REPORT WRITING

Source: University of Canberra Academic Skills Centre Report Writing

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, but you should check with your lecturer for more detail on what is expected.
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

A report should generally include the following sections.
(Sections marked with an asterisk (*) are essential: others are optional depending on the type, length and purpose of the report.)
• Letter of transmittal
• Title page*
• Table of contents
• List of abbreviations and/or glossary
• Executive summary/abstract
• Introduction*
• Body*
• Conclusion*
• Recommendations
• Bibliography
• 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