Writing More Professional Reports

1
Writing More Professional Reports

• From Organization to Language

2
Components

• Introduction Thesis statement, Scope,
  Limitations, Methodology, Key Literature, Preview
  of Findings
• Findings Chronological, Criteria, Alphabetical,
  Topical, Prioritized, Progressional
• Conclusion Summarize, Causal Relationships
• Recommendation Opinion, Action, Plan
• Works Cited

3
Topical Sentences

• Outline by Topical Sentences
• Choose the best support
• If there is an opposing view, incorporate it as
  well
• Never belittle someone elses point of view

4
Writing

• Start with your outline and build on it using
  sources and support materials
• Remember to use a professional yet still
  conversational vocabulary and voice

5
Methodologies

• Criteria How will we measure it?
• Chronological What happens or happened first?
• Topical Umbrella topics and subordinate topics
• Alphabetical, Prioritized, and Progressional

6
Organization

• Inductive or Indirect Strategy means, Big Idea
  Buried (Conclusion or Recommendations last)
• Direct or Deductive Strategy means, Big Idea
  First (Conclusions or Recommendations first)

7
Proofreading and Editing

• Read, and set it aside
• Reread
• Peer Read
• Use a highlighter
• Use Deconstruction
• Refer to your outline
• Show a draft