Course code RW/JG

REPORT WRITING

Duration: 2 days 

Target Audience: anyone in business or government who is regularly required to submit written reports.

The key objective of this two-day training course is to give all attendees the confidence and practical know-how to write professional, polished business reports. Rather than two boring days of lectures on English grammar, this inter-active workshop will take attendees through a step-by-step process that will ensure they fully understand the practicalities of formal business report conventions, report structure and report layout.

The course will ensure that attendees understand the basic principles of issues that are integral, not peripheral, to report writing, without which a report cannot be prepared, i.e.:

• The communication process, given that a formal report is a high level communication tool
• Logic, reasoning and logical argument, given that the purpose of a formal report is to argue for certain action to be taken based on investigation/research carried out or observations made 
• The writing process – a skill that is, sadly, increasingly problematic, flawed and unreadable in the technological age 
• Business English – English language skill is, likewise, generally degenerating rapidly 
• Formal report conventions, structure and layout

The course has been designed as a workshop that ensures attendee participation through a plethora of exercises and practice opportunities. Many examples of reports, report sections and related elements are included in the Examples section.

Outcomes:

This workshop will provide attendees with a basic understanding of the following:

• Communication: what it is, a basic model, barriers, the problems with communication
• Writing skill: the writing process, planning, summarising, editing 
• Business English: what it is, precision in writing, simplicity in writing, clarity in writing, problematic aspects of English grammar and syntax, tone in writing 
• Logic: lateral thinking, linear thinking, common pitfalls of arguments, process for solving problems (allowing for logical, practical suggestions and recommendations to be made in reports) 
• Layout: general guidelines, specific guidelines, templates, finishing touches 
• Reports: audience, purpose, style, generalisations, research
• Report structure: standard sections, additional elements e.g. quoting, reference list, bibliography, etc.