
Unit 11: Writing skills - Report Structure
Reports are designed to be read quickly and easily. Often only parts of a report are read in detail. Reports vary from essays as they have a more formal layout and normally use numbering (of both pages and sections) and heading and sub-headings to indicate sections. The format for a report can vary by school, so always check your module guide! (It is on GCULearn too).We have an example report. Reports often include:
- Title page The title page is brief but explicit. Include your name, date, module, course and for whom the report is written.
- List of contents with section and page numbers. If there are charts, diagrams or tables included in your report, these should be listed separately under a title such as ‘List of Illustrations’ together with the page numbers on which they appear.
- Acknowledgements should only be included if appropriate.
- Summary or abstract This can also be called an executive summary. This is very important and is often the only section of a report read in detail. It is normally written when the report is finished. This should be a short paragraph summarising the main contents. It should include a short statement of the main task, the methods used, conclusions reached and any recommendations to be made.
- Introduction This sets the scene and includes the aims and objectives of the report. It also defines the limits of the report, outlines the method of enquiry, gives a brief general background to the subject of the report and indicates the proposed development.
- Main body This illustrates how a project was undertaken. It normally includes a literature review, explanation of methodology used, discussion and analysis of findings. Like an essay it should be ordered logically with each section being clearly linked. It should include evidence and where appropriate, graphs and illustrations.
- Conclusion This draws out the implications from the report and normally recommends a course of action. It should link back to the introduction.
- References You should provide a list of all the authors you have cited in your report.
- Appendices These contain supporting information, such as transcripts of interviews, results of surveys, a glossary and results from experiments.
SMILE by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.