Daniel Obiago
Thousands of reports are written every day across the world for use in government, business, education, science, media, sports, entertainment, technology and many other areas of work.
Reports are written for a wide variety of reasons to do with communicating information including: to inform an audience about a particular subject-matter, project or event; or, to display the results of a transaction, or an investigation, or inquiry.
When writing a report; one needs to make several relevant, due considerations in terms of certain factors, such as: the format to be used for presenting the report; the objectives of the report; the type of report and the expectations of the readers, or audience.
The contents of most reports include: an introduction, methods used, results, discussions, insights, actions due and summary. Headings and sub-headings are used to indicate and locate relevant topics in a report.
Other key factors to writing a useful report include: accuracy, correct information, good writing skills, length, vocabulary, transparency, the specific needs of the audience, quality, impact and consequences of the report.
Some standard elements in a lengthy credible report may include: a specialized vocabulary, a table of contents, appendices, footnotes, citations, bibliography or a list of references; and visual elements such as: charts, tables. figures, graphics and images.
In many organisations, there are various in-house templates that are used to govern the format of different types of reports.
There is so much to learn about report writing as there are so many different types of reports.
Some reports aim to persuade a specific audience to undertake a desired course of action, as well as informing the reader of the subject-matter.
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Question of
Are you required to write any type of reports, at work, or in your studies, or for any other purpose?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
How regularly do you write and submit reports in your work place; or in your course of study?
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Often
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Sometimes
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Hardly ever
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Question of
How much do you know about effective written reports and report writing skills?
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Very much
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Average knowledge
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Not much
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Question of
Do you think that writing good-quality reports effectively is an important skill?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Have you ever been on a report writing training course?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Do you wish to know more about effective report writing skills?
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Yes
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No
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