Communication: Tips And Tricks To Writing A Good Report

Question 1

What to write first

Answer 1

Introduction

Question 2

What should be written in introduction

Answer 2

• helping you layout the background and the context of the report
• forces you to think about the audience
• helps you crystallise the message and purpose of the report
• you are already indirectly writing the conclusion

Question 3

What should be written second (professors preference)

Answer 3

Conclusion
- even further crystallises the message
- firms up the boundary and scope of the report
-

Question 4

What should be in discussion/analysis

Answer 4

• what components/arguments are required to reach the conclusion
• may be useful the, into headings/sub-headings
• what order so that it is logical and ‘appealing’?

Question 5

What should be in your results section

Answer 5

• do not need to put all data/do not put all raw data that should be in appendix
• only put data to support discussion

Question 6

Difference between an executive summary and an abstract

Answer 6

Executive summary- more structured and you usually read it if you do not want to read the whole report

Abstract- quick summary of what the report was about

Question 7

Features of a strong conclusion are

Answer 7

• highlighted and explained main

Question 8

Features of good discussion

Answer 8

• professional tone
• more active than passive (use words that make it feel more enthusiastic and more emotion. Referring back to yourself/your group)
• good formatting