The first thing that you need to do when you start to write a report is to know exactly what it is that you are writing about. This may seem a really obvious thing to say because of course you know what you are writing about - you have an idea, a theme, a title so that bit is the least of your worries. Actually, you may know exactly what you need to write without having a clue what to write and spend hours looking at a blank piece of paper or a computer screen.
If this is where you are at, then spend some time creating a plan of what it is you want to cover in your report. This does not have to be word perfect or have accurate grammar and spelling; it is purely an exercise in getting some focus to your report so that you can construct it properly.
Once you start putting some ideas on paper, you will find that you will think of other things that you want to include quite easily. Perhaps the things that you think of are vital to your report, maybe some of them are just little asides that you would like to include but are not of the same importance as some of your ideas. It doesn’t matter: Write them all down. This exercise will help you turn your vague, fuzzy ideas into something concrete that you can work with. Once you have completed your outline, go over it and number the points that you have made in order of importance and where you would like them to fit into your report. This will help you find a structure to your report so that it flows easily and smoothly.
When you start to write your report, use the introduction to outline what it is you are going to cover - and keep referring to it as you write. This way you will keep yourself on track and your report will have structure and purpose.
If this is where you are at, then spend some time creating a plan of what it is you want to cover in your report. This does not have to be word perfect or have accurate grammar and spelling; it is purely an exercise in getting some focus to your report so that you can construct it properly.
Once you start putting some ideas on paper, you will find that you will think of other things that you want to include quite easily. Perhaps the things that you think of are vital to your report, maybe some of them are just little asides that you would like to include but are not of the same importance as some of your ideas. It doesn’t matter: Write them all down. This exercise will help you turn your vague, fuzzy ideas into something concrete that you can work with. Once you have completed your outline, go over it and number the points that you have made in order of importance and where you would like them to fit into your report. This will help you find a structure to your report so that it flows easily and smoothly.
When you start to write your report, use the introduction to outline what it is you are going to cover - and keep referring to it as you write. This way you will keep yourself on track and your report will have structure and purpose.
