Personal Tutor Study Guide

How to Write a Good Report

What is a report?

A report can vary in purpose from informing to persuading

A study of some form of activity, problem or issue
It should include results and conclusions of the study
Has to be planned carefully
Author needs to consider subject and scope of the report
Differs from an essay in format and also essays are more argumentative and
idea-based

Planning a report

A report is directed towards:

Systematically answering a question or questions
May involve recommendations but will certainly involve evaluating information
and drawing conclusions

Report writing process

Identify your audience

Define your objective(s)
Organise your ideas, relating this to relevant theory

Know your aims and objectives

What is your brief?

What are your aims and objectives?

Format of a report

Title Page
Contents List
Summary
Introduction
Findings

Copyright 2009 CSM Personal Tutors Personal Tutor Guide: How to Write a Good Report
 Conclusion and Recommendations
Appendices

Summary should contain the essential elements of a report:

Title Page
Contents List
Summary
Introduction
Findings
Conclusion and Recommendations
Appendices

You should be able to read the summary on its own as a concise version of the report.

Introduction
Should state the:
Purpose and scope
Main points
Structure of the report

Findings
This is the main body of the report and you need to state how it is organized up front
Use headings to clearly identify the content of the report
They must incorporate relevant theory and integrate theory with specific context
related issues
They must be presented in an order that leads logically towards the conclusions
and recommendations.

Conclusion
No new material to be introduced
Follows logically from the Discussion in Findings
Conclusions section should give key points and should NOT be just another
Executive Summary

Recommendations
Consult the assessment criteria as to whether recommendations are required
If so are suggestions for possible actions based on the discussion section of the
report?

Style issues:

Copyright 2009 CSM Personal Tutors Personal Tutor Guide: How to Write a Good Report
 Use straightforward language and be precise.
Give sufficient detail.
Use headings to show structure.
Use 3rd person (usually).
Use examples where appropriate to illustrate argument
Avoid rambling introductions
No jargon or colloquialisms if possible

Remember to use Harvard system of Referencing throughout!

Copyright 2009 CSM Personal Tutors Personal Tutor Guide: How to Write a Good Report