How do you properly write a report?
- 1 Choose a topic based on the assignment.
- 2 Conduct research.
- 3 Write a thesis statement.
- 4 Prepare an outline.
- 5 Write a rough draft.
- 6 Revise and edit your report.
- 7 Proofread and check for mistakes.
- 3.1 Following are the parts of a report format that is most common.
- 3.2 Let us understand each one of them in detail.
- 3.3 Executive Summary.
- 3.4 Table of Contents.
- 3.5 Introduction.
- 3.6 Body.
- 3.7 Conclusion.
- 3.8 Reference.
- 5 Step Guide to Report Writing.
- Read the brief/terms of reference carefully. The brief should tell you: ...
- Plan each section. ...
- Relate findings to background research. ...
- Put yourself in the position of the reader. ...
- Edit ruthlessly and proofread.
Writing well isn't that difficult if you follow the 3 Cs – Clarity, Conciseness and Consistency. Here are some tips for achieving the 3 Cs. Clarity – Put yourself in your readers' shoes.
The sections are: 1. Introduction 2. Body of the Report 3. Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations.
An effective report presents and analyses facts and evidence that are relevant to the specific problem or issue of the report brief. All sources used should be acknowledged and referenced throughout, in accordance with the preferred method of your department. For further information see: Avoiding Plagiarism.
A good report is straight forward, honest description. It contains no lies, no deception, no fluff. It is neat, readable and to-the-point. It is well spaced, has titles and subtitles and is free of language errors.
- OVERVIEW: The overview is a brief summary which tells the reader quickly what the report is all. ...
- BACKGROUND: The background sets the scene for your reader. ...
- DISCUSSION: The discussion presents your findings. ...
- CONCLUSION: Conclusions briefly state the major points that can be drawn from the discussion.
- Decide on terms of reference. Many formal reports include a section that details the document's "terms of reference". ...
- Conduct your research. ...
- Write an outline. ...
- Write the first draft. ...
- Analyze data and record findings. ...
- Recommend a course of action. ...
- Edit and distribute.
- Several characteristics of a good report include: Precision. ...
- Accuracy of Facts. Information contained in a report must be based on accurate facts. ...
- Relevancy. The facts presented in a report should be accurate and relevant. ...
- Conciseness. ...
- Grammatical. ...
- Clarity. ...
- Presentation. ...
- Complete Information.