3.4.5 Writing papers and reports
Structure
Remember a well-structured paper or report that seeks to communicate a technical issue to a business reader will have a beginning, a middle and an end. It is not a chance to tell your reader absolutely everything ever written or said on the topic. Analysing a topic will enable you to understand what is required. It will also help you understand the intention of the person who has set the topic. Analysing a topic will help you work out what information you should include as just as importantly, what information you should exclude.
The Introduction
This should explain the scope of the paper (what you are going to cover and why). It may indicate what you understand by the title and reference definition and assumptions.
The Main Body
Develop your ideas/line of argument as fully as you can (with one main topic or idea per paragraph). Tell the story. Build your argument. Describe, explain and justify the points you make. It is not enough just to assert them. Confirm your ideas by referencing published materials, support what you say with examples and diagrams. Most importantly offer new data/evidence to back up the propositions you make.
At all times keep in focus the specification (what you have been asked to do and the main themes of your argument).
The Conclusion
Summarise your main points, draw conclusions and make suggestions if appropriate. Refer back to your objectives for the paper. It if asks a specific question, you have answered it?
List the main headings/sections you are going to write. Remember - beginning middle and end. Write rough notes or main points under each heading. Underline the most important. Cross through the irrelevant. Put question marks through points you are unsure about - decide whether or not to include or reject them later. Group them with circles and relate ideas together with lines and arrows.
Now write up you notes as a draft paper using the headings in logical sequence. Don't worry too much at this stage about precise spelling and grammar.
Read through what you have written and decide whether or not to include points you were unsure about earlier.
Now tackle the English, the spelling, the punctuation and the grammar. Are sentences, sentences?
Be warned - you may have written the draft. The creative work is largely accomplished but final editorial work can be very, very time consuming. Hence don't leave things to the last minute.
LEAVE IT ASIDE FOR A DAY OR TWO before you finalise it. Get a friend to provide the critical final check. Discuss it; clarify points; modify text, and sort the information into a logical structure. Make sure there are page numbers on every page. Review the layout (see below) and check the sequences and content. Cut and paste, add or delete sections.
Ask Yourself
- Overall make sure it is easy to read and 'flows' from key issue to the next issue.
- Does the report answer the question/satisfy the brief?
- Is the content relevant, well sequenced (logically arranged) and to the point?
- Are all the main aspects covered in sufficient depth?
- Is each main point well supported with explanation and evaluation, examples and argument?
- Is there clear distinction between your ideas and other people's ideas? Are all sources acknowledged (references?)
- Is the length what was required? If it is too long can over elaborate sections be made more concise? Can some sections be omitted for reasons that they add little to your main argument?
- Is the report clearly written and well laid out?
- Have I really considered the reader's needs?
- Is the report legible and is the grammar, punctuation and spelling correct?
- Are the sentences and is the sense clear?
Dangers
Take a copy. Put away your computer disk in a safe place. Hand in the original on time.
When a piece of course work is returned to you read the comments made by your tutor. Discuss them with her/him if you need clarification. Remind yourself of these comments before you embark on your next piece of course work.
Group Reports
If you are asked to submit a group report, even though, individually, you may be looking at different aspects (and therefore writing a separate section). Ensure that you:-
Work together to produce a coherent report in both content and style
List each person's contribution on the front of the report
Record Your Sources
For each assignment, you MUST reference all sources. Listing your bibliography is the last step. When you make notes, always record the source whether lecture, journal or book. When completing a piece of written work it is important that you acknowledge all ideas and information that are not your own.