The_Essential_Manager_s_Handbook

280 / SPEAKING AND WRITING

Writing reports

Reports are longer and more comprehensive than most documents,

and are written for the purpose of documenting actions, describing

projects and events, and capturing information on complex issues.

They are often written by more than one person for audiences with

multiple needs and interests.

INCLUDE A

COVER LETTER

As a courtesy to your reader,

always include a cover letter

to accompany the report,

explaining what the report

covers and why. Where

appropriate, include the

report’s most important

recommendations or findings.

Planning your report Tip

There are three main questions to

consider when compiling a report:

• Who is in your audience? Think
  about their level of interest in the
  content, and their familiarity with
  the issues, ideas, and vocabulary
  you plan to use.


• What is the ideal format? Consider
  how your readers will use the
  document—will they start from
  the beginning and read through
  page by page, or will they skip to
  sections that interest them most?


• Is the document properly^
  organized? Consider using a
  bold typeface for headings and
  subheadings to help organize the
  information and make it retrievable.

Writing the report

Reports are divided into three

sections: front matter (including

title page, abstract, table of contents,

and list of figures and tables), the

main body of the report, and end

matter (bibliography, appendices,

glossary, and index). Begin the

main body with an executive

summary, detailing the report’s

key points and recommendations.

Busy executives may only read

this section, so it must tell them

all they need to know in order

for them to agree with your

recommendations.

Busy business leaders may

only read the executive

summary of a report, so

it must tell them all they

need to know in order for

them to understand

your recommendations

US_280-281_Writing_Reports.indd 280 31/05/16 5:29 pm