Effective Report Writing
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This article summarizes effective writing techniques for reports.
I. The typical structure is as follows:
II. Title, author, date.
III. Contents.
IV. Introduction and Terms of Reference (plan for report).
V. Executive Summary (containing main points of evidence, recommendations and outcomes.)
VI. (1-2 pages maximum)
VII. Background/history/situation.
VIII. Implications/issues/opportunities/threats, with source-referenced facts and figures evidence.
IX. Solution/action/decision options with implications/effects/results, including financials and parameters inputs and outputs.
X. Recommendations and actions with input and outcomes values and costs, and if necessary return on investment.
XI. Appendices.
XII. Optional Bibliography and Acknowledgements.
Map out your structure before you begin researching and writing your report.
Ensure the purpose, aims and scope of the report are clearly explained in your terms of reference.
The executive summary should be be very concise, summarising the main recommendations and findings. Provide interpretation of situations and options. Show the important hard facts and figures. Your recommendations should include implications, with values and costs where applicable. Unless yours is a highly complex study, limit the executive summary to less than two sides of standard business paper.
The body of the report should be divided into logical sections. The content must be very concise. Use hard facts and figures, evidence and justification. Use efficient language - big reports with too many words are not impressive. The best reports are simple and quick to read because the writer has properly interpreted the data and developed viable recommendations.
Do not cram lots of detail, diagrams, figures, evidence, references etc., into the main body of the report. Index and attach these references as appendices at the end of the report.
Where you state
This article summarizes effective writing techniques for reports.
I. The typical structure is as follows:
II. Title, author, date.
III. Contents.
IV. Introduction and Terms of Reference (plan for report).
V. Executive Summary (containing main points of evidence, recommendations and outcomes.)
VI. (1-2 pages maximum)
VII. Background/history/situation.
VIII. Implications/issues/opportunities/threats, with source-referenced facts and figures evidence.
IX. Solution/action/decision options with implications/effects/results, including financials and parameters inputs and outputs.
X. Recommendations and actions with input and outcomes values and costs, and if necessary return on investment.
XI. Appendices.
XII. Optional Bibliography and Acknowledgements.
Map out your structure before you begin researching and writing your report.
Ensure the purpose, aims and scope of the report are clearly explained in your terms of reference.
The executive summary should be be very concise, summarising the main recommendations and findings. Provide interpretation of situations and options. Show the important hard facts and figures. Your recommendations should include implications, with values and costs where applicable. Unless yours is a highly complex study, limit the executive summary to less than two sides of standard business paper.
The body of the report should be divided into logical sections. The content must be very concise. Use hard facts and figures, evidence and justification. Use efficient language - big reports with too many words are not impressive. The best reports are simple and quick to read because the writer has properly interpreted the data and developed viable recommendations.
Do not cram lots of detail, diagrams, figures, evidence, references etc., into the main body of the report. Index and attach these references as appendices at the end of the report.
Where you state