EFFECTIVE REPORT WRITING

Duration: 2 days

Objectives

This course will enable delegates to:

  • Write clearly and easily in English
  • Develop precise, succinct and coherent written arguments
  • Use and adapt the standard report format of management summary, background, problem definition and analysis, problem solution, recommendations and conclusion
  • Collate and present data, effectively integrated within the body of the report
  • Learn the proper use of graphic material, especially histograms, bar charts, pert and Gantt charts
  • Appreciate the impact of effective layouts and page design

Approach

The course supports every activity with written exercises which are reviewed by the tutor before progressing to the next stage. Individual tutorials are also offered at the end of each module.

The course material is provided in hard copy format with the exercises also being available on diskettes in MS-Word format.

Session 1 - An overview of the Principles of Report Writing

Session 2 - Structure and Design

- Function and Format

- Persuasive Reports

- I nformative Reports

- Discursive Reports

Session 3 - The Initial Stage

- Preparation

- Planning - The Three Stage Approach

- Information Collection/Control/Evaluation

- Fact/Opinion/Verification

- Designing a First Draft

- First Draft Revision

Session 4 - Writing Introductions

- Techniques, Subject Headings, Terms of Reference- Procedures and Methods Adopted

Session 5 - Audience and Purpose

- Relative Status, Identification , Required Result

Session 6 - Style and Tone

- Active and Passive

- Degree

- Probability

- Requests/Suggestion/Orders

Session 7 - Reporting

- Tense Transformations

- Questions

- Time References

- Reporting Verbs

End of Day One

Effective Report Writing, continued …

DAY TWO

Session 8 - Personal Management

- Prioritising

- Diary Keeping

- Targets

- Time Analysis

- House Styles and Record Keeping

Session 9 - Presenting Statistics and Other Data

- Graphics

- Drawing Attention to Graphics

- Integration

- Trend Description

- The Role of DTP

Session 10 - Making Connections

- Paragraph Building and Development

- Sequencing

- Connecting

Session 11- Recommendations, Conclusions and the Management Summary

Session 12 - Production

- Contents, Indices, Appendices

- Numbering Systems

- Conventions

Session 13 - Distribution and Follow up

- Impact Evaluation

- Presenting/Selling the Report

- Distribution Lists

- Covering Memo

- Confidentiality

End of Course