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Writing A Report: Survival Guide

The document provides guidance on writing an effective report. It outlines that a report aims to address a specific problem or topic for a particular audience. It should define the problem, evaluate available evidence on the topic, and conclude by making recommendations based on the findings. An effective report is clearly structured with sections for an executive summary, introduction, main body, conclusion, and references. The main body should have a logical flow aided by headings and subheadings, and report the major findings of the research.

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Wendy Gu
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136 views

Writing A Report: Survival Guide

The document provides guidance on writing an effective report. It outlines that a report aims to address a specific problem or topic for a particular audience. It should define the problem, evaluate available evidence on the topic, and conclude by making recommendations based on the findings. An effective report is clearly structured with sections for an executive summary, introduction, main body, conclusion, and references. The main body should have a logical flow aided by headings and subheadings, and report the major findings of the research.

Uploaded by

Wendy Gu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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STUDYSmarter

Survival Guide
WRITING A REPORT
What is a report? Key considerations in a report
REPORT
Reports are widely used in When researching and writing your report,
the workplace. Report consider the following:
writing is therefore an
===--·= ti•==--=
i!!I:::
important skill to learn and Problem definition:
refine while at university.  What is the topic, problem or situation?
 Why is it a problem? Why does it need
to be researched? Why is it important?
Reports tend to be written for a specific  What is the scope of the problem?
purpose and a specific audience. They  What activity will you carry out to
require you to research and evaluate the address this problem (e.g. conduct a
evidence and present your findings in a survey, review the literature)? Why?
clear and logical format.
Target audience
Comparing reports and essays  Who is the report designed for?

A report is not an essay, although there are TIP


similarities between them. Both require:
Identifying your audience (the “client”)
 an introduction, body and conclusion;
allows you to determine how much context
 a formal style of writing; and
is required and whether you should use
 evidence to support any conclusions.
technical or non-technical terms.
However, while essays are structured
around an argument, reports are written Evaluation of evidence
with a practical problem or issue in mind.  What information needs to be collected
to address the question or problem?
 What does the available evidence
As a result, a report tends to be more suggest? Is there a general consensus
formally structured and direct than or conflicting findings? Do your results
essays, with features such as: suggest a particular solution?
 a table of contents;  What is the quality of the evidence?
 numbered headings and subheadings; Note any major gaps in the available
 page numbers; and literature. Reflect on the limitations of
 tables and figures to succinctly your own results.
summarise important information.
Possible solutions:
These features enable the  Given the available evidence, how can
reader (often a time-poor the problem be addressed? What do
executive) to quickly access you recommend? You can also
important information in the acknowledge any limitations of current
report and make a decision. approaches that may be in place.

Assignments 6
Structuring a report 6. Main body of the report: reports on the
major findings of your research. This
The precise format of a report may vary section should be structured so it has a
from unit to unit, so check with your marker clear and logical flow. Use headings and
to be certain. As a general guide, however, subheadings to organise the information.
reports often include the following elements: 7. Conclusion and recommendations:
succinctly summarises the report’s major
1. Title page: provides a succinct title that findings without introducing any new
states the major aim of the report. material. After summarising the findings,
2. Executive summary: summarises the suggest the best course of action based on
aims, major findings, conclusions and any the available evidence.
recommendations stated in the report. TIP
TIP
Make sure your recommendations flow
The executive summary should enable the logically from the information presented in
reader to gain a quick overview of the topic the main body of the report.
without needing to read the whole report.
8. Appendices: include supporting
documents that are too lengthy or detailed
3. Glossary: provides an alphabetised list to include in the main body of the report.
and definition of technical terms used.
9. References: provide a list of the sources
4. Table of contents: lists all the headings that have been employed in the report.
in the report with the page number for
where the section begins. Quick summary
TIP
An effective report:
Use the ‘Table of Contents’ feature in your
word processor to help create a Table of
Contents for your report.
 Unambiguously defines
the issue and the scope
of the analysis;
m-
 Provides an accurate
summary of the topic
5. Introduction: states the purpose, scope
that is suited to its
and approach of the report. You may also
audience; and
(briefly) include background information,
 Is clearly structured so
define key terms, and introduce relevant
the reader can quickly scan and
literature. However, save most of this
understand it.
discussion for the main body of the report.

Like this Survival Guide? Why not check out more of our guides...
Lab Reports, Writing a Literature Review, Writing a Book Review, Writing an Annotated Bibliography,
Starting Assignments, Opinion Articles, Reflective Writing, and Using Turnitin.

Want to know more about STUDYSmarter?


Find out about all our services and resources at: www.studysmarter.uwa.edu.au

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This resource was developed by the STUDYSmarter team for UWA students. When using our resources,
please retain them in their original form with both the STUDYSmarter heading and the UWA logo.

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