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*Last updated on 17 Jan 2011.
How Do I Write a Report?
- Why write reports?
- Format of a report
- Main sections of a report
- References and additional web resources
Report writing differs from essay writing because it has a different purpose. Reports are common communication tools as they assist in the decision making process. Written for a particular purpose, they usually outline a problem, provide the relevant facts and ideas to the situation, and then recommend a course of action.
Reports are highly structured so that information they contain can be easily understood. Headings within the report allow the reader to select the parts they wish to read. Headings also enable each section of the report to stand alone. The structure of a report is enhanced through the use of subheadings, diagrams, tables, graphs, illustrations etc.
Why write reports?
You will be asked to write reports to show that you have investigated or researched a particular problem. The main purpose of a report is to provide information to the reader about something such as:
- how to solve a problem;
- description of a situation or process (perhaps with recommendations)
- the outcomes of a laboratory experiment or a research project that has been undertaken;
- the assessment of a client's needs; or
- an investigation of an incident, such as how a workplace accident occurred and what measures will be taken to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
The amount and type of information that is included in a report should be based on what the audience will need or want to know.
For example the information required in a report detailing the outcomes of a scientific experiment will differ from a business report detailing some potential marketing strategies for a new product (Bate & Sharpe, 2002, p. 161).
There are many report formats used in different academic disciplines and employment contexts. As a university student, you may be required to write the following types of report:
- analytical report,
- business report,
- scientific report,
- research report, or
- report on the outcomes of a specific project.
In some disciplines you will have to write reports for specific purposes such as:
- identifying patient health needs in a hospital setting,
- reporting the results of a laboratory experiment,
- or presenting the data which was collected during a field trip.