Report Writing

Report Writing AFTERSCHOOOL centre for social entrepreneurship www.afterschoool.tk www.aftrschoool.tk

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. www.aftrschoool.tk

Essays Vs. Reports: common features. • Formal Style. • Both have an introduction, a main body and a conclusion. • Critical analytical thinking. • Well structured and presented.

www.aftrschoool.tk

Essays Vs. Reports: differences. Essay

Report

Presents an argument.

Presents information.

Generally no abstract.

Usually has abstract.

Rarely needs recommendations or appendices.

Usually has both.

Rarely includes graphics.

Includes graphics.

Linked paragraphs develop a flow of ideas.

Uses bullet points & lists.

Minimal sub-headings, if any.

Numbered headings and subheadings.

Always needs references & a bibliography.

May not always need these.

Meant to be read carefully. www.aftrschoool.tk Meant to be scanned quickly.

Report Structure. • • • • • • • • •

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

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. www.aftrschoool.tk

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. www.aftrschoool.tk

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. www.aftrschoool.tk

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. www.aftrschoool.tk

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. www.aftrschoool.tk

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. www.aftrschoool.tk

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’ www.aftrschoool.tk

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 www.aftrschoool.tk

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 sophisticationit 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. www.aftrschoool.tk

Referencing • Use the APA style or IIMA style • 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 ).

www.aftrschoool.tk

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. www.aftrschoool.tk

Useful Links • http://www.apastyle.org/