Writing Action Research or Field Report Introduction An Example Report APA Style The Title Organization Paragraphs Effective Transitions Strategies for Writing a Conclusion Peer Editing Individual Review Meetings Presentations

The Title Use a subtitle to clarify what the report is about. Use a reasonably catchy title

An Example Report Follow the College style requirements (paper size, margin, cover sheets). Table of contents Abstract Chapter 1: Introduction (purpose, importance, assumptions, definitions, research questions) Chapter 2: Review of the Literature Chapter 3: Methods (subjects, setting, instrument, data collection procedures) Chapter 4: Result (include graphs or tables) Chapter 5: Discussion (including conclusion, recommendation, action plan) References Appendices

Organization The key to your report is not brilliance or even inspiration, but organization. Use of headings and subheadings Use of outline

The Paragraph Unity: The entire paragraph should concern itself with a single focus. If it begins with a certain point of discussion, it should not end with another or wander within different ideas. Coherence: Create logical or verbal bridges in your paragraphs to be coherent. For example, key words or synonymous words can be repeated in several sentences. A Topic Sentence: Put your topic sentence near the beginning of the paragraph. Adequate Development: It usually takes more than 1,2,or 3 sentences to have a fully developed paragraph. Do not use future tense in Ch. 1 verbs as you did with the proposal. Use past tense in data gathering section.

Effective Transitions Does your report have a nice flow ( continuity, or progression)? Use a lead-in sentence to introduce discussion of a new concept . The end of a paragraph can set up a clear connection to the next paragraph. One way to create a transition is to repeat a key word or phrase from the preceding paragraph. Use these transitional words to link complementary ideas : again, in addition, at the same time, in the same way, by the same token, similarly, likewise, hence, as a result, furthermore, moreover, secondly. To link conflicting ideas, use these words: in reality, in truth, on the other hand, on the contrary, nonetheless, however, in contrast.

The Conclusion Propose a course of action, possible approaches or solutions to the issue raised. Challenge the reader: Address ideas from a fresh perspective in order to encourage the reader to continue thinking about the topic . Looking to the future: Raise questions for future study. Describing the limitations of your study. Save a provocative or exciting insight or quotation for the conclusion. Echoing the introduction: Include something from the introduction (e.g. a detail, image, scenario, or example) to bring the report full cycle.

Presentation Present your field or action research report to the rest of class You are encouraged to use the Powerpoint to make your presentation It is more of a celebration than an oral defense. GOOD LUCK !