Assignment

# 01
Report Writing Skills
(HUM102)
Submitted to:
Marriam Minhas
Submitted by:
Daniyal Raza
(FA17-BSE-033)

Deadline
08-March-2018
 COMSTAS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad Campus
Department of Computer Science

Question:
Make an outline of the different sections
of a report and describe each section indicating all t-
he key differences from an essay.
Answer:
Followings are the different sections of a report:
1. Title Page
2. Executive Summary
3. Table of Contents
4. Introduction
5. Discussion
6. Conclusion
7. Recommendation
8. Bibliography
9. Appendices
A detailed account of all these sections of a report in comparison to an essay is given
below:

Title Page:
Title page of a report contains its title, addresser’s (person who has prepare-
d the report) name and his detail and date of submission of report. In comparison to an es-
say there is no title page especially associated for the essay. But they have specific title.

Executive Summary:
Executive summary of a report is also an abstract of a report. It gives overview
of subject matter, methods to analyze the report and recommendations. While in an essay
there is not an executive summary as it’s all about only a single topic.

Table of Contents:
A good report also comprises of table of contents. It tells us the whole sequence
of a report. While an essay doesn’t have any table of contents.

Introduction:
Introduction is an essential part of a report and an essay as well. It defines terms of
references and outline of a report’s structure. While an essay also comprises of an
introduction and it starts from introduction, in which introduction of topic is given.

Discussion:
The in-detail process of a report. In this part of an essay, all the information is
shared in form of headings and sub-headings. While in an essay the discussion part com-
prised of the discussion paragraphs in which the details of essay are described. In essay
there are no headings and sub-headings of an essay.

Conclusion:
The discussed part of report is logically deducted in this part. In essay the
conclusion of discussion is also present. This part of essay restates the thesis statement.

Recommendation:
Recommendations are given to researchers in this part of report. Essays have no
recommendation.

Bibliography:
Sources from where information came are present in this part of report. Essay have
bibliography that demonstrates reference list.

Appendix:
This part of report comprises of information that supports your analysis of report
but not essential for its explanation. Essays don’t have any appendix section.
Major Differences:
Reports
Reports often originate from outside the
academic world: they are typical of writing
required for the world of work.
Reports often present data and findings that
you
have collected yourself, for example through
a survey, experiment or case study, or by
applying theory to your workplace.
Essays and reports have different structures –
see overleaf.
A report is divided into separate, headed (and
sometimes numbered) sections and sub-
sections.
A report may contain tables, charts and
diagrams.
Reports usually include descriptions of the
methods used (e.g. ‘I observed’)1.
The description in a report often includes
comment on how the research could be
improved and extended.
Reports often include recommendations for
action.
Essays
Essays originate in academic settings: they
are rarely used anywhere else.
Essays focus on analyzing or evaluating
theory, past research by other people, and
ideas. They seldom present the findings of
newly conducted research.
Essays and reports have different structures –
see overleaf.
Essays do not usually have sections; they flow
as a continuous piece of writing.
Essays do not usually include tables, charts or
diagrams.
Essays should not refer to the method used in
arriving at conclusions.
Essays are not usually reflective about the
process of researching and writing the essay
itself.
Reports often include recommendations for
action.