Writing a report What is a report? A report is a well-structured and researched document that informs a specific audience on a particular problem or topic. The purpose of a report is to inform, guide or influence decision making and/or the outcome of a course of action. Writing reports is common in many workplaces. Thus, you often find this form of writing set as an assessment task at university. It can be either an individual- or team-based assignment. The purpose and structure of reports can differ between disciplines and audiences. For example, a business report written for a manager will have an introduction which is separate from a literature review, whereas a lab report for your lecturer will often combine the introduction and literature review into one section. What is important is that you pay careful attention to your assessment task instructions and make sure that your key message is clear, well-reasoned and well-supported by relevant research. Four things you need to know about report writing View Audience and purpose You need to continually consider the target audience of your report. For example, ask yourself such questions as - are you writing for a client? a healthcare professional? your manager? do you have more than one audience (e.g. an imaginary client and your lecturer)? The answers to these questions will guide your decisions about how the report is structured, the amount of background information you include, what type of information is required, and how best to present the report, including the level of technical language you use. Differences between a report and an essay Reports typically follow a clear structure and have common elements, each with a specific purpose. These features differentiate reports from another common form of writing at university - the essay. You can learn about the key differences from the table below. Report Essay Topic Often problem- and action-oriented Based on readings, field work or practical work Responds to a question or a proposition, and usually requires the writer to ‘take a position’ on a contentious topic Is based on credible evidence Purpose To investigate, analyse and present information that will inform and influence decision making, or summarise the outcome of a course of action To articulate a well-argued response to a question or proposition Audience Established in the topic and is often a ‘client’ or ‘manager’ or other relevant stakeholder An academic audience Format Includes an executive summary or abstract or synopsis Comprises sections with headings May use bullet points, tables, graphs to convey information Does not typically include sections or headings Does not typically include the use of bullet points, tables, graphs or other visual information Style Written in third person or first person Uses direct, formal language Written in short, concise paragraphs Written in third or first person Uses formal language Written in longer paragraphs to fully develop and support one main idea Note The target audience will not always read the sections of a report in the order in which they are presented. For example, a reader may firstly read the abstract, then the conclusion, and then the discussion for more details. This is a reading technique often used in critical reading. This is why features like a title page, table of contents, bolded headings, numbering, lettering, and bullet points are important in a report. Check your understanding View Research reports Some assignment tasks at university involve writing a research report to explain a research project or investigation that you have undertaken. The structure of a typical research report includes the following sections: Section Purpose Title of the Report To clearly indicate the problem or topic addressed in the report. Abstract/Executive Summary To summarise the aim, methods, findings and conclusions (usually in 250 words or less). Table of Contents To act as a guide for easy access to relevant sections and information. Introduction To show what you researched and why. Literature Review To provide an overview of current, published knowledge on the topic. This may be part of the introduction in some disciplines. Methodology To show how you conducted your investigation. Results To show your findings. Discussion To provide an analysis of the relevance of your findings, e.g. how they contribute to current knowledge. Conclusion(s) To summarise and outline your main conclusions. Recommendation(s) To propose actions that should be taken. This may be part of the conclusion in some disciplines. Supplementaries To provide supporting materials such as your reference list, appendices of raw data, surveys and detailed data processing. Take it further - approaching discipline-specific reports Take a look at the following resources for information about reports in your faculty or discipline. BusEco: Report writing This resource is designed to assist you in completing a business report. It provides a guide to approaching and structuring your report and includes annotated examples with written feedback. Engineering: Lab report This resource expands on the general report structure and provides useful tips and examples on how to turn practical work and lab experiments into a written lab report. Engineering: Technical report This resource expands on the general report structure and provides useful tips and examples on how to write a report for key stakeholders, using experimental and practical data. IT: Report This resource provides information about what reports look like in IT, and how you might consider structuring your IT report. It includes student samples for each possible section of an IT report, along with video and written feedback. MNHS: Health sciences case report This resource provides a guide to approaching and structuring a patient-based case report. It includes an annotated example with written feedback. MNHS: Comparative report This resource is designed to assist you in completing your Comparative Report [CR] for Integrating Science and Practice [iSAP] assessment tasks. It provides a guide to approaching and structuring your report and includes an annotated example with written feedback. MNHS: Psychology case report This resource provides detailed guidance on the structure and content of the psychology case report, with numerous examples from the recommended reading. Science: Lab report This resource expands on the general report structure and provides useful tips and examples on how to turn practical work and lab experiments into a written lab report. Your feedback matters We want to hear from you! Let us know what you found most useful or share your suggestions for improving this resource.