Writing An Academic Report

By Author: Kiran Chauhan
Total Articles: 17
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Some students, in particular those who study business or science, are required to write reports for their course.
Your report should have the following sections:
1. Preliminaries:

Title page
Abstract
Contents

2. Main text:

Introduction
Methodology
Findings/Results
Discussion
Conclusion

3. End matter:

References
Appendices

We will look at sections 1 and 2 in this article, with clear information on what these sections entail.

1. Preliminaries
You need to start with a title page, which should provide the necessary information to make it clear to the marker what the piece of work is. The requirements for title page information can vary from subject to subject, but typically should contain your name and course, the title of the report, the module, and the lecturer.

Reports are usually required to include an abstract and a contents page. Background information is given in the abstract, which goes into the aims of the report. It should also provide ...
... some information about the chosen methods, the most valuable results, and the conclusion. There are many helpful guides online that can help with writing an abstract. The contents page is simply to allow the reader to see the main sections of the report, and locate them easily if necessary.

2. The main text
This is made up of clear paragraphs that explore the main ideas, arguments, and data, and each section should go into one of the subcategories of the key issue. Each paragraph should make its points clearly, and flow easily to the following paragraph.
The text should go in this order:
I. Introduction
II. Methodology
III. Findings/Results
IV. Discussion
V. Conclusion

I. Introduction.
The introduction is for introducing the central aim of the report, and should:
a. Include a brief overview of the relevant literature, for background.
b. Explain how your report fills an existing gap in current research and knowledge.
c. State the main points that the report will look at.
d. Indicate how the question or report topic is directly addressed.

II. Methodology.
You need to give the details for how you gathered the data for your report in the methodology. This could include the procedures involved, or any material used.

III. Findings/Results.
In this part, you need to show all the data that has been gathered. This can include tables, diagrams, images, or graphs. You must include information about the location of the information, and key details of the data.

IV. Discussion.
In the discussion, you need to demonstrate how the results from the data lead directly on the conclusion you will draw. It is important here to point out any limitations to the report, and provide some reasons for why this may be the case.

V. The conclusion.
Here you need to state your final thoughts on the matter. Your conclusion should:
a. Briefly go over the key issues from your introduction, and show how everything relates.
b. Provide a clear conclusion.
c. Clearly indicate that you have finished your report, and that you have obtained the main aim of the report.

If your report contains these main elements, you should be on the right track. If you are happy with the content you have written, you must be sure to proofread the document to a good standard. Remember, poor grammar and spelling can result in losing up to 10% of your marks. If you can, it is worthwhile having someone else proofread your work, as it can be quite difficult to spot one’s own mistakes, no matter how good a writer you may be. If the report is of particular significance to your overall grade, hiring a professional proofreader to take a look can make all the difference in the final grade you receive. Go a Google search for academic proofreading services, and contact them to see which will work best for you.

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