1. Writing the Report

2. Drafting the Report Distinguish the Functions of the Report Sections
Ensure Coherence at All Levels of the Report
Acknowledge Data in Report from Secondary Sources
Edit and Proofread the Report

3. Basic Divisions of a Formal Report
Prefatory Parts
Supplementary Parts
The Report Proper

4. Prefatory Parts May include: Letter of Authorisation
Title Page
Letter of Authorisation
Letter of Transmittal
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Executive Summary
May include:

5. Supplementary Parts May include: Endnotes Appendix
References (Sources)
Endnotes
Appendix
May include:

6. The Report Proper Includes: Findings Conclusions Recommendations
Introduction
Findings
Conclusions
Recommendations
Includes:

7. Ensure coherence at all levels of the report
provide introductory comments
use general statements/topic sentences
use transitional devices
incorporate charts & tables into text

8. Acknowledge Data in Report from Secondary Sources
Author-Date System … (Lee, 2000: 67)
Superscript System … led to a 12%
increase in profits.1

9. Edit and Proofread Check the Substance and Style
Check for Consistency and Errors
Ensure the report is Attractive and Neat

10. Remember the 5 Cs
Clarity
Conciseness
Coherence
Correctness
Courtesy

11. MY SPELLING CHEQUER Eye halve a spelling chequer
It came with my pea sea
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye have run this poem threw it
I am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect awl the weigh
My chequer tolled me sew.
~ Sores unknown ~

12. Spell-check Non-errors
e.g. too / to / two
their / there
its / it’s

13. Elements of a Well-written Report
Carefully constructed outline
Logical, consistent content
Accurate information
Clear writing style
Neat and attractive presentation

14. Something to think about
Some say report writing reflects the culture of specific corporate cultures. What do you understand by this assertion? Can you give examples of how reports reflect workplace cultures?