Writing the Report

1. Writing the Report

2. Drafting the Report • Distinguish the Functions of the Report Sections • Ensure Coherence at All Levels of the Report • Acknowledge Data in Report from Secondary Sources • Edit and Proofread the Report

3. Basic Divisions of a Formal Report • Prefatory Parts • Supplementary Parts • The Report Proper

4. Prefatory Parts • Title Page • Letter of Authorisation • Letter of Transmittal • Table of Contents • List of Illustrations • Executive Summary May include:

5. Supplementary Parts • References (Sources) • Endnotes • Appendix May include:

6. The Report Proper • Introduction • Findings • Conclusions • Recommendations Includes:

7. Ensure coherence at all levels of the report • provide introductory comments • use general statements/topic sentences • use transitional devices • incorporate charts & tables into text

8. Acknowledge Data in Report from Secondary Sources • Author-Date System … (Lee, 2000: 67) • Superscript System … led to a 12% • increase in profits.1

9. Edit and Proofread • Check the Substance and Style • Check for Consistency and Errors • Ensure the report is Attractive and Neat

10. Remember the 5 Cs • Clarity • Conciseness • Coherence • Correctness • Courtesy

11. MY SPELLING CHEQUER Eye halve a spelling chequer It came with my pea sea It plainly marques four my revue Miss steaks eye kin knot sea. Eye have run this poem threw it I am shore your pleased two no Its letter perfect awl the weigh My chequer tolled me sew. ~ Sores unknown ~

12. Spell-check Non-errors e.g.too / to / two their / there its / it’s

13. Elements of a Well-written Report • Carefully constructed outline • Logical, consistent content • Accurate information • Clear writing style • Neat and attractive presentation

14. Some say report writing reflects the culture of specific corporate cultures. What do you understand by this assertion? Can you give examples of how reports reflect workplace cultures? Something to think about