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Writing Skills/Reports/14.1 Writing a Report.doc

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WRITING A REPORT

This worksheet will help you to:

• Identify what kind of report you have to write.

• Identify what makes a good report.

• Identify the main features of a report

What is a report?

There are many different kinds of reports. Here are some examples:

• Reports in newspapers and magazines.

• Reports which give information on the performance of an individual

e.g. school reports.

• Reports which tell you whether a product, e.g. a stereo, is good value.

• Reports which give information on the progress of a department in an

organisation and help people keep up-to-date with what is happening.

• Reports which give information about an area of public concern e.g.

The Tomlinson Report (written to promote the inclusion of people with

disabilities/learning difficulties in all areas of public life).

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Writing Skills/Reports/14.1 Writing a Report.doc

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READ the following report:

PROPOSED HOUSING ON DICKENS SQUARE PARK

INTRODUCTION

The Housing Committee has been asked to report to the Council on whether or

not an estate should be built on Dickens Square Park.

The Committee has had four meetings to discuss this matter and a number of

reports have been received from the Borough Surveyor and the Legal

Department.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS

Our Legal Department reports that there are no restrictions i.e. no rights of

any kind and no encumbrances that would prevent building.

THE SITE

There are some problems. The site is triangular and this would mean that

those houses built close to the apex would have much smaller gardens than

those on the other side. But this is not a major drawback and it does seem

possible to build two or three-storey houses. We have been informed by the

water, gas and electricity authorities that these services are all readily

available.

THE CONTRACT

We understand that a few of the contractors in the area are not busy, so we

should expect some competitive tenders.

CONCLUSIONS

We would recommend that the Council proceeds and decides to build here

because we have heard that private developers are interested in the site. We

thus suggest the following next steps;

• The Council should find out what grants may be available.

• The Council should ask for tenders.

S Majid, Chairman, Housing Committee 24th January 2003

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Writing Skills/Reports/14.1 Writing a Report.doc

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What kind of report do you need to write?

Tick any of the following and add any other in the space below:

� A report on a person

� A report on facilities

� A report on an event or a visit

� A report on a course or job

� A newspaper or magazine report

� A business report

� A scientific report

� Other: …………………………………………………………………

A REPORT SHOULD BE:

1. FACTUAL: The facts should be presented as they are and not changed to reflect the opinions of the writer or to please any other person.

2. ACCURATE: It should give correct information.

3. CLEAR: The language used must be easily understood by the reader.

4. EASY TO READ: It must be WELL-ORGANISED with one part logically following

or explaining another part. Suggested organisation:

1). Title

2) Introduction

3) Main body (with sub-headings)

4) Conclusion

5.SELF-CONTAINED: The main part of the report must contain all the important

ideas and facts. Any extra tables or notes should be used

only to add details or supporting evidence.

Use the initial letters: F A C E S to help you remember these 5 points.