What is the Layout of report writing?

Answer 1

Writing a Report

During your studies you may be required to research a particular area and produce a report. For

instance, depending on your area of study, you might be asked to write a report on the performance

characteristics of an aircraft engine, the classroom management practices of a teacher, the cost

benefits of using a particular type of software in a company, etc.

Some of the reasons we write reports are to:

• inform

• make proposals or recommendations for change

• analyse and solve problems

• present the findings of an investigation or project

• record progress

Your lecturer or teacher will usually provide you with the following information:

• the topic or subject of the report

• the required length and due date

• a clear idea of its purpose and who will read it

• the format headings to be used and their order.

Steps in writing the report

Writing your report is an ongoing process of writing and re-writing. Therefore, it's important to

realise that you don't need to begin at the introduction and write until you get to the conclusion.

Often the body is written first. Also, you're not expected to produce the perfect report the first time

you put pen to paper - expect to have to redraft your report.

A useful writing process for longer reports is to:

• organise your information

• write an outline

• write a first draft

• re-write to improve the draft

• edit and proofread

You'll also need to consider the presentation of the report, in particular:

• format and layout

• inclusion of graphics and visuals