Effective Report Writing

1
Effective Report Writing

• Janet Willis
• University of Manchester Careers Service

2
Todays Session

• Writing a report
• Reports for this course

3
Writing a report

• More formal than an essay
• Clearer breakdowns/sections
• Standard layout headings

4
Report Headings

• Title page
• Contents Page
• Executive summary/synopsis
• Introduction
• Findings (main text)
• Conclusions

5
Report Headings (cont)

• Appendices
• Bibliography/references

6
Numbering

• Report can be broken down into main sections
• and then subsections

7
Numbering example

• 1. Introduction
• 1.1 The aims of the portfolio
• 1.2 Portfolio objectives
• 2. Findings
• 2.1 Research methodology
• 2.2 Overall findings
• 2.2.1 job study questionnaire
• 2.2.2 case study

8
Style

• Type of language - avoid jargon
• Number of words - simplify phrases
• Sentences paragraphs -
• - simplify shorten where possible
• Descriptive language - leave an impression
• Spelling grammar - dont rely on PC spell and
  grammar checkers

9
Presentation

• The overall package - says quality?
• Arms length test
• inviting, easy to read chunks
• well sign-posted, effective use of headings,
  bullets, numbering (1.0, 2.0, 2.1 etc)
• consistent use of colour, fonts, emphasis
• Graphs/Visuals
• - Should add visual impact add to the
  message
• - Is the format appropriate?
• - Properly labelled

10
Individual Report Personal Portfolio

• 3000 4000 words excluding appendices
• Type Dynamics Indicator
• Detailed job study
• CV covering letter
• Skills analysis action plan

11
Personal Portfolio

• Will be assessed on
• Quality of work produced
• Depth of research
• Presentation
• Assessment handbook outlines assessment criteria
  in detail

12
HAND IN DATES

• Individual report 12 pm 14 December 2007
• Peer Assessment report 12 pm 16 January 2008
• Please submit one hard copy, plus an electronic
  copy to
• janet.k.willis_at_manchester.ac.uk