How to Write Effective Report and Essay | Talent and Skills HuB

Summary

This video script offers a detailed guide on writing effective reports and essays. It explains the purpose, structure, and key components of both formats, emphasizing the differences between them. Reports are structured with sections like executive summaries, discussions, and recommendations, while essays focus on building a logical argument without subheadings. The script provides practical tips on writing clear, concise reports and essays, highlighting the importance of proper organization, logical flow, and the use of references to support arguments. It concludes with a checklist for ensuring completeness and accuracy in academic writing.

Takeaways

• 😀 A report is a document designed to inform the reader and prompt action or decisions.
• 😀 Reports follow a standard structure, often including a title page, executive summary, table of contents, introduction, discussion, conclusion, recommendations, references, bibliography, and appendices.
• 😀 The title page identifies the report's topic or purpose and gives a brief explanation.
• 😀 An executive summary provides a concise overview of the entire report, summarizing findings, methods, and conclusions.
• 😀 The table of contents helps readers easily navigate the report by providing clear page numbers and chapter titles.
• 😀 The introduction sets the context of the report, outlining the topic, key issues, objectives, and any limitations or background.
• 😀 The discussion is the report's core section, where the main details are explored logically, often using headings and subheadings for clarity.
• 😀 Conclusions highlight the key findings from the research, linking them back to the report’s purpose without introducing new information.
• 😀 Recommendations present actionable options based on the findings, with the most favored recommendations placed first.
• 😀 The reference list cites sources used directly in the report, while the bibliography includes additional reading material that wasn’t directly cited.
• 😀 Appendices offer supplementary materials such as charts, tables, or images, and provide further context to support the report's main content.

Q & A

What is the purpose of a report?

A report is a document that provides the reader with information and requires them to take action based on that information. Reports can suggest new ideas, influence decisions, or ask the reader to make choices between recommendations.

What are the nine key sections commonly found in a report?

The nine key sections typically found in a report are: Title Page, Executive Summary, Table of Contents, Introduction, Discussion, Conclusion, Recommendations, References and Bibliography, and Appendices.

What is the role of the title page in a report?

The title page helps the reader understand the topic or purpose of the report. It typically includes a title or brief explanation of the report's purpose.

What is an executive summary and when is it used?

An executive summary is a concise summary of the entire report, usually between 100-200 words or 10% of the total word count. It is most often used in long and formal reports and provides the reader with an overview of the findings, methods, and conclusions.

What is the importance of the table of contents in a report?

The table of contents helps the reader navigate the report by listing the sections and their corresponding page numbers. It ensures that the report is easy to navigate and helps the reader find specific information quickly.

How should the introduction of a report be structured?

The introduction should be brief and typically comprises a paragraph or about 10% of the total word count. It should provide the reader with the report’s topic, the reason for the report, key issues to be addressed, terms of reference, and any limitations or background information.

What is the main focus of the discussion section of a report?

The discussion section is the main body of the report, where the subject is explored in detail. It should be organized logically with headings and subheadings to guide the reader through the various points. This section should focus on analyzing and explaining the information collected.

How should conclusions be presented in a report?

Conclusions should summarize the main findings of the report based on the research. They should directly address the purpose of the report, explaining what was discovered and the significance of the findings. No new information should be presented in the conclusions.

What is the purpose of recommendations in a report?

Recommendations present the actions or options the reader should consider based on the report’s findings. The most important recommendations should be presented first, using a logical structure. The recommendations guide the reader towards decisions or actions to take.

What is the difference between references and bibliography in a report?

A reference list includes only the sources cited within the report. A bibliography, on the other hand, includes both the sources cited and additional materials that were consulted but not directly cited in the report.

What types of materials can be included in the appendices of a report?

Appendices can include supplementary materials such as tables, photographs, drawings, maps, or other documents that support the content of the report. These materials help clarify or enhance the reader’s understanding of the main body of the report.

How does writing an essay differ from writing a report?

An essay is a continuous piece of writing focused on building an argument or exploring a theme, while a report is structured with distinct sections (e.g., introduction, discussion, conclusion). Reports are more formal, often contain specific sections like recommendations, and require readers to take action based on the content.

What should an essay introduction include?

An essay introduction should briefly outline the topic, explain why it's important, and provide a roadmap for the arguments or points that will be discussed. It sets the context for the essay and prepares the reader for the following discussion.

How should the main body of an essay be structured?

The main body of an essay should present a series of logical arguments or points, supported by evidence from sources. Each paragraph should focus on a single idea, and the writing should avoid using bullet points. The essay should flow logically from one point to the next.

What should be included in the conclusion of an essay?

The conclusion should summarize the key arguments or points made in the essay and explain their significance. It should tie the discussion back to the essay’s main question or theme and highlight the broader implications of the findings.

What is the purpose of a reference list in an essay?

The reference list in an essay provides an alphabetical list of all the sources cited throughout the essay. It ensures that the sources are properly credited and allows the reader to verify or explore the original material.