Report WritingReport Writing

waggiesAustralian Gifts

Know your audienceKnow your audience

Do they have a technical

background?Do they need to be convinced?

Do they only

need to see the

big picture?

Do they need

fine details?

Do they need to see comparisons?

Do they need to see

projections?Are they hostile?

Do they require formality/informality?

Do they understand

jargon/technicalities?

Reports are commissioned/prepared to Reports are commissioned/prepared to communicate information - they vary greatlycommunicate information - they vary greatly

Computer Report

Safety Report

Incident Report

Memo/ Letter Report

Periodic Report

Progress Report

Analytical Report Proposal

submission

(Baden, 1994)

The information/Persuasion mix in reports

Information

Persuasion

Swaggies Pty Ltd is a simulated company used for training purposes only

A good rule of thumbA good rule of thumb … …AAccurateccurate

BBrief & conciserief & concise

CComplete – full omplete – full storystory

DDirect & clearirect & clearLibrary Management, (n.d.).

Major ComponentsMajor Components

Title Page

Table of Contents

Introduction

Main Body

Conclusion

Recommendations

Appendices

A list of all the report sections

Sets the scene; background; aims

Organise in logical sequence

Conclusions;significance;success?

Following conclusions, what course of action is recommended?

Graphs, charts, tables used

Swaggies Pty Ltd is a simulated company used for training purposes only

Report FormatReport FormatTitle PageTitle PageTable of ContentsTable of ContentsIntroduction, Body, ConclusionIntroduction, Body, ConclusionFully blocked, Single spacingFully blocked, Single spacingSide headings can be usedSide headings can be usedLeft/Right Margins – 3.17 cm Left/Right Margins – 3.17 cm (depending on (depending on presentation – bound at left, etc)presentation – bound at left, etc)

Name, page numbers, date in footer Name, page numbers, date in footer (small font)(small font)