Report Writing

1
waggies Australian Gifts

• Report Writing

2
Know your audience
Do they need to see comparisons?
Do they have a technical background?
Do they need to be convinced?
Do they need to see projections?
Do they only need to see the big picture?
Are they hostile?
Do they understand jargon/technicalities?
Do they require formality/informality?
Do they need fine details?
3
Reports are commissioned/prepared to communicate
information - they vary greatly
The information/Persuasion mix in reports
Information
Persuasion
(Baden, 1994)
4
A good rule of thumb

• Accurate
• Brief concise
• Complete full story
• Direct clear

Library Management, (n.d.).
5
Major Components
Title Page
A list of all the report sections
Table of Contents
Sets the scene background aims
Introduction
Organise in logical sequence
Main Body
Conclusionssignificancesuccess?
Conclusion
Following conclusions, what course of action is
recommended?
Recommendations
Appendices
Graphs, charts, tables used
6
Report Format

• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• Introduction, Body, Conclusion
• Fully blocked, Single spacing
• Side headings can be used
• Left/Right Margins 3.17 cm (depending on
  presentation bound at left, etc)
• Name, page numbers, date in footer (small font)