STRUCTURING A
REPORT OR
DISSERTATION
Report and dissertations have a different
structure and layout to an
essay
A report is used for reference and is often quite a long document. It has
to be clearly structured for you and your readers to quickly find the
information wanted.
Follow guidelines given to you when
asked to write the report, but, if not given any, the
format below
is generally acceptable. If you are not supplied with a required or
recommended outline, this one will probably suffice, although not every
report will need all the sections. If you do have a recommended outline,
you should use that, but the plan
below will help to explain what goes into each section.
You need to plan carefully to make sure that the information which you
have gathered gets put under the correct headings. Decide on your headings
and subheadings.
Example
The headings and subheading you need will be determined by the aims of your
report and the requirements of your course.
Make a list of the main parts (as shown under
Parts of a Report)
that you will need for your
report. Then add your own headings and subheadings as appropriate.
Go through the material you have gathered and list all your points and
any supporting information under the appropriate headings.
[Now take a break and come back later, refreshed.]
Go through the points under each heading and underline the most
important. Cross through any that seem irrelevant, or put them under
another heading if they are out of place. Leave the points which you are
unsure about. You can decide whether to include or reject them later.
Arrange the headings into a logical sequence. Read through what you
have planned and decide whether or not to include the points about which
you were unsure.
Decide what supporting information should go into the appendices and
what should remain in the main body.
Draft some interim conclusions by summarising, analysing and evaluating
your findings.
Consider what recommendations (if required) should be made.
Write a full draft, taking account of the points on structure outlined
above, and the points on layout outlined below.
REVISE, REDRAFT, REVISE, REDRAFT...
Read through the draft, checking for errors and making revisions.
Use the
spellchecker
on your computer and
also a
grammar check
if available.