This document provides an overview of report writing. It defines a report as a systematic and well-organized document that analyzes a subject or problem and communicates the results of an investigation. The document outlines three main types of reports: information reports, analytical reports, and planning reports/proposals. It also describes the typical structure of a report, including sections for an introduction, body, and closing. Finally, it provides guidance on writing reports, such as developing an outline, using a clear structure, and presenting information objectively.

1. Sohail Ahmed

2. What is a report?
A report is a systematic, well organized document which defines and analyses a subject or problem.
A report is a statement of the results of an investigation or of any matter on which definite information is required.
(Oxford English Dictionary)
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3. Types of report writing
Information Reports
Analytical Reports
Planning Reports/ Proposals.
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4. Information reports!
Policy/ compliance
Reflections
Incidents
Events
Narrative
Eye witness accounts.
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5. Analytical reports!
Problem solving
In-depth analyses
Assessment reports.
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6. Planning Reports/ Proposals.
Research proposals
Funding reports
Plans
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7. Report Introduction
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8. The Report Body
Explanations of problem or opportunity
Facts, statistics, and trends
Results of studies or investigations
Discussion and analysis of potential actions
Advantages, disadvantages, costs, and benefits
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9. The Report Closing
Summary
Conclusions
Recommendations
Action Plans
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10. Stages in Report Writing
The following stages are involved in writing a report:
Clarifying your terms of reference
Planning your work
Collecting your information
Organizing and structuring your Information
Writing the first draft
Checking and re-drafting.
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11. Planning Your Report
Consider the report as a whole
Break down the task of writing the report into various parts.
How much time do you have to write the report?
How can this be divided up into the various planning stages?
Set yourself deadlines for the various stages.
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12. Writing Reports
Each idea can be circled or linked by lines appropriate.
When you have finished, highlight any related ideas and then sort topics.
Some ideas will form main headings, and others will be sub-sections under these headings.
You should then be able to see a pattern emerging and be able to arrange your main headings in a logical order
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13. Structure of Report
Title page
 Acknowledgements
Contents
Abstract or summary
Introduction
Methodology
Results or findings
Discussion
Conclusion and recommendations
References
Appendices
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14. Style of writing
Active or passive?
Use according to need of Report.
Simplicity
Most written reports should avoid using overly complicated language.
Use of language
Reports should avoid the use of subjective Language personal language commonly has no place in the more objective field of report writing.
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15. Final Instructions-I
Begin your short report with an Introduction heading. Include a statement about the report's subject, an explanation of why the report was written and a summary of its contents. Also mention the intention of the report, which is usually to help the reader make a decision about something.
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16. Final Instructions-II
Present the facts about the subject clearly and concisely, but compose a complete report, giving the reader all the information necessary to make an informed decision. Present the most important information first, keeping in mind the decision that needs to be made.
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17. Final Instructions-II
Use appropriate first-level headings (for example, Facts, Discussion, Findings, Costs, Limitations, Advantages, Conclusions, and so on).
Be objective in your report, presenting both sides of an issue when possible and clearly separating fact from opinion
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18. Final Instructions-II
Cite your sources to persuade the reader of your information-gathering reliability. These may include interviews, articles, company records, surveys, your own observation, and so on.
Share your recommendations if asked.
When persuading your reader, always give your strongest argument first.
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19. Sohail Ahmed
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