Guidelines For Referencing and Presentation in Written Reports and Essays

Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business)
College of Business:
Guidelines for referencing and presentation
in written reports and essays
Version: 4
Approved: April 2010

Review date: Not later than December 2011
Contents
1. Introduction 2
2. Referencing 4
2.2.1 Paraphrasing 4
2.2.2 Direct quotes 4
2.3.1 Referencing internet sources 5
2.4.1 Printed material and multimedia 10
2.4.2 Electronic journal articles 20
2.4.5 Order of entries in a reference list 22
3. Plagiarism 25
3.1.1 What constitutes plagiarism? 25
3.1.2 What is the penalty for plagiarism? 25
4. Essay writing 28
A Step By Step Guide to Essay Writing 28
Step 1 Choose your topic 28
Step 2 Read the instructions, relating to your assessments as set down in your Course Guide 28
Step 3 Analyse the topic 28
Step 5 Starting your research 30
Step 6 Mind mapping 30
Step 7 Focus your research 30
Step 8 Draw up a detailed plan 32
Step 9 Writing the Essay 32
Step 10 Writing the first draft 34
Step 11 Editing your final draft 35
5. Report Writing 36
A step by step guide to report writing 37
Step 1 Choose your topic 37
Step 2 Read the instructions relating to your assessments as set down in your Course Guide 37
Step 3 Analyse the topic 37
Step 4 Brain storm – what do you already know about the issue? 37
Step 5 Starting your research 37
Step 6 Mind mapping 37
Step 7 Focus your research 38
Step 8 Draw up a detailed plan 39
Step 9 Writing the report 40
Step 10 Using your plan to start writing 43
Step 11 Writing the first draft 43
Step 12 Formatting your report 44
Reference list 48
Bibliography 48
Glossary 49
Acknowledgements 50
Tables
Table Title Page

Table 1 Referencing styles – type of author 6
Table 2 Referencing styles – no author 6
Table 3 Referencing styles – books 7
Tables 4a-d Referencing styles 10
Table 5 Order of entries in a reference list 22
Table 6 Other referencing systems 23
Table 7 Commonly used abbreviations in referencing 24
Table 8 Direct use of another person's work without citation 26
Table 9 Paraphrasing without citation 26
Table 10 Piecing together texts and linking them 26
Table 11 Integrating ideas from multiple sources 27
Table 12 How to avoid accusations of plagiarism 27
Table 13 Action/instruction words used in assessment tasks 29
Table 14 Mind mapping for essays 30
Table 15 Checklist for essays 34
Table 16 Mind mapping for reports 38
Table 17 Sections of a report 40
Table 18 Examples of the language used in the different sections of a report 45
Table 19 Formal versus informal language 45
Table 20 Report writing checklist 47
Table 21 Glossary 49
1. Introduction
The written word is the basis of business communication today, whether in a formal business report, a letter, informal
memo or email. As a business professional, you will be judged by how well and how clearly you use words to communicate.
As well as teaching technical business skills in a broad range of disciplines, RMIT Business is also committed to help you
develop appropriate business writing skills for the University assessments you will be required to submit.
This document is intended for RMIT Business TAFE and undergraduate students, although postgraduate students are encouraged
to use it as a starting point. It details how to format your written work and demonstrates:
• • the differences between academic essays and business reports;
• • guidelines for their preparation;
• • how to ensure you meet the technical requirements;
• • how to cite references;
• • how to avoid plagiarism.
You will find a set of broad guidelines to help overcome common problems with grammar, formatting, and use of abbreviations.
This document is intended as an integral reference on matters of style and method. It will also help you further develop your
written communication skills.
The RMIT Business Guidelines are based on the Style manual for authors, editors and printers (2002), referred to here as Style
manual (2002) which is published on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia, and is the Commonwealth Government’s
preferred style. The Style manual (2002) can be used to provide guidance on areas which are not covered in the RMIT Business
document, but if there is any inconsistency you should follow the RMIT Business document.
There may be certain other style requirements published in a course guide or indicated by the lecturer in charge.
Examples used in this guide are presented in text boxes to make them easy to follow.
Example of correct in-text reference using quotes ‘Whilst this work has been developing in the USA it
had very different beginnings in Britain ‘ (Wright
1982, p. 51).
Additional support and assistance with essay writing, writing style, and referencing can be found by viewing the Learning Lab
<www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu>.
1.1 Getting started

Do not leave the task until the last minute. You are urged to consider the following advice in relation to written assessments:
• • Start thinking about the topic as soon as it has been selected and list the questions you believe you should try to
answer.
• • Do background reading, but keep checking the set topic to ensure that you stay focused.
• • Place the topic of your answer within the appropriate context. For example, an essay question on the
macroeconomic policies of a particular country will require you to define ‘macroeconomic’ before you can write about
policies in different countries. So you may need to complete background reading before commencing the specific reading
related to your written task.
• • What do you need to fully answer the question? Do you need to collect data, source more reading materials,
analyse new or existing data? Where will you source this information?
• • Allow time to secure essential references, remembering most libraries often do not have sufficient multiple
copies of references. Learn quickly to get the relevant information for your assignment, using the table of contents,
chapter summaries, indexes and reviews. Always record the details of the publications in full for inclusion in your notes
or plan in case you decide to refer to a source in your essay.
• • You should use all available research resources including the Internet and other electronic sources, to both save
time and allow you to conduct international research and data gathering from home or work. However, in using these new
technologies you must ensure that database resources, web pages, email, electronic discussion lists, etc. are properly
acknowledged (see chapter 3 for electronic document referencing).
1.2 Editing
Do not leave editing until the last minute, but leave sufficient time to rewrite work to improve your expression. Remove irrelevant
or redundant material. Refine arguments to be more concise and forceful, and to remedy any other deficiencies.
Hint:
Often, the best way to ensure your writing flows systematically is to read your work aloud. Your natural pauses
become your punctuation and paragraph breaks, and sometimes, while reading aloud, it becomes obvious what
needs to be deleted and what is missing from your analysis.
1.3 Confidentiality
If you include confidential and/or controversial material and do not wish your essay or report to be viewed by people other than
RMIT staff, you should discuss this with your lecturer or course coordinator.
1.4 Referencing
What is referencing?
• • Referencing means acknowledging someone else’s work or ideas. It is sometimes called ‘citing’ or
‘documenting’ another person’s work.
• • Referencing is a basic University requirement.
As an RMIT Business student, you are required to use the Harvard referencing system as outlined in the following pages. This
author date system is based on the Australian Government 2000, Style manual for authors, editors and printers, 6th edn, John Wiley
& Sons, Australia.
Note: The Harvard system has many variations. You must use this version known as the AGPS style.
We have created an interactive website to assist you in the pursuit of referencing to the required standard. The site contains
examples you can read as well as self help exercise with the information presented in a just in time format. It would be beneficial
fore you to bookmark the RMIT Business online referencing resource.
Why reference?
• • To draw on the ideas, language, data, and/or facts of others. (You are expected to read and research widely.)
• • To provide depth and support to academic work through citation of theories or key writers whose work supports
your answer, argument, or contention.
• • To demonstrate knowledge of current thinking in the field.
• • To support academic writing, essays, business reports, and oral presentations.
• • To demonstrate your ability to synthesis and analyse ideas sourced through your research.
• • To acknowledge work from others that you have quoted, summarised, paraphrased, synthesised, discussed or
mentioned in your assignments.
• • To provide a list of the publication details so that your readers can locate the source if necessary.
• • To demonstrate the level and breadth of research undertaken by a student. References used correctly will
benefit your work and may add to your final grade.
Note:
• • Without appropriate referencing students are in effect “stealing” the work of others- this is tantamount to
academic fraud and is called plagiarism.
• • Failure to reference your work means that you may be found guilty of plagiarism which incurs academic
penalties. Further information can be found at RMIT Regulations 6.1.1 – Student Discipline.
• • Failure to use the correct referencing format may affect the grading of your academic work.
2. Referencing
2. 1 Introduction
Whenever you rely on someone else’s work you must acknowledge that by providing details of the source. Harvard Referencing
has been developed to provide standard, compact ways of conveying this necessary information.
In this system, each reference is indicated in two areas of your work:
• • in the text (in-text citation) by using the name of the author(s) and the date of publication of the work.
• • In the reference list, where the full details of each reference, including the title and publishing details are given
2.2 In-text citations

There are two ways of referencing in-text:
• • Paraphrasing
• • Direct quotes
2.2.1 Paraphrasing
When paraphrasing, the ideas of the author(s) are expressed in your own words.
Paraphrasing is used to indicate to the reader:
• your understanding of the content in the reference you are using.

• your ability to relevantly and appropriately use ideas and information to support an argument or an opinion.
2.2.1.1 How to reference in-text

There are two options for in-text referencing
• Adding the citation at the end of the sentence.
• Using the author’s name as part of your sentence.
• When paraphrasing include the author’s name and date of publication.
e.g.
Lack of variability in a product is an important measure of its quality (Shannon 2003).
OR
Shannon (2003) describes the role of statistics in minimising product variability.
2.2.2 Direct quotes

When quoting, the exact words of the author(s) are used. Direct quotes should be kept to a minimum.
2.2.2.1 How to reference in-text

There are two options for in-text referencing
• Adding the citation at the end of the sentence
• Using the author’s name as part of your sentence
• When using direct quotes include the author’s name, date of publication and page number
e.g.
Statistical thinking can be defined as a ‘set of thought processes and value systems that focus on
understanding, managing and reducing variation in the output of the firm’ (Shannon 2003, p. 5).
OR
Shannon defines statistical thinking as a ‘set of thought processes and value systems that focus on
understanding, managing and reducing variation in the output of the firm’ (2003, p. 5).
2.3 A reference list
• • The publication details of every item cited / used in your writing need to be included in the reference list at the
end of your paper. Any websites used must also be documented in full. This enables the reader to locate the source if
they wish.
• • Each reference list entry requires a specific format depending on the reference type i.e. whether it is a book,
book chapter, journal article, website, etc. This is indicated in the following tables (page 6 onwards).
• • You must use a variety of sources in your written work e.g. books, journals and websites etc. This indicates
that you have researched widely.
What is the difference between a reference list and a bibliography?

• • A reference list details in alphabetical order by author family name, all the works/articles/journals/
monographs/web pages and data sources you have cited in your written work.
• • A bibliography lists, in alphabetical order by author family name, all the works/articles/journals/
monographs/web pages and data sources you have used or accessed to create your written work.
Note: RMIT Business requires all students to use a reference list in assessment tasks unless otherwise instructed by your lecturers.
2.3.1 Referencing internet sources

Referencing of web resources follows the same principles as for printed material. Often it is difficult to decide how to reference a
web site, especially when it originates from a corporate or government body.
It may not be clear:
• • who or which part of an organisation is responsible for the content. (Check the header, footer or “About”
section of the site).
• • when it was created or last updated. (Many sites are continuously updated – check for clues such as references
to events which happened in a particular year or look for a copyright date. If it is clear that a site is continuously updated
use the current year.)
• • which part to take as the title. (Home pages do not always require a title. For subordinate pages, choose the
most obvious heading on the page).
• • who is responsible for publishing it.
The important thing is to make it clear exactly which part of the site you are referring to and provide details of the bodies
responsible.
Viewed date
As documents on the web are subject to sudden change, it is essential to include the date on which you accessed the document,
especially if no date can be found on the document itself.
Web addresses (URL - Uniform Resource Locator)

Provide the full URL for the site.
If you are accessing information via a Library database, give the name of the database not the URL.
As URLs often change, e.g. when a site is restructured, you need to provide sufficient information such as title and author for the
reader to locate the document on the site.
Enclose the URL in angle brackets

e.g. <www.ibisworld.com.au>. followed by a full stop.
It is important to use the URL prefix to identify type of access involved e.g. http:// ftp:// gopher://
General rules for in-text referencing where the name(s) of the authors are given
For books, journals, websites, conference papers and newspapers, the general rule is to use the family name and the date.
Table 1
Referencing style – types of author In-text reference
One author
Family name Kumar (2007) argued that…
Year of publication ...(Kumar 2007).
Two or three authors

Family name Brown and Lee (2008) offer the opinion that…
Year of publication ....(Brown & Lee 2008).
Four or more authors

The name of the first author followed by ‘et al.’ Ng et al. (2004) stated that…
Year of publication …(Ng et al. 2004).
Note: Family names of all authors, and initials, to be
used in the reference list
For specific information regarding referencing, refer to pages 8-22 of this Guide or use the online referencing resource
<www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/bus/public/referencing/index.html>.
General rules for in-text referencing where the name(s) of the authors are not given
Table 2
Referencing style – no author In-text reference
Newspapers from a database or hard copy In-Text Reference

Name of paper – in italics As stated in the Financial Review (1 August 2007, p. 62,
Date viewed 27 August 2007, Factiva Database)…..
Page …. (Financial Review, 1 August 2007, p. 62, viewed 27
Date viewed August 2007, Factiva Database).
Database if applicable
Websites – corporations / institutions

An organisational publication with no individual author
e.g. a corporate website or report, treat the company as
the author
Telstra (2007) provided the latest….
Name of authoring body, corporation / institution
...,(Telstra 2007).
Year of publication
For specific information regarding referencing, refer to pages 8-22 of this Guide or use the online referencing resource
2.4 Books
The following table demonstrates how to correctly reference your work both in-text and in the reference list using books.
Table 3
Reference type Reference list In-text citation
Book – one author Shannon, J 2003, ‘A companion to
Family name and initial(s) business statistics’, Pearson, Frenchs
Year of publication Forest, NSW.
Title of book - italicised … (Shannon 2003).
Publisher OR
Place of publication Note the use of upper and lower case
Shannon (2003) argues
in the titles of all books
Note:
• • for direct quotes enclose the
exact words of the writer in
‘single’ inverted commas
• • Include the page number(s)
Shannon (2003, p. 45) defines…

...(Shannon 2003, p. 45).
Book – four or more authors

The name of the first author Kotler, P, Brown, L, Adam, S & … (Kotler et al. 2004).
followed by ‘et al.’ is used for the in- Armstrong, G 2004, Marketing, 6th OR
text reference. edn, Prentice Hall, Frenchs Forest,
NSW. Kotler et al. (2004) state ...
In the reference list write the names
of all the authors.
No clear author
Where there is no clear author, enter Style manual for authors, editors The Style manual for authors,
under the title of the book. and printers 2002, 6th edn, John editors and printers (2002)
Wiley & Sons, Australia. describes …
Edited book
Single editor Cortada, J (ed.) 1998, Rise of the …(ed. Cortada 1998).
knowledge worker, Butterworth-
Heinemann, Boston.
Cope, B & Mason, D (eds) 2001,

Multiple editors …(eds Cope & Mason 2001).
C-2-C: creator to consumer in a
digital age, Common Ground
Note: Publishing, Altona, Vic.
ed. - editor
eds - editors
Book chapter / article

Author(s) of chapter - family name(s) Ahmadjiian, CL 2006, ‘Japanese Ahmadjiian (2006) observes that...
and initial(s)Year of publication business groups: continuity in the ...(Ahmadjiian 2006).
‘Title’ of chapter - in singleinverted face of change, in S Chang (ed.)
commas[in] Editor of book (if
Business groups in East Asia, Oxford
different)Title of book – italicised
EditionPublisherPlace of publication university Press, UK, pp.29-52.
Page number(s) Note:
The Initial(s) of editor(s) comes
before their family name(s).
Include the page numbers for the
whole chapter.
E-book Author(s) family name(s),
Initial(s)
Year of publication
Title of book,
Edition
Publisher
Place of publication
viewed day month year
database name
When the e-book is in a library

database as a page image (pdf), cite it Zietlow, J, Hankin, JA & Seidner,
as if it were a hard copy book. AG 2007, Financial management for Zietlow, Hankin and Seidner (2007)
nonprofit organizations : policies and state...
To show where the e-book was located practices, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,
online, add the date of viewing and Hoboken, New Jersey.
either database name or URL.
or ….Zietlow, Hankin & Seidner
2007).
Zietlow, J, Hankin, JA & Seidner,
AG 2007, Financial management for
nonprofit organizations : policies and
practices, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,
If the book is only available on a Hoboken, N.J., viewed 7 November
Library database as HTML or plain 2007, Ebook Library database.
text, then you must cite the date of
viewing and either the database name Liu, C & Albitz, P 2006, DNS and
or URL. BIND, 5th edn, O’Reilly, Sebastopol,
CA, viewed 7 November 2007,
<http://proquest.safaribooksonline.co
m/0596100574>.
Alternatively an anonymous article

e.g. from an encyclopedia or dictionary No reference needed. The new Palgrave dictionary of
can be cited in the text with no entry in money & finance (1992) defines
the reference list. hedging as …
Several items with same author and

year
If you are referring to more than one
Hill, CWL 2004a, Global business Hill (2004a) suggests that...
work written by the same author in the
today, 3rd edn, McGraw Hill / Irwin, Hill (2004b) suggests that...
same year, the letters a,b,c etc are
Boston.
added to the date to indicate which one
you mean. Hill, CWL 2004b, Strategic ...(Hill 2004b).
management theory: an integrated
...(Hill 2004a).
approach, 6th edn, Houghton Mifflin,
In the reference list the works are listed
Boston.
alphabetically according to the title. If
the title starts with ‘A’, ‘An’, or ‘The’,
the alphabetical order is determined by
the second word in the title
Several items with same first author

and year
Kotler, P, Brown, L, Adam, S & Kotler et al. (2004) suggested that...
When an author publishes more than Armstrong, G 2004, Marketing, 6th
one work in the same year, but with edn, Prentice Hall, Frenchs Forest,
different co-authors, the name of the NSW. Kotler and Lee (2004) offer the
second author determines the order in opinion that...
which the works appear in the Kotler, P & Lee, N 2004, ‘Best of
reference list. breed’, Stanford Social Innovation … (Kotler et al. 2004).
Review , vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 14-23.
… (Kotler & Lee 2004).
Secondary citation (citation within a
citation)
A secondary citation is when you ‘Form ever follows function’
Horton, S 2006, Access by design: a
refer to the work of one author cited (Sullivan, cited in Horton 2006, p. 1).
guide to universal usability for web
by another author.
designers, New Riders, Berkeley,
Primary sources are preferred. California. In 1896 Louis H. Sullivan observed
If the original source is not available that ‘form ever follows function’
you must include the name of both (cited in Horton 2006, p. 1).
writers for in-text references.
Only the source you have read
appears in the reference list.
2.4.1 Printed material and multimedia
Table 4a
Journal articles
Author(s) family name(s), Lencioni, PM 2002, ‘Make Lencioni (2002) reported that...
initial(s) your values mean something’, ...(Lencioni 2002).
Year of publication, Harvard Business Review, July,
‘Title of article’, in single p. 113.
inverted commas
Journal name – in italics,
Sloman, SA, Over, D, Slovak,
month
L & Stibel, JM 2003,
volume: vol.
‘Frequency illusions and other
number: no.
fallacies’, Organizational
issue,
Behaviour and Human
page number(s): p. or pp. –
Decision Processes, vol. 91,
for the whole article
no. 2, pp. 296-309.
Note:
Weber, T 1999, ‘Gandhi, deep
Some journals or magazines
are designated by month and ecology, peace research and
year, rather than by volume Buddhist economics’, Journal
and issue. of Peace Research, vol. 36, no.
3, pp. 349-61.
Note:
For journal and newspaper
names only, all major words
are in upper case
Table 4a
Journal articles online

Author(s) of article - family Brewer, P & Sherriff, G Brewer and Sherriff (2007)
name(s) and initial(s) 2007, ‘Is there a cultural suggest…
Year of publication, divide in Australian
international trade?’,
‘Title of article’, in single Australian Journal of ...(Brewer & Sherriff 2007).
inverted commas Management, vol. 32, no. 1,
Journal name, in italics pp. 113-134.
volume: vol. or
number: no. . Brewer, P & Sherriff, G
issue , 2007, ‘Is there a cultural
divide in Australian
page number(s): p. or pp.
international trade?’,
viewed day month year,
Australian Journal of
database name or URL.
Management, vol. 32, no. 1,
pp. 113-134, viewed 11
Note:
November 2007, Ebsco
Often journal articles come database.
from a variety of different
sources. They are cited
differently, depending on their
format.
If a journal article appears in a

library database as a page
image (pdf), cite it the same
way as the original hard copy
format.
If the article was located

online, you must add date
viewed and either database
name or URL.
If the article is only available on Brewer, P & Sherriff, G 2007,

a Library database as HTML or ‘Is there a cultural divide in
plain text, then you must cite the Australian international
date viewed and either the trade?’, Australian Journal of
database name or URL. Management, vol. 32, no.1, p
113, viewed 11 November
2007, Factiva database.
Brewer, P & Sherriff, G 2007,

If the article has been located ‘Is there a cultural divide in
on the internet and not on a Australian international
database, you must cite the trade?’, Australian Journal of
date viewed and URL. Management, vol 32, no. 1,
viewed 11 November 2007,
<http://www.agsm.edu.au/~eaj
m/0706/06-
brewersherriff.html>.
Table 4a
Newspaper articles
Author(s) – family name(s) Kemp, S 2003 ‘Leak pushes Kemp (2003) reported that ...
and initial(s), AMP to record low’, The
Year of publication, Age, 7 August, p. 1 (Business
section). ...(Kemp 2003).
'Title of article’ - in single
inverted commas
Newspaper name – in italics,
day month,
page number(s): p. or pp.
Note: if the newspaper article

does NOT have an author then Not required. As stated in The Age (17
provide details in in-text August 2007, p. 12) …
citation only, NOT in the
reference list or bibliography ...(The Age 17 August 2007,
p. 12).
Newspaper articles online

Author(s) – family name(s) and
Khadem, N 2007, ‘Lid stays on Khadem (2007) reported that...
initial(s) wages growth’, The Age, 15
Year of publication November, p. 1 (Business ...(Khadem 2007).
‘Title of article’ - in single section), viewed 16 November
2007, <Factiva database>.
inverted commas
Newspaper name – in italics
day month
page number(s) p. or pp.
viewed day month year
<URL> or <name of database>.
See instructions as for journal
articles where citing PDF or
HTML formats of newspaper
articles
Published conference papers

Author(s) – family name(s)
and initial(s), Dong, Y 2001, ‘The Chinese Dong (2001) analysed ...
Year of publication, experience’, in P Drysdale,
'Title of paper’ - in single (ed.), The new economy in
East Asia and the Pacific: ...(Dong 2001).
inverted commas'
Proceedings of the 27th
in Editor (if applicable), Title Pacific Trade and
of published conference Development Conference,
proceedings, including place Australian National
held and date(s) – in italics, University, Canberra, 20- 22
Publisher, August, 2001, Routledge
place of publication, Curzon, London and New
page number(s). York. pp. 130-139.
Note: The initials of the editors
go in front of the family name(s)
Table 4a
Online conference papers

Author(s) – family/surname(s)
and initial(s) Jakubowicz, A. 2002, 'Race Jakubowicz (2002) argued
Year of publication vilification and communal that…
leadership', in W. Jonas (ed.),
'Title of paper’ - in single … (Jakubowicz 2002).
Beyond Tolerance:
inverted commas
National Conference on
Editor (if applicable) Racism, Sydney, 12-13
Title of published conference March 2002, Human Rights
proceedings, including place and Equal Opportunities
held and date(s) – in italics Commission, Sydney, viewed
17 June 2002,
Publisher <www.humanrights.gov.au/raci
Place of publication al_discrimination/beyond_toler
viewed day month year ance/speeches/jakubowicz.html
>.
database name or <URL>.
Note:
The initials of the editors go in
front of the family name(s)
Unpublished conference
papers or presentations
Author(s) Family name(s), Pannan, L, van der Craats, C & Pannam, van der Craats and
Initial(s)
McGovern, J 2002, 'Multi-level McGovern (2002) described ...
Year of publication
stepwise approach to engaging
‘Title of paper’ – use single
all academic staff in on-line ... (Pannam, van der Craats &
inverted commas
delivery', paper presented to McGovern 2002).
Paper presented to
2nd RMIT Teaching and
Title of conference/forum
Learning Forum, Melbourne,
Location of conference/forum
24 October 2002.
Date of conference/forum
Page(s)
Theses
Baxter, JS 2001, 'Rural land Baxter (2001) investigated…..
Author – family/surname and
initials Year of preparation of use and value in Northern
…(Baxter 2001).
thesis Victoria 1880-1960', PhD
thesis, RMIT University.
‘Title of thesis’ in single
inverted commas
Award,
Institution
Table 4a
Theses online
Author – family/surname and Khanh, VL 2006. ‘Customer Khanh (2006) explored...
initials Loyalty in Web-based
Year of preparation of thesis, Retailing’, PhD thesis, RMIT
University, 14 November ...(Khanh 2006).
‘Title of thesis’,
2007, <ADT database>.
Award, Institution,
<URL> or <name of database>.
Government publications
These include departmental
reports, reports of commissions
of inquiry, committees of review
and committees of parliament.
Author or organisation name Australia, Parliament 2003, (Australia, Parliament 2003).
Year of publication, Fraud control arrangements in
Title of report, the Australian Customs Service,
Parliamentary Paper 32,
catalogue. no.,
Canberra.
Publisher,
Place of publication,
Government publications can be

reported in a variety of ways.
See the Style manual for authors,
editors and printers 2002, pp.
220 – 223 for further examples.
Government publications
online
Author or organisation name Australian National Audit … (Australian National Audit
Year of publication,Title of Office 2003, Fraud control Office 2003).
report,cat. no., arrangements in the
Publisher,Place of publication, Australian Customs Service,
viewed day month year, viewed 4 August 2003,
<URL>. <www.anao.gov.au/
WebSite.nsf Publications/
2F8FE1D39613A8B8CA256
Many government publications CF300709A62>.
are available on the Internet. The
Note: Enclose the URL
way you access a document address with < >.
affects your citation.
Australian Bureau of Statistics
2004, Mental Health in
Australia: A Snapshot, cat. no. ...(Australian Bureau of
4824.0.55.001. ABS,
Statistics 2004).
Canberra, viewed 18 August
2005, <www.abs.gov.au>.
Table 4a
Company or Industry
Information
Company name Coles Myer Ltd 2005, ...(Coles Myer Ltd 2005).
Year of publication Corporate social
responsibility report 2005,
Title of report in italics Coles Myer, Tooronga, Vic.
Publisher,Place of publication
Company or industry
information online
Company name
IBISWorld 2005, Wine Although the domestic wine
Year of publication Manufacturing in Australia market is expected to be
Title of report in italics (C2183), IBISWorld Pty Ltd, stagnant from 2006-2010,
Publisher, wine exports will continue to
Place of publication, <www.ibisworld.com.au>. grow, although at a lower rate
viewed day month year, than previously (IBISWorld
2005).
<URL>.
Datamonitor 2005, Westfield
The Westfield Group has
Group (Australia): company
interests in 129 shopping
profile, Datamonitor, viewed
centres in Australia, New
23 January 2006, Business
Zealand, the UK and USA
Searching Interface (EBSCO)
(Datamonitor 2005).
database.
CD-ROM
Author(s)/editor(s) name(s), DeBolt, V. 2007, Mastering Debolt (2007) suggested
Initial(s) integrated HTML and CSS, that….
Year CD-ROM, Wiley Publishing,
Title (in italics) Indianapolis, USA. …(Debolt 2007).
Edition
CD-ROM
Publisher
Place of publication Best practice in sport and APEC has provided guidelines
recreation for tourism for developing sports facilities
No author or editor development within APEC in the region (Best practice in
economies 2001, CD-ROM, sport and recreation for
Note: the in-text reference tourism development within
APEC Secretariat, Singapore.
would be to the title of the CD in APEC economies 2001).
italics.
Table 4a
Videorecordings and television

programs
Title of program – italicised –(if Accounting for the Accounting techniques are
environment 1994, increasingly being applied to
part of an ongoing series, list
videorecording, Educational problems of pollution and land
the episode title first, then the use (Accounting for the
series name) Media Australia, South
environment 1994).
Melbourne.
year of recording
format Economy records strongest Lateline Business (2007)
publisher/distributor growth and shows no sign of
slowing, another rate rise On Lateline Business (2007) it
place of recording predicted: Lateline Business was stated that Australian
date of recording (if applicable) 2007, television program, ABC economic growth….
viewed day month year (if Television, Melbourne, 4
September, viewed 11 January
applicable)
2008, TVNews Database.
database name or <URL> (if
applicable) 7.30 Report 2005, television
program, ABC, 20 November. When interviewed on 7.30
Report (2005) the Treasurer
Note: the in-text reference Business Sunday 2005, said …
would be to the title of the television program, Nine
program, also in italics. Network, 20 November, Several businesses are
viewed 2 December 2005, sponsoring environmental
<http://businesssunday.ninems research on Heron Island
n.com.au/mediapopup.aspx? (Business Sunday 2005) …
mediaID=16806>.
Personal communications Not required. This was confirmed in an email

including email, SMS, from C. Costa on 5 November
conversations, interviews 2007.
Personal communications should
be cited in the text, but do not
need to appear in the list of
references
Further details of this may be Costa, C 2007, email, 5

given in the list of references if November 2007,
you wish the reader to be able to <cathy.costa@rmit.edu.au>.
follow up the reference. To
avoid breaching privacy you
should obtain permission of the
person before doing this.
Sender’s name, year, email, date
month, <sender's email
address>.
Table 4b
Home pages
These do not always have a title.
They should follow the format: Telstra 2005, Telstra, Many corporate web sites
Melbourne, viewed 2 provide information to a
Name of the organisation December 2005, variety of user groups (e.g.
date <http://telstra.com.index.jsp>. Telstra 2005, Vodaphone
2005).
Title (if any, written in italics)
name of organisation
responsible for publishing site The Australian Government’s
(often the same) place of business.gov.au 2005, business gateway
Department of Industry, (business.gov.au, 2005)
publication (usually the location
Tourism and Resources, provides information on
of the registered office) viewed Canberra, viewed 2 December starting or running a small
date 2005, business.
<URL>. <www.business.gov.au/Busines
s+Entry+Point>.
Note that there is no single

correct method of referencing
the above site. It is important to
be consistent. One of several
acceptable alternatives would
be:
Business Entry Point 2005,

business.gov.au, viewed 2
December 2005,
<www.business.gov.au/Busines
s+Entry+Point>.
OPTIONAL
Home page addresses can be The Australian Government’s
provided directly in the text business gateway (2005)
without appearing in the <www.business.gov.au>
reference list. provides information on
starting or running a small
However pages which are part business.
of a larger site should be
referenced as below
Table 4b
Document on a web site

Many government departments
Author(s) /editor(s)
do not manage their
Year of document, employees’ leave within the
Title of document – in italics terms of their Enterprise
Agreements (Australian
name of the sponsor of the National Audit Office 2005, p.
source date of viewing 10).
<URL>.
OR
Australian National Audit
If a document is available as a Office 2005, The management The Australian National Audit
PDF (page image) file, this is and processing of leave, Office reports that many
often easier to cite as it is closer viewed 2 December 2005, government departments do not
to a printed format. It also <www.anao.gov.au/WebSite.ns manage their employees’ leave
allows you to specify particular f/NewAuditReports/D8761E0 within the terms of their
page numbers D72DFCE Enterprise Agreements (2005,
60CA2570BB0037B103/$file/ p. 10).
Audit+Report+16.pdf>.
Telstra n.d., Audit governance

and financial reporting, Although the Telstra Act
Telstra, viewed 1 December makes the Auditor-General of
2005. Australia responsible for
<www.telstra.com.au/abouttelst auditing Telstra, certain
ra/corp/a_governance.cfm>. functions are carried out by an
agent (Telstra n.d.).
Company or industry
information on a website or
database
If this information is sourced Although the domestic wine
IBISWorld 2005, Wine
from a library database it is market is expected to be
Manufacturing in Australia stagnant from 2006-2010, wine
better to include the database
name rather than the URL (C2183), IBISWorld Pty Ltd, exports will continue to grow,
viewed 28 November 2005, although at a lower rate than
<www.ibisworld.com.au>. previously (IBISWorld 2005).
Datamonitor 2005, Westfield The Westfield Group has

Group (Australia): company interests in 129 shopping
profile, Datamonitor, viewed centres in Australia, New
23 January 2006, Business Zealand, the UK and USA
Searching Interface (EBSCO) (Datamonitor 2005).
database.
Wiki entry
As wikis are a collaborative
source, usually there is no
named author.
‘Title of article’ ‘The exponential power of In (Connectedintelligence

Year, connectedness’ 2007, 2007) …
Title, - in italics Connectedintelligence, wiki
format, article, viewed 11 November
viewed day month year, <URL>. 2007,
<http://connectedintelligence.w
ikispaces.com/
Exponential+Power+of+Co
nnectedness>.
Table 4b
Weblog site
Author(s) of weblog – Family Webber. S & Boon, S 2006, (Webber & Boon 2006).
name(s) and initial(s) Year, Information literacy weblog,
Weblog name, format, viewed weblog, viewed 10 January
day month year, <URL>. 2008, <http://information-
literacy.blogspot.com>.
Weblog post
Author(s) - family name(s)
and initial(s)
Year, Webber. S 2008, ‘Events Webber (2008) posted the
‘Title of post’, from CILIP’, Information following information...
Weblog name, in italics literacy weblog, weblog post,
format, 9 January, viewed 11 January
date of posting day month, 2008, <http://information-
viewed day month year, <URL>. literacy.blogspot.com>.
Intranet/course notes
Format:Author(s) family
name(s) and Initial(s)
Year of publication, Smith, H 2005, Metadata,
Title of work – in italics course notes from ISYS6655,
course notes from (Course RMIT University,
Code), Melbourne, viewed 8 July
Publisher, 2005, Online@RMIT.
Place of publication,
Online@RMIT.
2.4.2 Electronic journal articles
Table 4c
Journal articles online

If a journal article appears in a Brewer, P & Sherriff, G 2007, Brewer and Sherriff (2007)
library database as a page image ‘Is there a cultural divide in suggest…
(pdf), you may cite it the same Australian international
way as the original hard copy trade?’, Australian Journal of
format. Management, vol. 32, no. 1, …(Brewer and Sherriff 2007).
pp. 113-134.
OR
If you wish to show where the
article was located online, you Brewer, P & Sherriff, G 2007,
may add date of access and ‘Is there a cultural divide in
either database name or URL. Australian international
trade?’, Australian Journal of
pp. 113-134, viewed 11
November 2007, Ebsco
If the article is only available on database.
a Library database as HTML or
plain text, then you will need to
cite the date of access and either
the database name or URL.
‘Is there a cultural divide in
If the article has been located on Australian international
the internet and not on a trade?’, Australian Journal of
database, you will need to cite Management, vol. 32, no. 1, p
the date of access and URL. 113, viewed 11 November
2007, Factiva database.

‘Is there a cultural divide in
Australian international
trade?’, Australian Journal of
<www.agsm.edu.au/~eajm/070
6/06-brewersherriff.html>.
2.4.4 Legislation and legal cases

When referring to legislation including Acts, Ordinances and Regulations, the title must be reproduced exactly, without changing
the capitalisation or spelling. The words Act and Bill are generally written with a capital letter.
An Act or Ordinance may be cited by the short title, which is usually drafted into modern legislation. The first reference must
always include the short title in italics. Subsequent references may refer to it by an undated, descriptive title in Roman type
(normal or regular type).
Legislation or legal cases are only included in the reference list if they are important to the understanding of the work. In this case it
is best to set the list apart from the main body of the reference list and use the heading Legislation or Legal authorities.
Further guidance is provided in the Style manual for authors, editors and printers 2002, pp. 224-8.
Table 4d
Legislation
An Act or Ordinance may be Not generally required. The Trade Practices Act 1974
cited by the given short title. (Commonwealth) provides that
The first reference must always …
include the short title in italics.
Subsequent references may refer One of the shortcomings of the
to it by an undated, descriptive Trade Practices Act is …
title in roman i.e. normal or
regular type.
The jurisdiction must be made Not generally required. The Fair Trading Act 1999
clear, either by including it in (Vic) covers …
the body of the text or in OR
abbreviated form in brackets In Victoria this is covered by
after the act title. the Fair Trading Act 1999
Legal cases
To fully cite legal authorities list Not generally required. Commercial Bank of Australia
name of case in italics (date) or Ltd v. Amadio (1983) 151 CLR
447
volume number, or both;
This case appeared in 1983 in
abbreviated name of report
the Commonwealth Law
series; and beginning page. No Reports, volume 151, starting
commas are used. on page 447.
Legal referencing http://mulr.law.unimelb.edu.au/

files/aglcdl.pdf
If you have been instructed by
your lecturer to use footnotes in
your referencing, refer to the
link given.
2.4.5 Order of entries in a reference list
Note: The following provide examples of how to order your reference list. No full stops are used between an author’s initials, and
no comma is used after the last author's initials. The dots following the entries’ names indicate the details of the reference that
should follow.
Table 5
Reference list order rules Reference list
The reference list is arranged first alphabetically Jones, AB 2000, ... Origin Energy 2005, …
by author, and if the authors are the same then by Smith, AK 1990, ...
date. Smith, AK 1999, …
Smith, AK 2004, …
Stein, B 2003, …(single author entry)

A reference with multiple authors follows single Stein, B, Lee, HK, Yin, CX & Singh, GS 2000,
author entries beginning with the same author … (plural and alphabetical author entry, that is,
name. Lee comes before Reynolds in the English
alphabet.)
Stein, B & Reynolds, JS 1995, … Stein, B &
Reynolds, JS 2000, … (This reference is sorted
by its date, it has the same authors as the
reference before it but was written at a later
date)…
Style manual for authors, editors and printers

Where an item has no author it is listed by its
2002, ...
title.
Where several works have the same author and Young, JC 1988a, Economic indicators …
year of publication, add the letters a, b, ... etc Young, JC 1988b, A quick guide …
according to the alphabetical order of the titles in (Economic comes before quick in the English
the reference list, ignoring the initial articles A, alphabet)
An or The. Young, JC & Smith, AK 1988, …
2.5 Other referencing systems
Although you are normally required to use the style described above, you will come across many other methods of referencing.
These include other versions of the Author-date or Harvard system as well as Note systems. Further details of some of these styles
are available via the Library website at www.rmit.edu.au/library/reference/manuals or in style manuals in the Library.
Table 6
Referencing system Examples
Other author-date styles
There are many other versions of the Author-date or APA style, as described in the Publication manual of
Harvard style apart from that described above. The main the American Psychological Association 2001, 5th
similarity is that they use in-text citations and a edn, APA, Washington, DC. This style is widely used
reference list. However they may differ in their use of internationally in the social sciences.
punctuation, brackets, italics, underlined or bold
formatting, method of designating volume, issue and
pages numbers, etc.
Many academic journals have their own author-date
style.
Only use a different author-date style if your lecturer
specifically requests it, and make sure you follow the
required style closely.
Reword to include exceptions eg Law. Many style manuals e.g. Chicago, MLA and Turabian
include an author-date style.
Note systems
While it is not RMIT Business style, you may at some Australian Legal Citation Style, as described in
stage be asked to use the Note system of referencing, Australian guide to legal citation 2002, 2nd edn,
either footnotes or endnotes. This system is commonly Melbourne University Law Review Association and at
used in law, as well as sciences and humanities. http://mulr.law.unimelb.edu.au/files/aglcdl.pdf
Examples of styles using a Note system are shown
opposite. Documentary note style as described in Style manual
Only use a Note style if your lecturer specifically for authors, editors and printers, 2002, 6th edn, John
requests it, and make sure you follow the required style Wiley & Sons, Australia, pp. 208-15.
closely.
Vancouver style as described in Style manual for

authors, editors and printers, 2002, 6th edn, John
Wiley & Sons, Australia, pp. 215-8 or other sources.
2.6 Commonly used abbreviations in referencing
The abbreviations listed below may appear in other bibliographies, lists of references, footnotes and endnotes:
Table 7
Abbreviation
art. article
app. appendix
c. (Latin circa) e.g. c. 1835 approximately, about
cf. compare
ch., chs chapter(s)
col., cols column(s)
edn (note: no full stop) edition
ed., eds editor(s)
e.g. for example
et al. and others
f., ff. and the following pages
fig., figs figure(s)
id. the same
i.e. that is
n.d. no date
no., nos number(s)
p., pp. page(s)
para., paras paragraph(s)
rev. revised
2nd (note: no full stop – see ch.8.2 on numbering) second (edition)
sec., s., ss.
vol., vols section (s. for section, ss. for subsection of legislation)
volume(s)
2.7 Using EndNote with RMIT Business style

EndNote is a software program that helps you keep track of the details of books, articles, websites or other information sources
which you may need to refer to in your assignments or thesis. It is particularly recommended for use by staff and postgraduate
students.
EndNote allows you to
• • create, store and manage references to books, journal articles, web sites, conference papers, multimedia and
other sources of information
• • insert selected references directly into a word processed document and automatically create and format
bibliographies in a chosen style
• • search and retrieve records from remote catalogues and databases
RMIT has a site licence for EndNote, which allows you to use it at RMIT and on your own computer. Further details are available
on the Library's EndNote tutorial at www.rmit.edu.au/library/endnote. This site also has an output style available for download,
labelled "Harvard ed6" which follows Style manual (2002) as used at RMIT Business.
3. Plagiarism
3.1 RMIT University definition of plagiarism
RMIT has an assessment charter, which elaborates key responsibilities common to all staff and students in relation to assessment
and defines the University’s policy on plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined (RMIT University 2003a) as stealing somebody’s
intellectual property (IP) by presenting their work, thoughts or ideas as though they are your own. It is cheating. It is a serious
academic offence and can lead to expulsion from RMIT.
Plagiarism can take many forms - written, graphic and visual forms, and includes use of electronic data and material used in oral
presentations. Plagiarism may even occur unintentionally, such as when the origin of the material used is not properly cited.
3.1.1 What constitutes plagiarism?

Under the charter, you may be accused of plagiarism if you do any of the following:
• Copy sentences or paragraphs word-for-word from any source, whether published or unpublished (including, but not
limited to books, journals, reports, theses, websites, conference papers, course notes, etc.) without proper citation.
• Closely paraphrase sentences, paragraphs, ideas or themes without proper citation.
• Piece together text from one or more sources and add only linking sentences without proper citation.
• Copy or submit whole or parts of computer files without acknowledging their source.
• Copy designs or works of art and submit them as your original work.
• Copy a whole or any part of another student’s work.
• Submit work as your own that someone else has done for you.
Enabling Plagiarism is ‘the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work’ (RMIT 2003a). It is
also a serious academic offence. More detail on what constitutes plagiarism is found in the January 2003 Policy on Plagiarism
3.1.2 What is the penalty for plagiarism?

Plagiarism is not permitted in RMIT University. Any use of another person’s work or ideas must be acknowledged. If you fail to do
this, you may be charged with academic misconduct and face a penalty under RMIT Regulations 6.1.1 – Student Discipline. This
may be viewed at http://mams.rmit.edu.au/7w2uew7i6v2.pdf
Penalties for plagiarism (RMIT University 2003b) include:
• recording of a failure for the assignment or course.

• cancellation of any or all results.
• suspension from the program.
• expulsion from the program.
•
3.2 Examples of plagiarism
RMIT University’s Learning Skills Unit has developed a range of examples to help you identify the most common forms of
plagiarism, such as:
Table 8
Direct use of another person's work without citation
If the sentence opposite appeared in an assessment : Work motivation and performance increase when
It is plagiarism because the words have been copied employees feel personally accountable for the outcomes
directly from a book of their efforts.
A properly referenced paper would use the sentence this McShane and Travaglione (2003 p.199) state that ‘work
way: motivation and performance increase when employees
feel personally accountable for the outcomes of their
efforts’.
Table 9
Paraphrasing sentences, paragraphs and ideas
without citation
These are your words but not your idea/information. When employees feel responsible for their work, they
tend to be more motivated which results in higher
performances.
You MUST show where the idea came from. Hence… When employees feel responsible for their work, they
Note: no page number needed as not a direct quote. tend to be more motivated which results in higher
performances (McShane & Travaglione 2003).
Table 10
Piecing together texts from one or more sources and
linking them
The following in a paper is plagiarism: Employees must be given control of their work
environment to feel responsible for their successes and
failures. This is called employee involvement, designed
to encourage increased commitment to the organisation’s
success.
A correct way of referencing the paragraph is: ‘Employees must be assigned control of their work
environment to feel responsible for their successes and
failures’ (McShane & Travaglione 2003, p. 199).
Robbins, et al. (2001 p. 237) call this ‘employee
involvement …designed to encourage increased
commitment to the organisation’s success’.
Table 11
Integrating ideas from multiple sources
A good model of how to integrate ideas from multiple Eunson (1987, p. 67) defines motivation as ‘what is
sources. important to you’, and explores the importance of
Read through the example. Note: ‘money as a motivator’. However, recent studies
outlined by Leonard, Beauvais and Scholl (1999)
• • Usually the first sentence is a statement of
suggest that personality and disposition play an equally
proposition introducing the ideas that you want to put
important role in motivation.
forward in the paragraph.
Conversely Robbins et al. (1994, p. 241) put forward
• • Then support the proposition by at least one or
the idea that ‘motivation is a set of processes that
more authorities. stimulate, direct and maintain human behaviour towards
• • Include a statement of opinions contrary to the attaining a goal’
proposition (demonstrates that you have considered In other words ‘motivation’ is a complex concept,
all sides to the argument). which encompasses a variety of competing theories.
• • Summarise your argument or proposition in There are many reasons why people behave differently
your own words. in the workplace, but it is because these differences exist
that managements pay attention to the theories, which
provide them with frameworks for problem solving.
3.3 How to avoid plagiarism

Use this checklist to ensure you avoid accusations of plagiarism:
Table 12
How to avoid accusations of plagiarism
DO NOT directly copy phrases and / or passages

(transcribe) without a reference and / or quotation
marks
DO NOT paraphrase other writers’ work in your

written work without citing references.
DO NOT make a direct reference to an author or

authors you have not read, even if you may have read
about them.
(While the use of secondary sources is not
encouraged, if the primary publication is out of print
or difficult to obtain, you should cite the secondary
source you have actually read rather than the original
that you have not read.)
DO NOT copy another person’s work, in part or in

whole, or allow someone else to copy part or all of
work you have completed.
DO NOT write your work in conjunction with other

students without prior permission. (Except in group
assignments where wider consultation is expected,
you should only meet with other students initially to
discuss the essay topic and/or analyse the question.)
DO NOT submit written work already submitted for

assessment in any other course.
Examples based on information available on RMIT Library referencing section.

Further information is available online from the Study and Learning Centre.
4. Essay writing
What is an essay?
An essay is:
• • a continuous piece of writing that sets out to discuss or argue a point of view or opinion.
• • information presented formally often with the intention of defending or promoting a particular point of view.
• •
Why are you required to write essays?
• • to demonstrate knowledge and expertise in a subject area.

• • to apply theories and models to given topics/ questions/ issues - to support the proposition you are putting
forward.
• • to demonstrate your ability to synthesise various sources of information in a coherent and concise piece of
writing enabling the reader to easily follow the flow of ideas.
• • to develop your ability to argue, persuade, explain, inform and/or discuss.
• • to convince the reader by the logic of the argument presented.
A Step By Step Guide to Essay Writing

Step 1 Choose your topic
If you have a choice of topics – select the one that interests you the most or that has relevance to your chosen career.
If you are allowed to create your own essay topic, choose a subject that you want to learn more about and which interests you.
Step 2 Read the instructions, relating to your assessments as set down in your Course Guide
Always check your Course Guide to ensure that you are clear about what you are required to do:
• • When is the essay due?

• • How long is it?
• • What is the format?
• • How does this topic relate to the course?
• • How does this topic relate to the current area being studied?
Step 3 Analyse the topic

Break the topic into its component parts to understand what the main elements of the task are. Essay topics can usually be divided
into three sections:
• • Content What is the topic about?

• • Instruction What have you been asked to do in relation to the topic?
• • Scope How has the topic been limited – is there a focus on particular
organisations/ countries, /year(s)?
Underline key words and draw circles around the action/instruction words. Below is an example of an essay question.
Compare and contrast the financial reports and ratios of two Australian companies
It is important that you fully understand what the instruction words are telling you to do.
Table 13 provides a list of words and definitions that are often used in your assessment tasks.
Table 13
Action/instruction words used in assessment tasks Definitions
Analyse Separate or break the subject matter into its parts to

discover their nature, proportion, function and
relationships.
Argue Systematically support or reject a position by presenting

reasons and evidence for acceptance or rejection, while
indicating your awareness of opposing points of view.
Comment Make critical observations about the subject matter; be

careful not to cast too wide a net here, or to write in too
many generalisations.
Compare Find similarities and differences between two or more

ideas, events, interpretations etc. Ensure you understand
exactly what you are being asked to compare.
Contrast The remarks on ‘compare’ also apply to ‘contrast’.

Usually the difference is that you should concentrate on
dissimilarities.
Define Provide clear, concise, authoritative meanings, in which

you address the nature or essential qualities. Details are
not necessarily required, but you may wish to cite the
boundaries or limitations of the definition, since
meanings can extend beyond simple definitions.
Describe Recall facts, processes or events. You are not asked to

explain or interpret. Try to provide a thorough
description, emphasising the most important points.
Discuss Present a point of view, that of others and/or your own.

This is likely to entail both description and
interpretation. Your opinion should be supported by
arguments and evidence.
Evaluate Here you are asked to appraise in order to make a

judgment, which means considering both strengths and
weaknesses.
Illustrate Clarify, exemplify or elucidate by presenting a figure,

picture, diagram or concrete example.
Outline Give an organised description or an ordering of

information in which you state the main point, but omit
details. Present the information in a systematic
arrangement or classification.
Review Re-examine, analyse and comment briefly (in an

organised sequence) on the major points of an issue.
Summarise Provide a brief statement or an account covering the

main points in sequence or by assimilating parts into a
general comment: omit details.
Step 4 Brainstorm - What do you already know about the topic?
• • Using your reading, lectures and your own experiences think about what you already know about the topic.
• • On a blank piece of paper, write down all the ideas that you think might be related to the topic.
• • A brainstorm is the beginning of a mind map – these random ideas can be organised into a structured mind map
that will provide you with a guide for your research and your writing.
Step 5 Starting your research

Although you are required to read and research widely, it is better to gain an overview of the topic by firstly reading the
recommended texts – don’t go straight online unless instructed to do so by your lecturer / tutor.
The texts will give you a broad understanding of the main ideas, writers and theories associated with the topic.
By familiarising yourself with the key concepts, the next stage of your research will be more targeted.
Step 6 Mind mapping
A mind map is a visual way of gathering your ideas about a particular topic.
Mind maps help you to identify the main ideas and what research needs to be conducted to provide the evidence that supports these
ideas.
Your mind map is a good time management resource. It will help you to focus your search for information more efficiently and to
organise your ideas into a coherent argument when you write your essay.
Table 14
Mind mapping for essays
Topic question On a blank piece of paper, write down the topic.
Key ideas Use the brain storming notes and information gained
from general reading to jot down the key ideas. This is
the first step in developing a mind map.
Research As you continue to do research, start to put the

information into groups so that you can see the
connections between ideas/theories. This will help you
to sort out which are the key ideas and what is the
supporting information.
Delete any unnecessary ideas Once you have completed this task, you can delete any
unnecessary ideas that you have now identified as
irrelevant.
Single page Keep your mind map to a single page.
For more information on mind mapping go to the Learning Lab - Study Skills <www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu>.
Step 7 Focus your research

As Business students you need to be familiar with current trends and thinking. Websites, newspapers and journals will be important
resources for your research.
When you are using the online resources use the search engines provided by the university such as Factiva, Proquest, Blackwell
Synergy, IBIS world, Informit. These will provide you with sources that can be relied on for accuracy and integrity.
At this stage you must read with a purpose and only make notes when you are sure that the text has the information you need to use
in your assessment task.
Always make sure you have recorded the full reference list entry details – you will need this information later.
For more information on recording your research go to the interactive online referencing resource for Business students
<http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/bus/public/referencing>.
Refer to your course guide for recommended reading lists. If there are no recommended texts, you will need to use resources
available through the Library data bases <http://www.rmit.edu.au/library>.
Hints and Tips on Efficient Reading Strategies

• • Once you have identified the key words and concepts relating to the topic, use these reading strategies to make
your research more efficient and to maximise the use of your time.
• • Skim and scan. Use key words and concepts to quickly locate information
• • Use chapter headings, abstracts, introductions, conclusions to find the main ideas the writer is exploring – if
they are relevant – continue
• • Make notes when key information has been identified
Contact the Library Liaison Officer for your course if you need assistance.
For additional help with reading more efficiently visit the Learning Lab <www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu>.
Hints and Tips on Critical Reading

One of your tasks when researching is to determine the validity, accuracy and credibility of your sources. This requires
you to consider carefully what you are reading. It is always important to critically examine the statements being made and
the evidence being used.
For your assessment tasks you will often be using the websites of companies and organisations. The information they
provide will be positive and promotional so it is important to question the objectivity and reliability of the data.
Do this by considering the following questions:-
• • Who is the writer?

• • When was the article written?
• • What evidence has the writer provided to support their argument?
• • How convincing is it? Why? - What are the grounds for saying so?
• • How logical is it? - Again, what are the grounds for saying so?
• • What assumptions / overgeneralizations does the writer make?
• • What are the implications of this work?
• • What has the writer failed to consider? Where are the gaps?
• • Is there evidence of bias?
• • Do you agree or disagree with this writer’s standpoint?
• • With which parts of the argument do you agree/disagree, and for what reasons?
• • Is the methodology / the analysis appropriate?
• • Are there any weaknesses or errors in the writing or calculations?
What are primary information sources?
Students are required to use primary sources whenever possible. This means that you read and reference the original works of the
authors. Information you have gathered from first hand experience – eg. an interview or survey – is also a primary source.
What are secondary information sources?

When you use the ideas /words of one author that have appeared in another writer’s text you are using a secondary source.
Below are two examples of how to use a secondary source in a sentence:
(1) Bartlett and Ghoshal (cited in Daft 2004) suggest that companies expanding into global markets are forced to do so
because of economic, technological and competitive factors, which relate to economies of scale, economies of scope and
cheaper production factors.
(2) Companies expanding into global markets are forced to do so because of economic, technological and competitive
factors, which relate to economies of scale, economies of scope and cheaper production factors (Bartlett & Ghoshal, cited
in Daft 2004).
Note: Wherever possible, use primary sources
Step 8 Draw up a detailed plan

Before writing the first draft of your essay use your mind map and your summarised notes to draw up a detailed essay plan
identifying the main ideas and the evidence that supports those ideas.
A detailed plan can help you to have confidence when you start to write. You know what you want to write, why you are including
it and the logical order in which to present it.
Step 9 Writing the Essay
Essay Structure
An essay is a structured form of writing. Your purpose in writing an essay is to demonstrate to the reader that you understand the
topic and can use research to support your argument.
An essay has 3 parts-:
• • the introduction
• • the main section where the argument is developed, and
• • the conclusion
See Diagram 1 below for a detailed outline on what each part should contain.
Paraphrasing, Synthesising and Direct Quotations
When you write your essay, you will need to use techniques such as paraphrasing and synthesising.
Paraphrasing is expressing in your own words the ideas of another writer.
Synthesising is the ability to express in your own words the similarities or differences in the ideas of a number of
authors.
You must always acknowledge the sources for your ideas even when you use your own words. For more information
on how to paraphrase and synthesise go to <www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu>.
For more information on how to reference when paraphrasing go to

<www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/bus/public/referencing>.
Direct quotations are when you use the exact words of the author/source.
You may use direct quotation in your assessment tasks, but these should be kept to a minimum.
Whenever quoting from any source you must correctly reference the work. For further information on how to
reference direct quotes, go to <www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/bus/public/referencing>.
For more information on direct quotes, go to <www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu>.
Note: Do NOT just cut and paste information from sources! To just use the words of an author does not demonstrate your
understanding or ability to create a logical argument. The quality of your work will be better if you paraphrase and synthesis your
research, as this will show that you are able to interpret and critically analyse what you have read in relation to the topic.
Step 10 Writing the first draft

Using the detailed plan you have now developed, set aside a block of time to write the first draft of your essay. Aim to write the
whole essay in the time you have set aside as this will give your work a clear flow. Do not be concerned at this stage with correct
grammar, spelling, referencing as this will be done at the editing stage.
Once you have written this first draft it will be much easier to see where evidence is lacking, and where information could be more
logically re-organised.
As you will probably need to write several drafts before the essay is ready for submission, make sure you have allowed sufficient
time to do this.
Consider the items below to ensure your essay is a well written and well constructed piece of writing.
Table 15
Checklist for essays
Each paragraph contains one central idea
The above idea is supported by sufficient evidence from

your research
The last sentence in each paragraph links to the main idea

of the next paragraph
The writing:
• • has a logical structure and the overall
argument is easy to follow
• • presents a reasoned and supported
argument
• • uses only relevant information which
is accurate – precise / specific
• • uses impersonal language – do not use
personal pronouns such a ‘I’ or ‘we’ unless you
are given permission to do so
• • is objective and unbiased
• • uses formal English – do not use
abbreviations or colloquialisms or SMS
language
Step 11 Editing your final draft

You need to edit your draft before submitting the final version.
Read your Course Guide carefully to ensure that you have met the requirements of the assignment.
Observe the word limit or you may be penalised. Word limits as the words imply set the limit on the number of words that can be
used. The topic has been designed so that the issues and complexities can be explored within this word limit.
Using ‘Tools’ on the menu bar in Microsoft Word, check your spelling and grammar and make the necessary changes
Remember: Good academic writing is clear, straightforward and grammatically correct. Sentences do not have to be overlong or
use very complex vocabulary.
Referencing
All essays must be referenced according to the guidelines set out
or
<http://prodmams.rmit.edu.au/s9sx559hurvc.rtf.>.
or
5. Report Writing
What is a business report?
A report is a document that:
• • records an investigation into a specific problem(s)/ subject.

• • analyses researched information.
• • contains factual / statistical information.
• • makes recommendations about how to resolve the problems that have been addressed.
• • and/or the type of action that should be taken.
• • sets out information in a formal and structured manner using numbered headings and sub-headings to make it
easier to read and access the information.
A business report is written in a simple, ordered and precise manner to ensure that the information provided is easy to read and to
access.
What is the purpose of a business report?

Reports are usually written for specific readers to communicate information which has been compiled as a result of research and
analysis of data.
Why are you required to write reports?

• • To develop the ability to thoroughly research a problem or an issue
• • To analyse the results
• • To record and draw conclusion from the analysis
• • To communicate that information clearly and concisely
Employers value people who have developed these skills in written communication.
In organisations and businesses, reports are often used as the basis on which major decisions are made.
What are the different types of reports?

There are many different types of reports. They vary according to the reason/s for the report and for the purpose it will serve for
the intended reader.
In the College of Business, you are required to develop the skills of report writing using investigative methods and research from a
variety of sources
Note: Always check your Course Guide for the required report format to ensure that you are meeting the specific
assessment criteria.
A step by step guide to report writing
Step 1 Choose your topic
If you are given a list of topics from which to choose, select the one that interests you the most or that may have relevance to your
chosen career.
If you are allowed to create your own report topic choose a subject that you want to learn more about and that interests you or is a
current problem in your workplace that you wish to address.
Step 2 Read the instructions relating to your assessments as set down in your Course Guide
Always check your course guide to ensure that you are clear about what you are required to do.
• • When is the report due?

• • How long is it?
• • What is the format?
• • What is the structure?
• • How does this topic relate to the course?
• • How does this topic relate to the current area being studied?
Step 3 Analyse the topic

Break the topic into its component parts to understand what the main issue is that must be addressed.
Report topics can usually be divided into three sections:
• • Content What is the issue or problem to be addressed?

• • Instruction What have you been asked to do in relation to the topic?
• • Scope How has the topic been limited – is there a focus on particular
organisations/ countries /year(s)?
Underline key words and draw circles around the action/instruction words.
It is really important that you understand what the instruction words are telling you to do.
Step 4 Brain storm – what do you already know about the issue?
A brainstorm is the beginning of a mind map – these random ideas can be organised into a structured mind map that will provide
you with a guide for your research and your writing.
• • Using your reading, lectures and your own experiences think about what you already know about the
problem/issue.
• • On a blank piece of paper, write down all the ideas that you think might be related to the subject under review
• • Write down where you think you need to go to get information other than from books, journals websites etc.
Think about who you know in business who you might be able to interview.
Step 5 Starting your research

Although you are required to read and research widely, it is better to gain an overview of the topic by firstly reading the
recommended texts – don’t go straight online unless instructed to do so by your lecturer or tutor.
The texts will give you a broad understanding of .the main ideas, writers and theories associated with the issue.
By familiarising yourself with the key concepts, the next stage of your investigation will be more targeted.
Step 6 Mind mapping

A mind map is a visual way of gathering your ideas about a particular topic.
Mind maps help you to identify the main ideas and what research needs to be conducted to provide the evidence that supports these
ideas.
Your mind map is a good time management resource. It will help you focus your search for information more efficiently and to
organise your ideas into a coherent and logical structure when you write your report.
Table 16
Mind mapping for reports
Topic question On a blank piece of paper, write down the topic.
Key ideas Use the brain storming notes and information gained
from general reading to jot down the key ideas. This is
the first step in developing a mind map.
Research As you continue to do research, start to put the

information into groups so that you can see the
connections between ideas/theories. This will help you
to sort out which are the key ideas and what is the
supporting information.
Delete any unnecessary ideas Once you have completed this task, you can delete any
unnecessary ideas that you have now identified as
irrelevant.
Single page Keep your mind map to a single page.
For more information on mind mapping go to the Learning Lab - Study Skills <www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu>.
Step 7 Focus your research

As Business students you need to be familiar with current trends and thinking. Websites, newspapers and journals will be important
resources for your research.
When you are using the online resources use the search engines provided by the university such as Factiva, Proquest, Blackwell
Synergy, IBIS world, Informit. These will provide you with sources that can be relied on for accuracy and integrity.
At this stage you must read with a purpose and only make notes when you are sure that the text has the information you need to use
in your assessment task.
Always make sure you have recorded the full reference list entry details – you will need this information later.
For more information on recording your research go to the interactive online referencing resource for Business students
Refer to your course guide for recommended reading lists. If there are no recommended texts, you will need to use resources
available through the Library data bases <www.rmit.edu.au/library>.
Hints and Tips on Efficient Reading Strategies

• • Once you have identified the key words and concepts relating to the topic, use these reading strategies to make
your research more efficient and to maximise the use of your time.
• • Skim and scan. Use key words and concepts to quickly locate information
• • Use chapter headings, abstracts, introductions, conclusions to find the main ideas the writer is exploring – if
they are relevant – continue
• • Make notes when key information has been identified
Contact the Library Liaison Officer for your course if you need assistance. For additional help with reading more efficiently visit
the Learning Lab <www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu>.
Hints and Tips on Critical Reading
One of your tasks when researching is to determine the validity, accuracy and credibility of your sources. This requires
you to consider carefully what you are reading. It is always important to critically examine the statements being made and
the evidence being used.
For your assessment tasks you will often be using the websites of companies and organisations. The information they
provide will be positive and promotional so it is important to question the objectivity and reliability of the data.
Do this by considering the following questions:-
• • Who is the writer?

• • When was the article written?
• • What evidence has the writer provided to support their argument?
• • How convincing is it? Why? - What are the grounds for saying so?
• • How logical is it? - Again, what are the grounds for saying so?
• • What assumptions / overgeneralizations does the writer make?
• • What are the implications of this work?
• • What has the writer failed to consider? Where are the gaps?
• • Is there evidence of bias?
• • Do you agree or disagree with this writer’s standpoint?
• • With which parts of the argument do you agree/disagree, and for what reasons?
• • Is the methodology / the analysis appropriate?
• • Are there any weaknesses or errors in the writing or calculations?
What are primary information sources?

Students are required to use primary sources whenever possible. This means that you read and reference the original works of the
authors. Information you have gathered from first hand experience – eg. an interview or survey – is also a primary source.
What are secondary information sources?

When you use the ideas /words of one author that have appeared in another writer’s text you are using a secondary source.
Below are two examples of how to use a secondary source in a sentence:
1. (1) Bartlett and Ghoshal (cited in Daft 2004) suggest that companies expanding into global markets are forced to
do so because of economic, technological and competitive factors, which relate to economies of scale, economies of scope
and cheaper production factors.
2. (2) Companies expanding into global markets are forced to do so because of economic, technological and
competitive factors, which relate to economies of scale, economies of scope and cheaper production factors (Bartlett &
Ghoshal, cited in Daft 2004).
Step 8 Draw up a detailed plan

Collecting the data for a report takes place over an extended period of time. Before you start writing, you need to use your mind
map, your notes from various sources, texts, websites, surveys, interviews and more to draw up a report plan identifying the main
ideas and the evidence that supports those ideas.
A plan is like a road map which allows you to have a clear understanding of the direction your report is going to take. A detailed
plan can help you to have confidence when you start to write. You know what you want to write, why you are including it and the
logical order in which to present it.
Step 9 Writing the report
Report Structure
It is important to follow your course guidelines or company /organisation instructions for your industry projects as guidelines for
how to present your report are generally given to you. However, if you have not been given instructions about the format of your
report, below is listed the structure of a business report.
Reports are generally divided into the following sections:-
• • Cover sheet (use the RMIT cover sheet as per your course guide)
• • Title page
• • Acknowledgements (if necessary)
• • Table of contents
• • Executive Summary
• • Introduction
• • Main section(s) of the report
• • Conclusion
• • Recommendations
• • Appendices
• • Glossary
• • Reference List
Table 17 covers each part in detail.
Table 17
Sections of a report Explanation
Cover sheet Every assignment must have the cover sheet stapled to
Download from the Course Guide the front of your assignment.
See <http://mams.rmit.edu.au/7ksj9bbov094.doc>.
Title page The title of the report copied from the Course Guide.
If you have created your own project then the title needs
to be a clear explanation of what the report is about
The title page also includes:-

• • Student name and number
• • Lecturer’s name or the manager who
requested the report
• • Date the report was submitted
• • Name and number of the course
Table of Contents The Table of Contents provides the reader with an easy
guide to where information is located in the report.
Any report that is longer than a few pages needs a Table

of Contents.
The Table of Contents lists

• • sections, sub-sections of the report
and the corresponding page numbers.
• • diagrams and appendices.
.
The Table of Contents should be written when the final
draft has been completed to ensure that the page
numbers and headings match.
All numbering must be consistent and accurate.
For instructions on how to generate an automated Table

of Contents in Microsoft Word go to
<http://office.microsoft.com/en-
au/word/HP051892931033.aspx>. This enables you to
match headings and page numbers into your Table of
Contents.
Abstract/ Executive Summary In companies and organisations, the Executive Summary

is critically important as managers tend to read this
section first to gain an overview of the whole report.
The Executive Summary

• • provides a short and comprehensive
summary of the whole report.
• • gives the bare facts of the report
including the findings and conclusions.
• • provides enough detail for the
reader to have a clear understanding of the
main facts and critical findings.
• • is typically very short.
• • is written in the past tense as it is a
record of what has been done.
Although the Executive Summary appears at the

beginning of the report, this section should be written
after the report has been finalised and you have had time
to reflect on the report as a whole.
Introduction The Introduction provides a brief, accurate background

for the main section of the report.
Introductions typically include

• • the purpose of the report/
background
• • the scope, methods used – issues
covered/not covered
• • the limitations of the report and
outlines terms of reference/definitions
Questions to be considered-
What is the situation that has made an investigation
into the issue or problem necessary?
How will the research be carried out?
What are the aims/ objectives? What are you setting
out to do? (These objectives will be addressed
throughout the report and provide the framework for
the research and the conclusions).
Scope-
Often an issue will be extremely broad and you will need
to narrow the focus to the specific areas to be
investigated.
There will be other factors that limit the scope of the

report. State what they are e.g. time, budget,
geographical location, client availability, a particular
company …
Terminology -
If there are terms or words that are critical to an
understanding of the report but may be unfamiliar to the
reader, introduce them and define what they mean as
used within the report.
Main section(s) of the report There is no particular formula for this section of the
may include: report. What you are required to do is to thoroughly
investigate, examine and analyse the factors that impact
• • a literature review (optional depending on
the current situation.
assessment instructions)
• • Methodology
There is often a Literature Review as a component of
• • Findings your report.
• • Analysis
The research methodology(ies) and the reasons why
you have chosen them need to be explained.
A variety of methods can be used depending on the

problem being investigated.
Examples of methodologies include questionnaires,

focus groups, interviews, experiments, literature
searches.
The findings / results from the research are documented

and analysed.
Your research needs to be presented in a logical

sequence using numbered headings that clearly show the
reader what information is contained in each paragraph.
Note: Refer to your Course Guide to ensure that your

report meets the assessment criteria.
Conclusion The conclusion summarises the main points investigated

and comments on the significance of the findings.
The conclusion/s are based on the results of the research

you have conducted and not on your personal opinion.
All the conclusions must be supported by the material /
facts you have presented in the report.
Remember the conclusion/s should always relate back to
the stated objectives of the report.
Do not introduce new ideas /theories/ issues in the

conclusion.
Recommendations The recommendations are based on the conclusions and

provide possible solutions or courses of action to resolve
the problems examined in the report. when and how
action should be taken
Having completed the report, recommendations may

include any of the following
• • what action should be taken and who
should be involved in its implementation
• • what could have been done
differently to achieve better more
comprehensive outcomes
• • what possible costs or risks are
involved in carrying out your
recommendations
• • what makes this the best solution
• • what further research might be
conducted for continuous improvement
Appendix / Appendices Information that is not essential to the general

understanding of the report but may be important in
supplying further information for the reader is placed in
an Appendix:
• • a copy of the questionnaire you have

used when interviewing
• • a financial statement / annual reports
• • technical data
The information in the Appendix must be discussed in

the main part of your report and the reader directed to
both the Appendix number and the page where it can be
found.
Glossary If you have used words, phrases and terms which may
not be familiar to the reader, you need to place these in
an alphabetical list accompanied by a short explanation.
If they are unusual or essential to an understanding of

the text, such terms should be defined at the beginning
of the report or the reader should be directed to refer to
the glossary.
Reference List All the references used n your report must be

documented fully in the reference list using the Harvard
system used by RMIT College of Business.
The guide to RMIT referencing can be found at
If you have not used Harvard referencing before, the

online tutorial on <www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu>. will
help you.
Step 10 Using your plan to start writing

In Step 8 you wrote a detailed plan which included the various sources, texts, websites, surveys, interviews that you researched for
your report. Your plan has identified the main ideas and the evidence that supports those ideas.
Sort your plan into sections so that you know what you want to include in the introduction, the various paragraphs in the main part
of your report, the conclusion and recommendations. The more organised this plan is, the easier it will be to write the report.
Step 11 Writing the first draft

Using the detailed plan you have now developed, set aside a block of time to write the first draft of your report. Aim to write the
whole report in the time you have set aside as this will give your work a clear flow. Do not be concerned at this stage with
headings, numbering systems, correct grammar, spelling, or referencing as this will be done at the editing stage.
Once you have written this first draft it will be much easier to see where evidence is lacking, and where information could be more
logically re-organised. Then you can start to create headings and subheadings related to each section of information.
Leave the numbering of each section until you have a final draft.
As you will probably need to write several drafts before the report is ready for submission, make sure you have allowed sufficient
time to do this.
When you write your essay, you will need to use techniques such as paraphrasing and synthesising.
Paraphrasing is expressing in your own words the ideas of another writer.
Synthesising is the ability to express in your own words the similarities or differences in the ideas of a number of
authors.
You must always acknowledge the sources for your ideas even when you use your own words. For more information
on how to paraphrase and synthesise go to <www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu>.
For more information on how to reference when paraphrasing go to

Direct quotations are when you use the exact words of the author/source.
You may use direct quotation in your assessment tasks, but these should be kept to a minimum.
Whenever quoting from any source you must correctly reference the work. For further information on how to
reference direct quotes, go to <www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/bus/public/referencing>.
For more information on direct quotes, go to <www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu>.

Step 12 Formatting your report
Headings
A report is divided into numbered sections using headings and subheadings which highlight the main parts and ideas within the
report. Headings need to be brief and informative.
Headings are used to:
• • separate the text into smaller, more manageable units that summarise the content of each headed section.
• • assist the reader to find information quickly and easily.
• • present a new idea / aspect of the content.
A sub-heading is used when this idea is extended and further explored.
Numbering system
You need to use a consistent numbering system to identify the different sections of a report. It is recommended that you use the
decimal system as shown in the example below.
1. 1 MANUFACTURING
1.1 Staff
1.1.1 Recruitment
1.1.2 Training
1.1.3 Salary
1.1.4 Promotion
1.2 Equipment
1.2.1 Costing and budgeting
1.2.2 Ordering
1.2.3 Repair and maintenance
1.3 Inventory
1.3.1 Raw materials
1.3.2 Component parts
1.3.3 Inventory management
1.4 Output
1.4.1 Work in progress
1.4.2 Finished goods
2 SALES
2.1 Staff
2.1.1 Recruitment …
All numbered sections and headings must all be included in the Table of Contents and must match with the respective page
numbers. This ensures that the reader can access information easily.
Remember each page of your report must also be numbered.
Style of language
Reports are intended to be read easily and to provide quick access to information. You are writing about facts or relevant pieces of
information. Therefore the style of language is simple and direct.
Sentences should not be complicated - state the point you are making clearly and directly.
A report is written in an objective and impersonal manner as it is presenting facts. Unless you have been asked for your personal
opinion you should not be using personal pronouns such as ’you’,’ we’ and ‘I’. Do not offer your own personal point of view.
Language needs to be formal. Do not use abbreviations or slang or SMS.

Table 18
Examples of the language used in the different sections
of a report
Reasons for the report This report was commissioned as a result of ongoing
concerns about..
The report sets out to examine the reasons for …
This report investigated..
Objectives This report aims to explore the options available...

The main objectives of the report are to examine the
reasons …
This report examines the relationship between …
Methodology In order to review current procedures …

Staff members were asked to complete an on-line
questionnaire…
Findings The investigation clearly showed that …

Initial findings suggest that ….
Conclusions Analysis of the data showed that …

The following conclusion can be drawn from the
investigation …
Recommendations It is recommended that …

Because of the …, it is suggested that the following
actions be considered.
Do NOT use informal language. Note the way impersonal and passive language has been used in Table 19.
Table 19
Informal versus formal language
Informal Formal
I think that this sort of thing should never happen again. Correct procedures, as set out in the Staff Manual, must
be followed so that such incidents do not occur again.
I reckon if customers are unhappy about the service or our When complaints are made, the problem needs to be
product, the boss needs to know. reported and the situation monitored.
You should have got the minutes by now. The minutes for the AGM has been circulated to all
participants.
Cul8r The committee will meet tomorrow.
Bullet points
In some reports, bullet points are acceptable. Check that they are allowed in your report.
When you use bullet points as part of the sentence, each bullet point is in lower case and should be grammatically correct, e.g.
The success of a report depends on:-
• • the objectivity of the presentation
• • the value of the research
• • the analysis of relevant information
• • the ease with which information can be accessed
Use of visual material
Graphic materials, e.g. figures, tables, illustrations and charts are a very useful way of presenting information.
If used in the text, visual material should be positioned as close as possible to the discussion and cited appropriately, both in the text
and the reference list.
If used in the Appendices, they should be clearly labelled and referred to in the discussion within the report. They must also be
cited appropriately and listed in the Table of Contents.
In your discussion, you will need to inform the reader what the graphic material represents, e.g. point out any important trends or
generalisations and highlight the significant point(s) you are making.
Different types of figures and tables fulfill different functions. You should always choose the most appropriate type of
illustration for your purpose. For example:-
• • line graphs are useful for showing trends,

• • bar graphs clearly show comparisons
• • pie charts can be used to show sub-categories in relation to the whole e.g. the percentage of students attending
RMIT University classified by nationality.
If you are giving the report orally, pie charts and graphs are easier to read and understand than tables.
Refer to<www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/content/2_AssessmentTasks/assess_tuts/Format_LL/figures.html>.
Editing your final draft

You need to edit your draft before submitting the final version.
Read your Course Guide carefully to ensure that you have met the requirements of the assignment.
Observe the word limit or you may be penalised. Word limits, as the words imply, set the limit on the number of words that can be
used. The topic has been designed so that the issues and complexities can be explored within this word limit.
Using ‘Tools’ on the menu bar in Microsoft Word, check your spelling and grammar and make the necessary changes.
Report writing checklist
Have you followed the instructions on report formatting set out in your course guide?
Table 20
Report Writing Checklist
Feature Details
Title page • • Title of the assignment

• • Author’s name
• • Receiver’s name
• • Name of course
• • Date of submission
Table of Contents • • Accurate reflection of

structure
• • List of tables/figures
• • Headings that match page
numbers
Executive Summary • • A separate page

• • Heading
• • Summary of the main points
in whole assignment
• • Numbering
Introduction • • Definition of the topic and

key terms
• • Delineate the scope and focus
of the topic
• • Indicate the writing task
• • Present a plan of the
argument
• • Show the writer’s theoretical
approach
Main section of the report • • An introductory section

• • Logical developments of
problem and research
• • Use quotations as evidence
• • Use secondary and primary
research
• • Conclusions
• • Recommendation
Conclusion • • Restate the main ideas

• • Give the writer’s personal
opinion on the matter
• • State implications
Recommendations • • Relate to the conclusions

• • Are they specific
• • Are they action orientated
Layout of the report • • Headed

• • Numbered
• • Spaced as instructed (+
margins)
Final edit • • Spell checked

• • Grammar checked –
electronically and personally
For more information on report writing, go to the learning lab <www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu>.
Referencing
All reports must be referenced according to the guidelines set out at
or
<http://prodmams.rmit.edu.au/s9sx559hurvc.rtf>.
or
Reference list
Cortada, J (ed). 1998, Rise of the knowledge worker, Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston.
RMIT Business 2004 RMIT Business assignment cover sheet, RMIT University, viewed 20 January 2006, <>.
RMIT University 2003a, Policy:Plagiarism, Academic Registrar’ s Group, RMIT University, viewed 25 August 2003, <>.
RMIT University 2003b, RMIT Regulations 6.1.1 – Student Discipline, RMIT Online, viewed 19 August 2003, <>.
Shannon, J (2003), A companion to business statistics, Pearson, Frenchs Forest, NSW.
Style manual for authors, editors and printers 2002, 6th edn, John Wiley & Sons, Australia.
Bibliography
The Australian Oxford dictionary 2004, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne
Collins Australian dictionary 2003, 5th edn, HarperCollins, Pymble, NSW.
Macquarie dictionary 2005, 4th edn, Macquarie Library, North Ryde, NSW.
RMIT Academic Registrar's Group 2005, Plagiarism (and how to avoid it): resources for students, RMIT University, viewed 6
February 2006, <http://www.rmit.edu.au/academic-policy/plagiarism_resources>.
RMIT University Learning Skills Unit 2006, Learning Lab, RMIT University, viewed 6 February 2006,
<http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/>.
Hint: Click on link to Business at bottom of page for tutorials on literature reviewing, report writing and referencing.
RMIT University Library 2005, Copyright, plagiarism and fair use, RMIT University, viewed 6 February 2006,
<http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/info-trek/copyright> .
RMIT University Library 2005, Referencing resources, RMIT University, viewed 6 February 2006,
<http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/info-trek/referencing>.
RMIT University Teaching and Learning 2005, Academic Integrity @ RMIT, RMIT University, viewed 6 February 2006,
<http://www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity>.
Glossary
Instruction words – likely to occur in the topic question of an essay or business report:
Table 21
Instruction words Explanation
Analyse Separate or break the subject matter into its parts to

discover their nature, proportion, function and
relationships
Argue Systematically support or reject a position by presenting

reasons and evidence for acceptance or rejection, while
indicating your awareness of opposing points of view
Comment Make critical observations about the subject matter; Be

careful not to write too many generalisations
Compare Find similarities and differences between two or more

ideas, events, interpretations etc. Ensure you understand
exactly what you are being asked to compare.
Contrast Similar to Compare, the difference is that you should

concentrate on dissimilarities
Define Provide clear concise, authoritative meanings, in which

you address the nature or essential qualities of the
question. Details are not necessary but you may wish to
cite the boundaries or limitations of the definition, since
meaning can extend beyond simple definitions
Describe Recall facts, processes or events. Try to provide a

thorough description emphasising the most important
points. You are not asked to explain or interpret
Discuss Present a point of view, that of others and/or your own.

This will entail both description and interpretation. Your
opinion should be supported by arguments and evidence.
Enumerate Provide a list or outline form of reply. In such essays

you should recount one by one, but concisely, the points
required
Evaluate To appraise in order to make a judgment which requires

consideration of strengths and weaknesses.
Illustrate Clarify, exemplify or elucidate by presenting a figure,

picture, diagram or concrete example
List Provide an itemised series or tabulation - often expressed

in point form.
Outline Give an organised description or an ordering of

information in which you state the main point, but omit
details. Present the information in a systematic
arrangement or classification
Relate When showing relationships your answer should

emphasise connections and associations in a descriptive
manner.
Review Re-examine, analyse and comment briefly (in an
organised sequence) on the major points of an issue
State Formally set forth a position or declare definitely.

Details and examples can be omitted
Summarise Provide a brief statement or account covering the main

points in sequence, or assimilate parts into a general
comment. Omit details
Acknowledgements
The College of Business Guidelines for referencing and presentation in written reports and essays has been designed and developed
by the Academic Development Group, College of Business, in partnership with the Study and Learning Centre.

Guidelines For Referencing and Presentation in Written Reports and Essays

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Approved: April 2010

Table Title Page

1.1 Getting started

In this system, each reference is indicated in two areas of your work:

2.2 In-text citations

Paraphrasing is used to indicate to the reader:

• your understanding of the content in the reference you are using.

2.2.1.1 How to reference in-text

2.2.2 Direct quotes

2.2.2.1 How to reference in-text

What is the difference between a reference list and a bibliography?

2.3.1 Referencing internet sources

It may not be clear:

Web addresses (URL - Uniform Resource Locator)

Enclose the URL in angle brackets

Two or three authors

Four or more authors

Newspapers from a database or hard copy In-Text Reference

Websites – corporations / institutions

Shannon (2003, p. 45) defines…

Book – four or more authors

Cope, B & Mason, D (eds) 2001,

Book chapter / article

When the e-book is in a library

Alternatively an anonymous article

Several items with same author and

Several items with same first author

Journal articles online

If a journal article appears in a

If the article was located

If the article is only available on Brewer, P & Sherriff, G 2007,

Brewer, P & Sherriff, G 2007,

Note: if the newspaper article

Newspaper articles online

Published conference papers

Online conference papers

Government publications can be

Videorecordings and television

Personal communications Not required. This was confirmed in an email

Further details of this may be Costa, C 2007, email, 5

Note that there is no single

Business Entry Point 2005,

Document on a web site

Telstra n.d., Audit governance

Datamonitor 2005, Westfield The Westfield Group has

‘Title of article’ ‘The exponential power of In (Connectedintelligence

Journal articles online

Brewer, P & Sherriff, G 2007,

2.4.4 Legislation and legal cases

Legal referencing http://mulr.law.unimelb.edu.au/

Stein, B 2003, …(single author entry)

Style manual for authors, editors and printers

Vancouver style as described in Style manual for

2.7 Using EndNote with RMIT Business style

EndNote allows you to

3.1.1 What constitutes plagiarism?

3.1.2 What is the penalty for plagiarism?

Penalties for plagiarism (RMIT University 2003b) include:

• recording of a failure for the assignment or course.

3.3 How to avoid plagiarism

DO NOT directly copy phrases and / or passages