new strategies, adopting a particular approach, or making a purchase.
On the other hand, changing someone's mind about an important issue usually involves altering their existing beliefs, opinions, or attitudes through the presentation of new evidence, logical reasoning, or emotional appeals. The goal is to impact their understanding, perception, or viewpoint on a particular subject matter.
While both objectives can be present in a report, it's important to understand that the primary purpose of a report may vary depending on its nature and intended audience. Some reports may primarily focus on persuading readers to take action, while others may prioritize changing their minds and shifting their perspectives on an issue.
It's essential to be clear about the ultimate goal of your report and align the content, structure, and language choices accordingly. Whether your aim is to convince readers to take a specific action or to alter their perspectives, understanding your audience and tailoring your approach to their needs and motivations will increase the effectiveness of your report.