Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
REPORT WRITING
The material included in this short guide has been gathered and adapted from the
following publications:
A Handbook of Writing for Engineers by Joan van Emden
Effective Business Reports by R.W. Poe
How to Write and Present Technical Information by C.H. Sides
Reading, Writing and Reasoning by Gavin Fairbairn and Christopher Winch
Report Writing by Joan van Emden and Jennifer Easteal
The Mature Students Guide to Writing by Jean Rose
Writing Technical Reports by Bruce M. Cooper
Part 1 of the guide considers the differences between reports and essays, takes you
through the main steps in the report writing process and looks at a sample report
structure. Part 2 examines issues of style and clarity and provides some basic tips for
the use of graphics.
The guidelines are intended to provide useful general advice for writing reports both
as part of an academic course and for work purposes. It is important to also take
account of any specific house rules that might apply to your particular course of
study or in your work situation.
Other useful guides for students whose first language is not English are:
Build your Business Grammar by Tim Bower
Build your Business Vocabulary by John Flower
PART 1
Highly structured format to lead reader quickly to main themes and findings
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REPORT WRITING STAGES
Gather information:
Examination of documents; visits; interviews; observation etc.
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chronological
geographical
Put aside for a day or two then edit for content and style
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Step 5 - Presentation of final draft
TITLE PAGE
2.0.
SUMMARY
Succinct overview including objectives, key conclusions,
recommendations and implications (some readers may stop here)
3.0.
CONTENTS
Include: section headings, subsections, illustrations, appendices etc.,
with page numbers
4.0.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Include: background, purpose and aims, who asked for it, scope of
research, constraints, special considerations
5.0.
6.0.
CONCLUSIONS
Link back to Terms of Reference and base clearly on findings.
7.0.
RECOMMENDATIONS
8.0.
APPENDICES
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REPORT EDITING CHECKLIST
Any repetition?
Order logical?
Style formal?
Grammar/punctuation correct?
Spelling O.K?
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PART 2
Active or passive?
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e.g. This system needs to be changed not It is believed that this system needs
to be changed
B.
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Used for long periods without ventilation, overheating can cause damage to the
instrument.
(If the instrument is used for long periods without ventilation, overheating can cause
damage to it.)
The run time checks indicate at what point of the process the computer is currently
at. (Delete the second at)
The failure of the systems which we have installed recently have led to the current
financial crisis.
(The failure has led to )
Each of the systems which we have installed have created initial problems.
(Each of the systems has created )
Manuals are mainly held in the print room, but some by individuals which are often
unique.
(Manuals are mainly held in the print room, but some, which are often unique, are
held by individuals)
Before: It is desired to draw attention to the necessity that the regulations governing
procedures established to ensure safety in the event of fire should be observed by all
residents.
After: Residents should obey the fire drill regulations.
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Avoid business-ese:
Before: Profit-wise, the company would be in a much better position if an attempt
were made to maximise the utilization of mechanical equipment in order to optimise
on the greatest economies.
After: The company will earn a bigger profit if mechanical equipment is used
whenever possible to keep costs down.
A certain amount of
As far as --- is concerned
At the present time
Having a value of
In a number of cases
In relation to
In the case of
In the majority of instances
Provides a means by which
With a view to
Graphics (e.g. table, chart, graph, diagram) are useful for presenting numerical
information.
Chosen graphic should :
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