3.4 Reports

Regarding a problem, a study or analysis. Also, readers who may be asked to review and comment on your document and the conclusions that you’ve made. And finally, future readers or people who might need the document as a reference at some point in the future. As you write your report, there are some important guidelines to keep in mind. First and foremost, stay focused on the purpose of the report. It’s easy to stray off track when writing a lengthy report, especially if the findings have generated new ideas. So, strive to stay true to your purpose. You might want to ask the person who requested the reports what they’re expecting to see in the report, and how they plan to use it. This information might help you when you’re deciding what to include or exclude. You might have become emotionally attached to the topic, or your conclusions if you have been working on this project or research for a long time. So be sure to stick to objective data and keep your inferences and recommendations to the recommendations section. Only state recommendations or conclusions that are substantiated by the facts. Reports are meant to be fact based and impartial. A report is really only useful if it is accurate and unbiased. Write to your specific audience. Use an appropriate tone and include the information that you know and have concluded that your audience wants to know.