Report Writing

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Report Writing

• Student Academic Support

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What are reports?

• A clear and succinct way of presenting
  information.
• Can be quickly reviewed to get certain data.
• Looks professional.
• Writing them is a essential transferable skill.

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Essays Vs. Reportscommon features.

• Formal Style.
• Both have an introduction, a main body and a
  conclusion.
• Critical analytical thinking.
• Well structured and presented.

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Essays Vs. Reportsdifferences.
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Report Structure.( sections required for your
coursework.)

• Title page.
• summary/ abstract.
• contents list.
• Introduction.
• main body (NB this is not a heading for this
  section).
• Conclusions.
• Recommendations.
• Appendices.
• Bibliography.

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Introduction

• This should set the scene for the reader.
• Give an explanation of why
• your report was written.
• State the aims and objectives of your report.

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Introduction

• Give an outline of similar work
• which has been done in the past.
• Give an indication of the content covered in the
  report and the structure it will take.
• Give an outline of the methodology used.
• Give an indication of the limitations of the
  report.

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Main Body

• Should be divided into subsections
• to indicate the various stages in the
  investigation e.g. methodology, results etc.
• This section should provide details of key
  findings.
• It should not include opinions, conclusions or
  recommendations.

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Conclusion

• This should link the aims and objectives of your
  report to your findings.
• The main points of your report should be pulled
  together.
• Present an overview of your findings
• Give an indication of the consequences of your
  findings.
• NB No new data should be included in your
  conclusion.

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Recommendations

• Should follow on logically from
• your conclusion.
• Should be specific, measurable
• and achievable.
• Should propose how the problem can be improved by
  suggesting action that could be taken.

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Appendices

• Should include all
• supplementary information
• i.e. information which is not needed in the main
  body for the majority of reader to understand
  your report and be convinced by your reasoning.

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Writing Style for Essays and Reports

• Say what you have to say clearly and concisely.
• Write so your work is easy to read
• for the intelligent laymen.
• Write using reported style i.e. avoid
• using the first person i.e. I or we
• It is more appropriate to use more formal phrases
  e.g. It would seem It can be argued that or
  This can be criticised because

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Writing Style for Essays and Reports

• Avoid clichés and jargon unless it is the
  specialised language of your course.
• Clichés are words and phrases that are no longer
  effective because of over use e.g.raining cats
  and dogs or sick as a parrot.
• Try to ensure you use original phrases

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Writing Style for Essays and Reports

• Jargon is when complex language is used to put
  across simple ideas.
• Using jargon is not a sign of sophistication-
• it makes your writing difficult to follow.
• RULE - KEEP YOUR LANGUAGE SIMPLE
• However, you may have to use the specialised
  language of your course.
• Ensure that you explain all key terms in your own
  words.

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Referencing

• Use the Harvard system of
• referencing unless you are told
• otherwise by your tutor.
• You should reference only sources you have
  actually read yourself.
• 2 types of sources
• Those you actually quote from or specifically
  mention in your text.
• Sources you do not specifically mention
  (background reading ).

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Referencing

• References need to be cited at two places in your
  assignment.
• Cited in the text of your work at the point at
  which you refer to them
• All references must be listed, on a
• separate page, alphabetically by author in
• a bibliography at the end of your work.

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Useful Links

• http//www.canberra.edu.au/studyskills/writing/rep
  orts.html
• http//www.lc.unsw.edu.au/onlib/report.html
• http//www.plainenglish.co.uk/reportguide.html
• http//owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/
  reportW/
• http//vlib.abertay.ac.uk/Contents.cfm?Key007.001