Report Writing: Student Academic Support

Report Writing Student Academic Support

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

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

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 sub-headings.

Always needs references & a bibliography.

May not always need these.

Meant to be read carefully.

Meant to be scanned quickly.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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’

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

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.

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 ).

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.

Useful Links

• http:// www.canberra.edu.au/studyskills/writing/repo • http:// www.lc.unsw.edu.au/onlib/report.html • http:// www.plainenglish.co.uk/reportguide.html • http:// owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext / • http://vlib.abertay.ac.uk/Contents.cfm?Key=0