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How to write a report

prepared by: Carmela Briguglio and
Julie Howe
presented by Julie Howe
CBS Communication Skills Centre


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How to write a report
Purpose
Audience
clear
formal
academic and business language
- non-specialist language

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What does a report contain?

Cover Page
Acknowledgements [if appropriate]
Contents page/s
Executive summary
Introduction [purpose/ problem/issue]
[Method] research only
Body of the report
[divided according to topic/findings etc]
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What does a report contain?
Conclusion
[solution/ recommendations]
References
Recommendations [where]
Attachments
Terms and acronyms used [or at front]
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How to write a report
Executive Summary

objectives of the report (also in introduction)
scope of the report (also in introduction)
sources of information and their limitations
findings
recommendations
conclusions
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How to write a report
Introduction

provide overview of main strategic issues
related to this case

define objectives of the report

mention any limitations (with data)
encountered in researching and writing the
report

define the scope of the report
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How to write a report

Main body of report
literature review of main issues (you create the
headings)

company analysis section (not a heading!)
company description (not a heading)
external analysis (not a heading)
internal analysis (not a heading)

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How to write a report
Conclusion
summarise main findings
what are the implications of these findings?
objectives of the report - fulfilled?
were the specified sources of information
used/useful?
DO NOT introduce any new information at this
stage!
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Layout of Reports
Introduction
[Body]
paragraph1
(idea 1)
evidence,
evidence,
evidence
paragraph 2
(idea 2)
paragraph 3
(idea 3)
etc
Conclusion
Executive
Summary
Recommendations
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Layout of Assignments
[introduction]
refer to
question
what will
cover/overview
of answer
[Body]
paragraph1
(idea 1)
evidence,
evidence,
evidence
paragraph 2
(idea 2)
paragraph 3
(idea 3)
etc
[Conclusion]
conclude your
argument
tie up all
aspects
no new detail!
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How to write a report
Recommendations
Strategic evaluation and recommendations
Again - no new information here!
Are the recommendations realistic?
Are the recommendations well supported?
Why were other possible solutions not
recommended?
How should the recommendations (ie for action)
be carried out?
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How to write a report

Referencing Academic journals
Hard copy
Kur, E., 1996, The faces model of high
performing team development, Leadership
and Organisational Development Journal,
Vol. 17, No 1, pp. 32 41.

Electronic (database)
La Rosa, S.M., 1992, Marketing slays the
downsizing dragon, Information Today, vol.
62, no. 1, pp. 6-22. Retrieved: June 12, 2000,
from Information Access/Expanded
Academic.

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How to write a report

Referencing Websites
no author, just company website
Nike, 2004, Making trainers. Retrieved: 29
July, 2004 from http://www.nike.com

no author, no article title, just company
website
Nike, 2004. Retrieved: 29 July, 2004 from
http://www.nike.com