Page 29 - Mini-Module 11

Writing the Report

You are now ready to write an effective report. Even just applying the
points outlined above can help to transform unintelligible reports into
documents of managerial utility. Now we need to look at the way in
which the 'story' unfolds, and give the report a framework which will
help to ensure coherence.
There are several items of information which you must cover. Although
they do not apply to all types of reports, they are generally relevant to
most of the 'management‐type' reports which people are expected to
write. As a guide, you must tell your reader:
● The original intention of your report.

● What you actually did.

● What you found out.
● What you made of your discoveries.

● The conclusions you reached.

● Your recommendations.
In this list we have used language everyone can understand. In other
texts, you may find those items under the headings of parameters and
terms of reference, methodology, findings, analysis and interpretation,
conclusions, and recommendations. Whichever words you use, they
mean very much the same, and provide the structure within which you
can reveal your story. Some experts on report writing offer the good
advice:
Tell ‘em what you are going to tell ‘em’.
Tell ‘em’.

Tell ‘em what you told ‘em’.

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