ES2002 Report - Writing the Report

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Writing the Report
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Drafting the Report

• Distinguish the Functions of the Report Sections
• Ensure Coherence at All Levels of the Report
• Acknowledge Data in Report from Secondary Sources
• Edit and Proofread the Report

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Basic Divisions of a Formal Report

• Prefatory Parts
• Supplementary Parts
• The Report Proper

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Prefatory Parts

• Title Page
• Letter of Authorisation
• Letter of Transmittal
• Table of Contents
• List of Illustrations
• Executive Summary

May include
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Supplementary Parts

• References (Sources)
• Endnotes
• Appendix

May include
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The Report Proper

• Introduction
• Findings
• Conclusions
• Recommendations

Includes
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Ensure coherence at all levels of the report

• provide introductory comments
• use general statements/topic sentences
• use transitional devices
• incorporate charts tables into text

8
Acknowledge Data in Report from Secondary Sources

• Author-Date System (Lee, 2000 67)
• Superscript System led to a 12
• increase in profits.1

9
Edit and Proofread

• Check the Substance and Style
• Check for Consistency and Errors
• Ensure the report is Attractive and Neat

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• Remember the 5 Cs

• Clarity
• Conciseness
• Coherence
• Correctness
• Courtesy

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MY SPELLING CHEQUER
Eye halve a spelling chequer It came with my pea
sea It plainly marques four my revue Miss steaks
eye kin knot sea. Eye have run this poem threw
it I am shore your pleased two no Its letter
perfect awl the weigh My chequer tolled me sew.
Sores unknown
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• Spell-check Non-errors

e.g. too / to / two their / there
its / its
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Elements of a Well-written Report

• Carefully constructed outline
• Logical, consistent content
• Accurate information
• Clear writing style
• Neat and attractive presentation

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Something to think about

• Some say report writing reflects the culture of
  specific corporate cultures. What do you
  understand by this assertion? Can you give
  examples of how reports reflect workplace
  cultures?