Q&A for How to Write a Report

Each teacher will have their own formatting and specific requirements for this type of assignment. You'll need to talk to your instructor to make sure you receive full credit.

First, check your assignment sheet to see if your instructor gave you any title requirements. If so, follow these. If they didn't give you any requirements, you can be as literal or creative as you'd like. Consider your topic and thesis, then choose a title that encompasses your ideas.

Your report should summarize the field work that you did, but you can make it more organized by tying it all into a central theme, like "During my time in the field, I discovered that the technology we use helps streamline our processes by 25%"

Your organization should clearly communicate its requirements. Typically, a police report should lead with a description of the event being described, then provide a thorough, factual, first-person account of everything that happened.

Your report should be long enough to get the point across. Most teachers will write the page or word count limit on the assignment sheet. Keep in mind, however, that when it comes to reports, it is the quality that matters, not the quantity.

If you are reporting on past events, use the past tense. If you are reporting on the current situation, use the present tense.

It depends on what type of report you are writing. In general, however, it's best to use active voice.

Meeting notes are referred to as minutes, and typically restrict themselves to the names of those in attendance and what motions were passed or defeated. You can find out more from this article .

Most reports are neutral, factual accounts written in the third person. However, you should use the first person when describing something you witnessed personally, or when you are admitting blame.

Start with a thesis statement like, "Consumers are ten times more likely to make an impulsive purchase at the point of sale than in the aisles" (or whatever the data shows). Then, each body paragraph should support this point, such as showing how often customers will put something extra into their carts at the point of sale, how often they do so in the aisles, and the difference in sales when a particular item is moved from one place to another. Of course, that's just an example, but let your data guide you for the specifics!

It's best to avoid idioms and write as clearly as possible.

Sales is a huge subject, so you'd need to use that as a guideline to help you come up with a more specific topic. For instance, you might write about sales trends in technology, the individual sales growth of a particular company, the effect of digital marketing on retail sales, etc. If you're not sure what your teacher or boss has in mind, though, it's always best to ask!

A legal report typically presents a neutral assesment of the relevant facts. Include an executive summary at the top, and conclude with recommendations for further action if necessary. Back up these recommendations with facts, not opinion.

See if you teacher has specific guidelines for formatting your title. If not, center the title at the top of the page and put the text in bold or underline it.

Attach them to the end of the report and title each one Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.

First, decide how you want to organize your information. For instance, you might decide to present everything chronologically, or you might find it's better to talk about the teacher's teaching methods in one section, classroom management in another, and student progress in a third.

Spend a little time researching the effectiveness on database management systems in your industry. Then, use the data that you find to project the effect that such a system would have on your particular company. If you're being asked to report on a system you already have, look for data within your organization that demonstrates how effective the software has been since it was implemented. It's likely that you'll need to end your report with a recommendation.

Yes, but you have to make sure the photo is under a Creative Commons license, not copyright, and make sure to credit the creators.

Pick an aspect of politics that you find interesting. For instance, you might write about the importance of the grassroots political movements in the 1960s, or the effect that social media is having on politics today. If you're not sure what your teacher has in mind, though, don't be afraid to ask!

Writing a report can seem scary, but if you follow the steps outlined here, the process should go smoothly for you!

Yes, that would be good. Giving the audience the idea about what you are trying to report on.

The process of writing any report is very similar. However, if you're not exactly sure about the format you're supposed to be using, it's best to talk to your teacher or boss to make sure you get it exactly right!

Well first you should interview the fan and then brainstorm based on your interview what you should include in the report. After you are done with the report have the fan you interviewed check it over for accuracy.

There is not a set amount for reports, but for a standard essay-like report, 5 paragraphs is fine. It depends on how much information you need to convey, and if you're writing for school, usually the teacher will tell you how long it should be.

Choose a topic and get information about that. Finally, write the report using the instructions from the article above.

You can use the same process outlined here. Just review the data to come up with a main thesis, then use the information you were given to support that thesis.

Place it beside the paragraph that contains the information/data on which the table or graph is based.

You have to click header in the options on where you are typing and then you can write the date and your name if needed.

Think about everything that occurred during the conference, and try to come up with something that you thought was interesting. For instance, if you noticed that several of the speakers spoke about something similar, you might write about that

If the report requires you to make the visit in person, do that first, and take careful notes during your trip. Otherwise, research what the process would entail. Then, use your research to come up with a thesis statement, like, "The technology used during the meat inspection process helps make people safer by protecting the quality of our food."