Report writing skills

A report is a formal piece of written work based on facts, process or test. It is usually written in a concise style, giving precise details. It is useful to draw the attention of your learners to three important points:

	audience - Who is the report for?
	aims - What end result do they want - to inform, persuade, recommend?
	topic and focus - What is the main subject area and which particular aspect/issues will the report cover?

The procedure of report writing includes:

	defining the aims to be achieved
	deciding the appropriate format
	writing a report plan
	selecting the content
	structuring clearly
	drafting
	editing - related to: correction of style and language errors, critical rationalisation of the content, pagination, layout, etc.
	writing final version

The main structural elements of every report are: title, author, summary, abstract/synopsis, acknowledgment, terms of reference/remit, foreword, aims, objectives, introduction, methodology, findings/results, conclusions, recommendations, references/bibliography, appendices and index.

You can suggest that learners use the following planner to plan activities and improve their report-writing skills.

Planner: "Improving report-writing skills"

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Working on report writing skills increases learners' awareness that an effective report depends on good planning and clear presentation.