Structure

The writing phase begins with determining your structure. A report is written to persuade the reader of the key message. The key message should determine the structure of the report, specifically the sections within the report. Additionally the structure may be determined by the individual lecturer and may vary considerably according to the task's purpose and audience.

 

General report structure

Report structures can vary but these are common sections found in a report.

  • Title page: should include the report title, author's name, receiver's name (that is the unit and lecturer), date
  • Table of contents
  • Executive summary: briefly outlines key message, purpose, findings, conclusions and recommendations. Sometimes known as synopsis or abstract.
  • Introduction: gives the aim, scope and background. Also previews the report structure. May include the overall answer (suggested solution).
  • Discussion: the findings and analysis. These findings provide the justification for your recommendation(s). This section needs to develop the material in a clear, logical and coherent manner. Relevant subheadings make it easier for the reader to follow the structure. This structure should reflect the structure outlined in the introduction.
  • Conclusion: summary of main findings and conclusions based on these findings. The conclusion should outline the key points/findings and state the recommendations that follow from the analysis. 
  • Recommendations: actions that should be undertaken. This section is sometimes combined with the conclusion.
  • Appendices: holds technical information which would clutter the body of the report e.g. calculations for numbers referred to in the discussion. Should not include your argument.
  • References: any external evidence cited

For some reports you will be given very specific instuctions regarding the structure and what to include. Even if the different sections of the report are specified for you, there must be a logical sequence of ideas and information and a line of narrative that persuades the reader you have a good solution/recommendation/analysis.

Therefore each section should have a purpose that ties it to the overall message and each paragraph should have a point that ties it to the purpose of the section.

 

Structuring the body section of a report

The discussion section is where you can have scope to decide on how to structure your writing and what sub headings you want to include. There is more than one way to structure your ideas - no one way is more correct - rather it depends on your overall message and what is most logical for your report.

In the examples below, the students have determined that their key message is that "the investor should invest in NVT because of reasons A, B and C". The following three structure are possible ways to present those reasons and the evidence that supports them.

Struture 1

Structure 2

Structure 3

Introduction

Ratio analysis

  Reason A

Industry statistics

  Reason A

Stock exchange

  Reason B

Media information

  Reason B

  Reason C

Conclusion

Introduction

Ratio analysis

  Industry statistics

  Stock exchange

  Media information

Reasons A B C

  Conclusion

Introduction

Reason A

 Ratio analysis

 Industry statistics

Reason B

 Stock exchange

 Media information

Reason C

  Media information

Conclusion

In deciding which structure is best, you need to look for whether the ideas flow in a logical sequence (for example does one idea naturally flow from the previous), avoid repetition and be persuasive. 

Writing the report >>

Reference Documents

Use contact details to request an alternative file format.

Contact

  • ANU Library Academic Skills
  • +61 2 6125 2972
  • Send email