4. Writing Reports
A Report is a factual account presented in a particular form .
In a report the stress is on facts and objectivity. As
presentation is limited to preset formats there is not much
freedom for a writer to innovate. Therefore, they are likely
to vary in length, content, nature and format.
5. Types of Reports
Reports can be presented orally as well as in writing. Each
has its own place in our lives. An oral report is useful in
situations where time is of the essence and no record is need
to kept. There are two categories of reports—FORMAL &
INFORMAL. Formal reports are presented in fixed formats.
Formal reports constitute three sub- categories----routine
reports, informational reports & interpretive reports.
Varieties of Reports:-
Routine Reports:-
These reports are filed at regular intervals, such as,
confidential reports, progress reports and inspection
reports. As the nature of reporting remain same
throughout there is not much scope for any change.
Therefore, such reporting is done in prescribed printed
6. Interpretive Reports:-
Interpretive reports are basically informational--- their raw
material is facts and data. However, their job does not
end at providing information. The writer of such a report
is expected to interpret the collected information,
evaluate it, draw conclusions and give his
recommendations.Information Reports:-
Such reports are written to present information in the
form of data or observations. In them there is no place
for evaluation and recommendations. This type of report
mentions the methodology, i.e. , what procedure was
adopted to collect the required judgment.
8. Parts of a Report
1) Title
2) Terms of reference
3) Introduction
4) Procedure
5) Findings
6) Conclusion
7) Bibliography
9. Title:-
Just as a book has a title so does a report. The title
should be such as gives an idea as to what he is going to
find in the report. The title should act as an appetizer and
not as a replacement for the main course. The purpose
of a title is to goad a person to read the report proper.
Terms of reference:-
Usually a report is written by the chairperson of a
committee. He is informed by is written by the person
who has the authority to constitute the panel about the
details of the job, i.e. the resolution about the setting up
of the committee, date of meeting, name of the panel
member etc. The report writer has to mention all the
details which constitute the terms of reference.
10. Introduction:-
After mentioning the terms of reference the writer
introduces his subject and gives a summary of what is
going to follow. This gives the reader an indication as to
what he will come across in the rest of the report.
Procedure:-
In this part the writer explains how he accomplished the
task he was entrusted with. He may have been
instructed to strictly follow a particular procedure to
complete his task. In both situations he has to apprise
the reader of his methodology, i.e., he may have
conducted interviews and surveys; he a my have
distributed questionnaires; or he may have consulted
books, journals, newspapers etc.
11. Findings:-
After analyzing the collected data, the writer interprets it,
and finally evaluates it this helps him get to the cause/ s
of the problem he has been asked to analyse. These
cause are his finding
Conclusion:-
Finding the cause/ s is not the end of report writing. Now
the writer makes inferences from what he has found.
Evaluation involves drawing conclusions and making
judgments. Conclusions indicate to the reader that the
discussion is over and the report has come to an end.
Some writers use this part to Acknowledge. Some writers
prefer to have a separate acknowledgement page for this
purpose.
12. Bibliograph
y:-Many a time a report writer will feel the
need to refer to material, published or
otherwise, to support his findings. These
sources will be Primary and Secondary.
Primary sources will have a direct bearing
on his topic while he will refer to
secondary source to support his thesis.