Professional Report Writing

PROFESSIONAL REPORT WRITING

INTRODUCTION

Most professional people will, at some time in their careers, be required to produce reports. This workshop aims to provide those new to report writing with the skills required for the production of clear, concise and, perhaps most importantly, effective reports. By the end of the course delegates will also be capable of producing reports more speedily: always a bonus for the busy professional.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT

• The characteristics, purposes and content of reports
• How to structure the material for reports
• Change of tone in report writing, to suit a variety of readers
• Preparing report Introductions
• Structuring the Main Body of reports in a logical, easy to read style
• How to write clear Conclusions and Recommendations in a professional report
• A report writing system for fast and efficient production
• Principles of concise writing
• Word processing and spreadsheet packages and their use in report writing
• The correct use of statistical and visual information within reports
• The use of Appendices
• Major report writing exercise
• Feedback on major report writing exercise

TUITION METHODS

The course is highly participative. Each topic is supported by: tutor input, individual or syndicate exercises, feed back and discussion incorporating suggestions for improvement. In addition, each topic is covered in the workshop booklet: ?Producing Professional Reports?.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of the course delegates will :

• understand the need for and develop a systematic approach to professional report writing
• be able to structure a report using a simple system
• be capable of writing clear report Introductions
• be capable of differentiating between Conclusions and Recommendations
• understand the need for concise writing wherever possible and be able to produce it
• be aware of the principles of business English for use in all communications
• be aware of the need to change the tone and content of reports dependent upon the reader's status and levels of knowledge
• be capable of producing effective professional reports