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ECF5600 Report Writing

Presenter: Diane Click to edit Master subtitle style Bunney

Learning Skills Advisor School of Accounting, Finance and Economics Room: Jo 2.351 Email: d.bunney@ecu.edu.au
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Your ASSIGNMENT

You are required to produce a business report on a company or industry of your choice report is a group effort and all members are expected to contribute word limit is 2,500 report must be professionally presented and follow the directions provided in the unit plan
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The The The

Preparing you for THE real world of economics

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Step by step approach to your case study

1.

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Research your chosen company or industry extensively target multiple sources of information Share with your group, select the most useful and reliable information Discuss the economic theories you have learnt and apply them to your business or industry Critically evaluate the strategies used 44 by the company or industry

2.

3.

4.

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Planning your report

Meet

with your group and agree on a an outline for the report sections to group members

plan
Write Allocate Set

deadlines for drafts

Arrange Rewrite

a meet to critically evaluate and edit report drafts report draft final draft and submit
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Proofread

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Report structure
Title

page of Contents

Table List

of Appendices tables, reports, graphs etc Summary overview of entire report purpose of report and background information discussion of data, issues, 66

Executive

Introduction Analysis

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Report format
Include the following in your report:
Separate Separate

Title page Table of Contents page headings and sub-headings

Numbered Clearly Page

identifiable paragraphs

footers and page numbers

Professional

presentation consistent font, formatting etc

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Appropriate language
Use Be

formal business English

clear and concise aim for quality v quantity impersonal English - avoid personal pronouns I, we, you; not We think... but It seems that transitions to link ideas therefore, furthermore, however, conversely, consequently
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Use

Use

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Paragraphs

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Linking ideas
Paragraphs Within

follow a logical order, creating a cohesive line of argument paragraphs, sentences are linked by transition signals to show the connection between ideas paragraphs are linked by transition signals to show the connection between paragraphs
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Similarly,

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Transition signals
Transition

signals are verbal signposts which show the reader the links between your ideas direct the flow of thought in the essay and help the reader follow the line of argument signals add cohesion and fluency to your writing to the next few slides for examples of transition signals
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They

Transition Refer

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Making connections
Adding to a point already made:
moreover,

in addition, furthermore, in fact, besides, similarly to begin with, secondly, another, in addition, next, lastly, finally rather, on the other hand, conversely, on the contrary 1212

Writing about a series of points:

firstly,

Introducing a different view:

alternatively,

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More on connections
Introducing examples:
for

example, as follows, including, especially, notably, in particular accordingly, as a result, consequently, for this reason, hence short, to conclude, in conclusion, to sum up, in brief, overall, in all 1313

Indicating cause and effect:

therefore,

Summing up or concluding:
in

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Writing process

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Proofreading Checklist
Check for:
Meaning

clear line of argument,

cohesion
and

logical flow of ideas introduction, order of conclusion research, examples direct and indirect quotes
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Structure

paragraphs, Evidence

References

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Referencing
You

must correctly reference your text book, lecture notes, websites and any other sources referred to in your report in-text referencing in the body of the report and end-text referencing at the end referencing is used for direct or indirect quotes referencing refers to a list of all sources referred to in your work 1616

Use

In-text

End-text

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Tips for winning reports

Clear Good Well

structure appropriate headings

looking format, font, presentation written appropriate language, easy to read and understand convincing line of reasoning flows well data referenced
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Logical

Cohesive Accurate Properly

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References
Crosling, G.M., Murphy, H. M., Cotesta, P. V., Sands, J. (2005). Writing and presenting in accounting. (2nd ed) Sydney, LexisNexis Butterworths. May C & G, (2009) Effective Writing , A Handbook for Accountants, 8th edn, New Jersey, Pearson Prentice Hall.
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