Format for a Report

Report writing is a common assignment and in order to deliver a good document, it is very important that you know how to create a format for a report. In fact, creating a format is the first step that should always be taken when planning to write a report. The purpose of the format is to provide you with a clear outline for writing the report without so much stress. Read on for guidelines and sample reports to motivate you in writing a good format for a report.

A report refers to a properly organized document which defines and analyzes a topic or subject. There are various aspects that can be included in a report like a record of sequence of events, interpretation of the significance of those events, evaluation of the facts or results of research presented in the document, discussion of the outcomes of a course of action and conclusions. All these are important in a report and should be considered when creating a format for your report.

Knowing how to write a format for a report can help you in several ways. A good format will help you in refining and organizing your points for proper flow of ideas or facts. The format for an academic report is almost similar to those of other academic papers, therefore, the skills can as well enable you to deliver good papers for assignments and end term tests.

Guidelines on how to write a format for a report

Generally, there is no definite format to be followed when writing a report. However, there are certain elements that must be clearly brought out in your document to ensure that it fits the description of a report. The following are some tips to guide you in developing well organized format for a report.

At the time of drafting a format for the report, you must have at least gained some clues about the requirements of the paper and even come up with various ideas to present therein. The basis of writing a format is to help you in analyzing those ideas in order to determine the best ones to be used in writing the report.

Before you start writing the report, it is advisable that you carefully review your ideas in order to properly understand the purpose of the report and the best angle to pursue in order to get your message home.

A report is mainly comprised of a title, summary, introduction, body, conclusion, recommendations and references. The best way to organize these is through sub headings, bullets or numbers.

Another things that you should bear in mind when developing a format for your report is simplicity and clarity. Remember the format should act as your plan and point of reference, so do not include long and complicated statements that would be difficult to comprehend when writing. A good format should be written in simple language and only include the necessary and important points for the report.

In case there is an idea that you think would be useful in the report but do not have clear information about it, it is advisable that you research on it in advance. The format should precisely show the key points for the report, thus, including something that you are not sure of therein would give you a hard time when writing.

It is also advisable that you check your sources to ensure that all are reliable and can be easily found since you will need to also identify them in the report. Just like with other points for the report, it is advisable that you do away with a source if it is not reliable since that would present flawed information which can eventually discredit the report.

Steps on how to write a format for a report

A well-organized format for a report should provide a clear path to be followed in crafting every section of the document. However, this does not mean that you have to explain every detail in the format as it will be presented in the report, instead, simply give the highlights for easy reference.

Title

The format should show the title for your report as it will appear in the final document. In some papers, the title can be written on the first page. However, you can also simply write yours at the top in the same page where other details will be highlighted.

Acknowledgment

Although this is not mandatory, it is recommended for long reports. The purpose of this section is to highlight some of the people outside your institution who helped with the work. In the format, you can simply list the names or initials of those people if any.

Summary

The aim of the summary is to provide your readers with a short outline of the report so they have a general idea of what the document is about. It can highlight the overall aims and specific objectives of the study, methods or procedures, key findings and main conclusions and recommendations.

In the format, you can simply list these elements for discussion in the final report. In order to enhance clarity, always use bullets or numbering to highlight the points for this section.

Introduction

The introduction to a report should give the basic structure of the document. The best way to represent this in the format is writing a short little background information about the subject of the report. Besides, you can also list terms of reference and procedures or methods of the study to point out the conclusion.

Body paragraphs

The body is the bulk of the report and should comprehensively explain the subject of discussion in a way that fits a report. On this section, you will also need to properly organize your points in headings and sub-headings.

For example, your points can be organized in the form of situation, problem, solution and evaluation in that order.

The body paragraphs of a report can also include diagrams, tables and charts to reinforce your arguments. In case you are planning to use any of these, it is advisable that you also indicate them and where each will be used when writing the final document.

Results

Not all reports usually have this section, but for scientific and engineering reports, you have to include it. This implies, formats for such reports must highlight the results of the study discussed in the report.

You can simply write a short statement summing up the results or simply list them. Besides, you can also choose to use tables, graphs and statistics here. In case you decide to do so, they must also be shown in the format.

Conclusion

The aim of a conclusion in report writing is to give the implications, with deductions based on the facts discussed in the body paragraphs. When writing the format or final report, always remember not to include any new information on this part since that would alter the context of the document and confuse your readers.

The format can simply give a short statement outlining how the conclusion of the report will be formulated. On the other hand, you can also just list points addressing the conclusions for explanation in the final document.

Recommendations

In most occasions, some combine this section with the conclusions. However, you can also give yours on a different subheading. On this part, you should list suggestions or actions to be taken for improving the situation or problem outlined in the report. However, it is also not bad to just give the recommendations in the form of a statement.

Appendices

This is where you will include technical details to support the conclusions for experts to read. Simply list the details for further explanation in the document.

References

At the end of the document, you will be required to also give the links to your sources. Therefore, you should also make sure that all your sources are well outlined in the format so you do not have to struggle finding them when writing.

Examples of Formats for Reports

It is also recommended that you read a few sample formats for reports in order to vividly see how good ones should be crafted.  Read the following examples for more insights on how to easily write a properly organized format for a report.

Example 1

Sample Report format

• Title Page

Report title, your name and submission date

• Executive Summary

Overview of subject matter, methods of analysis, findings and recommendations

• Table of Contents

List of sections and their page numbers

• Introduction

Terms of reference and outline of the report’s structure…

Read the whole format here.

Example 2

Basic format for a scientific report

• Title

……………………………………………..

• Abstract

…………………………………………….

• Introduction

…………………………………………….

• Methods

……………………………………………

• Discussion

Get a detailed illustration of the format here.

Example 3

Format for an Accounting Report

• Assignment cover sheet
• Letter of transmittal
• Title Page
• Executive Summary
• Table of Content
• Introduction…

Simply click here to find the whole format.

 

In case you may need help on how to create a format for a report, simply get in touch with us. Besides, you can also refer to our homepage for more information on how to acquire professional report writing services.

 

References

http://library.bcu.ac.uk/learner/writingguides/1.02%20Reports.htm

http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/style-and-usage/report-writing-format.html

http://biggsuccess.com/bigg-articles/how-to-write-a-great-report/

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/726/01/