This document provides guidance on how to structure a report. It recommends including a title page with key identifying information, a table of contents, an executive summary that outlines the objectives, methods, key findings and conclusions, an introduction to provide context and background, a body section to analyze the key substance of the report, a conclusion section to draw implications from the findings and make deductions, recommendations based on the conclusion, and reference sections. It also provides tips for writing clearly, concisely and in an impersonal tone with well-developed paragraphs.

1. Gopal Thapa
Tribhuvan University
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2.  A report is a systematic, well organized document
which defines and analyses a subject or problem.
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3. Accurate
Concise
Clear
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4.  Title page
◦ include the title,
◦ your name
◦ the name of the tutor to whom it is being submitted, date of
submission,
◦ your course/department, and if applicable, the name of the
person and/or organization who has commissioned the report.
◦ Avoid “fancy” fonts and effects and don’t include any clipart.
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5.  A list of people and organizations both within and
outside your College, or organization you visited who
have helped you
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6.  A clear, well-formatted list of all the sections and
sub-sections of the report.
 Don’t forget to put the page numbers.
 there should be a separate list of tables, figures,
illustrations and/or appendices after the main
index.
Make sure that the headings in this list correspond
exactly with those in your main body.
 It is best to do your list of contents right at the
end.
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7.  Usually included in longer reports.
 Also called executive summary, abstract or synopsis.
 This is a very brief outline of the report to give the potential
reader a general idea of what it’s about.
 A statement of:
overall aims and specific objectives (unless included in
terms of reference)
 method/procedure used (unless included in separate
section)
 Key findings
 Conclusions and recommendations
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8.  It indicates the basic structure of the report.
 You should include:
 background/context
 indicate the reasons for writing the report
 You may include your terms of reference and
procedure/research methods if not covered elsewhere.
Your introduction will often give an indication of the
conclusion to the report.
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9.  This is the substance of your report.
 The structure will vary according to the nature of the
material being presented,
 It is not sufficient to simply describe a situation.
 Your tutor will be looking for analysis and for a critical
approach, when appropriate.
 Charts, diagrams and tables can be used to reinforce your
arguments, although sometimes it may be better to include
these as an appendix (particularly if they are long or
complicated).
 Do not include opinions, conclusions or recommendations
in this section.
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10.  Your conclusion should draw out the implications of
your findings, with deductions based on the facts
described in your main body.
 Don’t include any new material here.
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11.  These should follow on logically from your conclusion
and be specific, measurable and achievable.
 They should propose how the situation/problem could
be improved by suggesting action to be taken.
 Recommendations can be numbered if you wish.
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12.  Bibliography
This is either a separate list of sources which you
have used during your research, but have not
actually made reference to in your writing, or this
list together with your list of references.
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13.  References
This is a list giving the full details of all the sources to
which you have made reference within your text.
 The most common method in use at Tribhuvan
University is the APA method.
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14.  Include a glossary if the report includes a lot of
specialized vocabulary or acronyms which may not be
familiar to the reader.
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15.  Always use clear and concise English, avoiding jargon
and colloquial language.
 Write in fairly short sentences.
 Make sure you develop each paragraph sufficiently
(usually a minimum of 5/6 sentences).
 Most of your report should be impersonal, although it
may be appropriate in your conclusion or
recommendations to include more personal language.
 Be extra careful with verb tenses.
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16.  Agrawal, G. R. (2011). Fundamentals of Marketing in
Nepal. Kathmandu: M. K. Publishers and Distributors.
 Amatya, S. K., & Thapa, G. (2007). Fundamentals of
Advertising. Kathmandu: Khanal Publication.
 Thapa, G. (2010, January 15). Academic Resources.
Retrieved June 17, 2013, from Gopal Thapa's Personal
Website: www.gopalthapa.com.np
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17. Any Questions?
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