Reports
The purpose of a report is to is to investigate, present and analyze information thoroughly and logically. A report not only demonstrates successful research skills, but analysis of information.
Excerpt from The Call to Write by John Trimbur:
“Reports are a genre of writing that presents the results of research. Reports can be as simple as the morning weather report or as complex as an in-depth explanation of climate change, it’s causes and consequences. Sometimes the writer’s task is to organize information in a useful and accessible way. Other times, report writers analyze the research a draw conclusions.
The forms that report writing takes vary tremendously, depending on the writer’s setting and purposes. News reports and feature articles in newspapers and magazines, scholarly journals, briefings and fact sheets, brochures, informational websites, studies from government agencies and advocacy groups, community newsletters, corporations’ annual reports---all these are instances of report writing that informs and explains.”
In contrast to an essay, a report is typically formatted into various sections. A formal report may include the following:
- Title Page
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Materials and Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusions
- References
Helpful Handouts
- Outline for Research Reports and Proposals
- Research Writing Handout
- Developing Paragraphs
- Finding Academic Journals
Online Articles
- Writing a Report: PDF from RMIT University providing overview of genre
- A Quick Guide to Report Writing: PDF from LearnHigher and WriteNow organizations
- Writing Informational and Analytical Reports: PDF from The University of Kansas
- Tips for Writing a Good Report: Handout from MIT
- Writing the Research Report: Chapter from University of South Alabama publication
- Reporting Research Findings: Chapter providing overview and suggestions on reporting research
Websites
- Handbook on Report Formats: Purdue OWL’s overview on report writing
- How to Write a Research Report: A basic overview of the genre including a partial sample
- Sample Report: Sample APA research report from Purdue OWL
- Writing Report Abstracts: Information from Purdue OWL
- Overview of Report Writing: In-depth overview from UniLearning website
- Report Writing: Overview from Monash University, including ability to download printable version
Visual Resources
- English Lesson: Learn Report Writing: Information on formal and newspaper reports
- Report Writing: From Massey University
- The Key Forms of Business Writing: Reports