Report Writing Query
Discussion
Just after some report-writing advice... In terms of layout / structure there tends to be a lot of guidance but not really solid rules, so I guess a lot comes down to preference. For anyone that has written or writes reports for education or work, when you have a structure that will include lots of multi-level lists i.e. 1.1.2.1 etc, how would you align the text throughout that report?..
So for example, I find it easier to read if the body of text is indented as per the level's it's in, as it's easier to see what sub-heading you're reading from, the trouble is when you have multi-levels, you can end up with narrow paragraphs and wasted space:
Or, an alternative is to have the text indent back to the left margin regardless of the sub heading level, which saves space but IMO can mean you lose track of where you're reading from:
Hope that makes sense, any opinions or suggestions? I get way too caught up in the formatting and especially with Word it drives me up the wall at times, but I can't focus on the writing itself unless I'm happy with the structure beforehand
So for example, I find it easier to read if the body of text is indented as per the level's it's in, as it's easier to see what sub-heading you're reading from, the trouble is when you have multi-levels, you can end up with narrow paragraphs and wasted space:
Or, an alternative is to have the text indent back to the left margin regardless of the sub heading level, which saves space but IMO can mean you lose track of where you're reading from:
Hope that makes sense, any opinions or suggestions? I get way too caught up in the formatting and especially with Word it drives me up the wall at times, but I can't focus on the writing itself unless I'm happy with the structure beforehand
bucksmanuk said:
Find out what has been done in the past and got approved
- Do that
Certainly this if the recipient is a large organisation, or a person from a large organisation. If not I would go with the second option to reduce the white space. To avoid losing track I would use lots of subheadings. - Do that
Decide on a font, palatino is nice. Decide what size of font you need, 12 point is a good basis Do you need to put headers and footers on the page?
Personally I do not number the paragraphs but use a larger point of font for the headings, personal taste though. Do not use underlining it is naff, used by typists before word processors to accentuate a heading.
I use the following format
Describe the purpose of the report.
Explain your findings
Describe your recommendations if required, don’t leave to the end of report, not everyone will want to wade through it all. The higher up the chain your report the less likely they are to read it all.
Explain in detail what equipment, reference books you used to achieve the results.
List the serial numbers of equipment used, safety label etc
Make a H and S statement if required on the practises you used.
Add appendices with any calculations etc you have used to achieve your goals
Go to the CAA website and look at an investigation report, they are so professionally written and give you a good model on how to structure a report.
If you PM me I will send you a report I had to do for HNC civil on concrete mixing
Personally I do not number the paragraphs but use a larger point of font for the headings, personal taste though. Do not use underlining it is naff, used by typists before word processors to accentuate a heading.
I use the following format
Describe the purpose of the report.
Explain your findings
Describe your recommendations if required, don’t leave to the end of report, not everyone will want to wade through it all. The higher up the chain your report the less likely they are to read it all.
Explain in detail what equipment, reference books you used to achieve the results.
List the serial numbers of equipment used, safety label etc
Make a H and S statement if required on the practises you used.
Add appendices with any calculations etc you have used to achieve your goals
Go to the CAA website and look at an investigation report, they are so professionally written and give you a good model on how to structure a report.
If you PM me I will send you a report I had to do for HNC civil on concrete mixing
Thanks chaps, it's technically an academic report for a degree programme I'm on, but it's being done through an apprenticeship so is sort of tailored to my job.
So it's being marked by the university but will sit in a portfolio I'm putting together for my employer. The uni give rough guidance of structure but the degree programme is made up on many different company's employees so we all have different interpretations of layout etc.
Mercdriver I will shoot you a message, that should come in handy. I did my HNC in Construction last year but they were generally a bit more liberal regards the structuring and more focussed on content. This now being a degree there's more weighting on things like this.
ETA: I think you have emails disabled mate but I believe mine is on 'allow' so if that works then feel free to message me
So it's being marked by the university but will sit in a portfolio I'm putting together for my employer. The uni give rough guidance of structure but the degree programme is made up on many different company's employees so we all have different interpretations of layout etc.
Mercdriver I will shoot you a message, that should come in handy. I did my HNC in Construction last year but they were generally a bit more liberal regards the structuring and more focussed on content. This now being a degree there's more weighting on things like this.
ETA: I think you have emails disabled mate but I believe mine is on 'allow' so if that works then feel free to message me
Copy sent, not on I pad had to use windows 10 which I hate. Should have gone ok, let me know if you do not receive it. Files from HNC are on old shuttle that I built 20 years ago, no longer supported with windows XP so had to use newish HP laptop which I use to wedge open the door.
Geriatric ol’ me struggling to get e mail set up on windows 10, not a fan prefer apple, intuitive to use.
Bought new I pad last week, young assistant asks if I can help? Can I order spares for my apple Lisa? Did not have a clue what I was asking for
Geriatric ol’ me struggling to get e mail set up on windows 10, not a fan prefer apple, intuitive to use.
Bought new I pad last week, young assistant asks if I can help? Can I order spares for my apple Lisa? Did not have a clue what I was asking for
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