NAME: ______________________________
DATE: __________________________
How to Write a Business Report
Reports consist of the following elements:
Order in Report
Order Written
Executive reads
1. Executive Summary
6
Always
2. Contents
7
N/A
3. Introduction
1 (Unless academic
Report)
Sometimes
4. Findings (Main Body)
3
If interested in
research
5. Conclusions
4
If surprised…
6. Recommendations
5
Nearly always
7. Bibliography / sources
2 Write as you
research
If report shows
area that needs
further
investigation
8. Appendices
Anytime you find
extra info.
Rarely
1 Executive Summary
The executive summary should include a summary of all of the key points,
the idea is that an executive can read the summary and if it appears logical
and inline with expectations the recommendations can be followed without
the need to read further. This is in fact the most important part of the
report and should be written last. The executive summary should include a
summary of all parts of the report including recommendations.
Writing Order: Written after the rest of the report (But before the
contents page)
Email Tip: If you are sending the report via email, include the executive
summary in the main part of your Email, so that a busy executive doesn’t
have to read an attachment to read the main points.
NAME: ______________________________
DATE: __________________________
2 Contents
The Contents of the report should be consistently laid out throughout the
report and you should include both page numbers and title numbers. In this
example we look at the transport requirements for sales people:
3 Introduction / Terms of Reference
The introduction should say why the report is being written. Reports are
nearly always written to solve a business problem. Reports maybe
commissioned because there is a crisis or they maybe routine. Nearly all
reports in some way answer the age-old business problem, how can we
increase profits?
Writing Order: Often written first, but maybe refined at anytime. (In
Business studies courses this could be done later, because the exact
business problem may not be given by the lecturer.)
4 Findings / Main Body
Sometimes reports don’t say Findings, but it is normally assumed that the
main part of your report will be the information you have found.
This information is not always read by executives, but that doesn’t mean it
isn’t important, because without thorough research and analysis the author
will not be able to come to effective conclusions and create
recommendations. Also if anything in the executive summary surprises the
executive, then they will turn directly to the relevant part of the
recommendations.
Writing Order: This is normally written after the 1st draft of the
introduction.
5 Conclusions
The conclusions should summarize the Findings section, do not include
diagrams or graphs in this area. This area should be short, clearly follow the
order of the findings and lead naturally into the recommendations.
NAME: ______________________________
DATE: __________________________
You should never include new information in the conclusion!
Writing Order: Written after the Findings
6 Recommendations
All reports should include recommendations or at least suggestions. It is
important to make sure that there is at least an indicator of what the
Return on Investment would be. It is always best if this can be directly
linked, but may not always be possible.
Make sure that your recommendations clearly follow what is said in the
conclusions
Tip: if you don’t have any ideas suggest a brainstorming meeting and invite
the relevant people.
Writing Order: After the Conclusions
(Source: Abela, James. (2006)
http://www.jamesabela.co.uk/bus/reportwriting.html)
NAME: ______________________________
DATE: __________________________
How to Teach on How to Write a Report
By Ameerah Cetawayo, eHow Contributor
Teach students the
basics of business writing.
The language of business is different from academic writing. Learning how to write
report-style means being detailed and concise in a way that aids business
managers to make decisions. Teaching this important skill requires you to explain
what report writing is all about and provide exercises so students and professionals
can practice and receive the feedback they need.
Things You'll Need




Word processor
Business books or exposure in the corporate world
Examples of business documents
Classroom or meeting area
1 Explain the definition of report writing and its importance. According to the
website Money Instructor, content and presentation in business writing is a direct
reflection on the company as well as the writer. Explain that having error-free
business writing is an essential part of branding and the company's image. Teaching
this concept also means explaining how business writing is an integral part of certain
business disciplines, such as marketing, finance, accounting, management and general
commerce. Report writing is also a skill that is transferable to other disciplines,
including science and communications.
NAME: ______________________________
DATE: __________________________
2 Give examples of business report writing. Report writing is known as
"transactional writing" in that the intent is to communicate facts that either summarize
or analyze a situation or topic and to present an argument based on supporting
evidence. Examples of this can be found through case studies, white papers, annual
reports and some PowerPoint presentations about certain issues.
3 Explain the reporting process cycle, which is to define and understand, to analyze,
to summarize and then to engage. According to the book "Writing in Commerce,"
published by the University of Newcastle, writers should ask themselves what the
purpose of the report is, and whether it exists "to inform, to make a proposal, or to
solve a problem." After the writer defines the audience, he can follow a general
outline for the report itself.
4 Demonstrate the process by providing a template that explains each section of
what a report should contain. The template should include information on the title
page, table of contents, introduction, main section, summarizing of points and
recommendations. Each section of the report should deal with only one topic.
5 Assign practice exercises using report examples from companies and
organizations. For example, assign students to take several annual reports and look
for similarities in the style or presentation of the information. You can also give a fact
sheet of information and have students come up with a report based on the
information provided. Another way to have students practice report-style writing is to
give them a series of arguments and facts and have them put together a formal report
advocating for opposing views with supporting evidence.
6 Give constructive feedback. You can meet with students one-on-one, or have
students do a peer review of reports in class.
Read more: How to Teach on How to Write a Report | eHow.com
http://www.ehow.com/how_7805876_teach-write-report.html#ixzz289Z0pCFO