Report
writing is an essential skill for professionals.
A
report aims to inform, as clearly and succinctly as possible.
Below
we give some general guidelines. A report is similar to an essay in that both
need:
- formal style
- introduction, body and conclusion
·
analytical
thinking
·
careful proof-reading
and neat presentation
A
report differs from an essay in that a report:
·
presents
information, not an argument
·
is meant to be
scanned quickly by the reader
·
uses numbered
headings and sub-headings
·
uses short,
concise paragraphs and dot-points where applicable
·
uses graphics
wherever possible (tables, graphs, illustrations)
·
may need an
abstract (sometimes called an executive summary)
·
does not always
need references and bibliography
·
is often followed
by recommendations and/or appendices
Presentation
and style are important. First impressions count, so consider these simple
tips:
·
use plenty of
white space
·
ensure the
separate parts of your report stand out clearly
·
use subheadings
·
allow generous
spacing between the elements of your report
·
use dot points/
numbers/ letters to articulate these elements
·
use tables and
figures (graphs, illustrations, maps etc) for clarification.
·
number each page
·
use consistent
and appropriate formatting
·
use formal
language
Avoid
these:
·
the inclusion of
careless, inaccurate, or conflicting data
·
the inclusion of
outdated or irrelevant data
·
facts and
opinions that are not separated
·
unsupported
conclusions and recommendations
·
careless
presentation and proof-reading
·
too much emphasis
on appearance and not enough on content.
A report aims to inform, as clearly and
succinctly as possible. It should be easy to read, and professional in its
presentation. See student’s IT report below.
Report Layout
Every report should be designed to permit the reader to quickly
assess it for points of interest and direct attention to the detailed
discussions on these aspects.
In the case of industrial training reports, a suggested
arrangement is as follows:
Title page
Report summary or abstract clearly stating the
number of days of employment
Acknowledgments
Table of contents
Introduction
Body of report
Conclusion
References
Appendices