GETTING SET TO WRITE A REPORT

Shawnee Carr
Governor Simcoe Secondary School
Mr. Honsberger

November 12, 2015

Introduction

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How to Write An Essay

There are several ways in which to proceed with writing a report.

The circumstances under which a report is to be written dictate to a
large expert the way in which the writer begins.
If a report is to be written as a class argument, there will likely
be at least two constraints on the report writer. These are: (1) Size:
Very often, teachers (or instructors) will assign a report that is to fall
within a specified size range (for example, ten to twelve typewriter
pages); and (2) Content: The students report writer is most often
required to either write on an assigned topic .or a topic specifically
related to a given field of study. (Blow)
Reports written for business purposes generally do not have size
restrictions, although in some cases a client may specify that progress
reports and the like are not to exceed a given number of pages. The
content of business reports, of course, is dictated by the
circumstances. Thus, the writer never has to decide what to write
about.
Reports written for social, fraternal, or similar organizations
probably have the fewest constraints. This type of report is most
usually evaluated in terms of grading or business communication. As a
result, the length is seldom specified and the content reflects the
needs of the organization.
Of the three above-mentioned varieties of reports, those
assigned in school are in many ways the most difficult. The limits that

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are often set for the student create an almost artificial situation unique
to such reports. The task of arriving at a suitable scope for a report, as
discussed below, creates a frustrating situation as does the job of
finding sufficient while not overwhelming reference material. However,
it would be unfair to say such exercises are most without a great deal
of value. Such demands on research, organization, and writing skills
certainly improve and polish existing abilities. (Light)

Square One-Selecting the Topic

This first step, obviously, is applicable only to those situations in
which one may or must select the subject of the report.
There are a number of factors that bear upon this decision. The
following paragraphs explain some of these factors.
Scope. If the student is to select a topic that relates to the
material discussed in an American history class and the report is to be
between 15 and 20 Typewriter pages long, scope is a crucial factor. The
writer would not, for example, attempt to treat the civil war in 20
pages or less; such an undertaking would at least resulting an outline
of the events. A more practical approach would be to select some
narrower, though significant, aspect of that are could be developed to
a meaning full extent within the limited number of pages prescribed.
Interest. The students report writer may or may not have the
luxury of selecting a subject of the report will make the extensive

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research and writing involved more enjoyable. One fairly failsafe way
to accomplish this is to spend some time browsing through different
sources. Like window shopping, this process often makes a person
aware of something they like.
Availability of reference material. There would be no point in
deciding to report on Shermans march to the sea if there were not
enough resource material with which to develop the subject. This is
where the writer must begin to use research skills. After examining the
encyclopedia history texts, and current periodicals (such as natural
history, national geographic magazines, Smithsonian), with the help of
the card catalog and the Readers Guide to Periodical Literature , the
writer can get a feel for the amount of resource material that is
available as well as the extent of detail with which the subject is
treated.
Background. If the report has ample time (and intends to invest
it in researching and writing the report), it is good idea to undertake a
report on a topic on which the writer has limited knowledge. This will
increase the benefits of having co0mpleted such an exercise by
extending the writers store of information. However, the time to be
spent on the report is severely limited, the writer may want to select a
topic that is familiar so that the direction that the report will take and
ways of organizing the material are not as difficult to deal with.

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Orderly Research
Consider time and energy can be saved if the writer takes this
research part in an orderly fashion. The following three step, if followed
exactly and completely, will yield an order basis for the writing step.
Check document sources. Using the card catalog and the
Readers Guide to Periodical Literature, the writer completes on 5 x 3
index card for each entry that looks as though it might provide needed
material. Included on that card will be the following information:
Author, last name first
Title
Publisher
City in which published
Publication date
Number of pages (if a nook)
Pages referenced
Completing all of these cards at once provides: (a) all the
information for locating the needed material; (b) freedom from having
to repeatedly return to the card catalog when any of the resources fail
to provide needed information; and (c) all of the information needed
for footnotes and the bibliography. If any of the references prove
unsatisfactory, the corresponding index card can be thrown away. Of
those cards that remain, assign a number or a letter to each for
identification purposes.

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Gather material. While reading through reference material, the

writer should summarize relevant information; of course such direct
questions should be noted as such. It is helpful to write these
summaries on 8 x 5 note cards, placing summaries of distant topics
and subtopics on separate cards. In this way , the cards, write the
letter or number of the 5 x 3 index card that identifies the source of
the material written on it this saves having to copy all of this
information again.
Organize material. If notes on the reading are separated by the
topic as suggested above, making an outline will not be difficult. Begin
by trying to make four to six stacks of cards that relate to each other
more than they do to others. A short phrase should be written that
describes the commonality within each stack. These short phrases
provide the main headings of the outline. Within each of these stacks,
the cards are parted into four to six stacks that relate to each other; a
short phrase is written to sum up their content. These short phrases
will be the subtopics for the outline. The writer will find that some
bending will be necessary, but the for the most part this proves
simplified method of organizing research material. (Bagg)
As the writers follows these steps that frustration of the report
writing will be minimized. With added experience, of course the writer
will find way in which to customize the process to fit the individuals
working and writing style.

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
..
SQUARE ONE-SELECTING THE
TOPIC..
Scope
..
Interest
..
Availability of reference
material............................................................
Background
.........
ORDERLY
RESEARCH
........
Check Document
Sources...
.
Gather
Material
.....
Organize
Material
..

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Works Cited
Bagg, James. "The Overused Essay." The Journal of Student Learning
2007: 22-26.
Blow, Joseph. Essays Are For Everyone. New york: Honco Publishing
Inc., 1999.
Light, Budd. Student Learning Project. 15 November 2010. 3 December
2013.

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