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A Report On How To Write in Business Report Format - 012032

The document provides guidance for students on how to write reports in a business format. It discusses the purpose and structure of reports, including typical sections, as well as formatting, style, and referencing. Key sections include the title page, introduction, background, analysis, discussion, conclusion and recommendations. Headings, fonts, margins, and an objective tone are emphasized.

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17 views

A Report On How To Write in Business Report Format - 012032

The document provides guidance for students on how to write reports in a business format. It discusses the purpose and structure of reports, including typical sections, as well as formatting, style, and referencing. Key sections include the title page, introduction, background, analysis, discussion, conclusion and recommendations. Headings, fonts, margins, and an objective tone are emphasized.

Uploaded by

afiaa1520
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

REPORT IN RESPONSE TO MANY REQUESTS FROM STUDENTS WHO

ARE UNSURE AS TO HOW TO WRITE IN BUSINESS REPORT FORMAT

PRODUCED FOR: STUDENTS STUDYING AT OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY

PRODUCED BY: DR JENNY LLOYD


DATE: 12TH September 2019

Version 1.2
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item Page
Executive Summary 3
1.0 Introduction 4
2.0 Purpose of the report 4
3.0 Structure of the report 4
4.0 Content of the report 4-5
5.0 Formatting of the report 5
6.0 Style of writing, language and tone 5-6
7.0 Summary, conclusion and recommendations 6
8.0 Bibliography and references 7

2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The aim of the executive summary is to provide the reader with a brief outline of the key
points of the report. Like the appendices it does not generally contribute to the wordcount
and should occupy a page on its own. It should identify the objectives of the report, outline
of methods/content and then finish with a VERY brief summary of the results/conclusion. It
should not be a full repetition of the contents of the report. Ideally it should be no longer
than a single page (obviously depending upon the depth and size of the report).

3
1.0 Introduction
This report aims to provide students with a clear brief outline as to how to approach the
writing of an assessment in business report format. It will outline the purpose of a
‘report’ and explore the structure and conventions that should be adopted. It will then
discuss the content of the report and how it should be formatted. Finally, it will consider
the use of referencing in report format and the role of appendices.

2.0 Purpose of a Report


The aim of a report is to provide a clear and concise response to a brief. According to
Lloyd (2016, p.20) a report is ‘a document that is written for a clear purpose for a
defined audience’. Therefore it should be an objective and factual analysis of a situation
given with a reasoned and evidence-based set of conclusions. There is no place for
hyperbole, sweeping statements or personal opinion unless supported by evidence.

3.0 Structure of a Report


The report should have clear sections that are broken down into headings and
subheadings. These should be clearly numbered.
3.1 Headings and Subheadings
Headings provide the reader with a signpost to the content of each section.
Headings also serve another purpose as they help to convey the coherence of
your report structure. If sequenced logically, the reader should be able to scan
them to get an understanding of the basic content of the report without reading
the detail. Subheadings also have a role in the creation of effective report
structures
3.1.1 Sub-headings as Signposts
Headings and, particularly subheadings, help to signpost the report’s
narrative and key areas of importance.
3.1.2 Dangers of Overuse of Sub-Headings
Even though you are writing in report format, it is important that you
maintain a coherent narrative through the content of your analysis
and not just through your list of headings and sub-headings. Overuse
of subheadings can lead to a fragmented and disjointed narrative that
is difficult to follow. You can break it down too much so achieving a
balance is very important.

4.0 Content of a Report


It has already been noted that your report should be divided into sections. Conventional
structures to a basic business report includes the following:

4
 Title page – should identify the purpose of the report, who it is for and who has
written it. If it is a version (and often there are multiple versions of a report) that
should also be stated.
 Introduction – outline of the purpose of the report and the way that the purpose will
be addressed within the structure of the report.
 Background – a brief outline of the background to the issue in question. Sometimes
this might be a historical overview or it might be an analysis of current market
conditions – or both. The ‘background’ should provide the context within which the
key issues need to be considered.
 Analysis of the key issues – where key points are identified, analysed and discussed.
This is not an ‘opinion piece’ so supporting evidence is required throughout.
 Discussion – analysis of the key issues of key issues is drawn together. Evaluation and
prioritisation (on the basis of evidence/justification) is undertaken.
 Summary conclusion and recommendations – on the basis of your analysis and your
discussion section you should be able to offer a summary conclusion (of what you
see as the key points) and make evidence-based recommendations on the basis of
them.
 References/Bibliography – for maximum credibility you should cite all sources using
Harvard style referencing.
 Appendices – these should contain supporting and background material. Your reader
should not spend more time reading your appendices than they do your report.
Ideally, your report should be able to stand alone without them if necessary.

5.0 Formatting the Report


Your report should be formatted in good business style. This includes:
 Use Ariel or Calibri font of no less than 10 and no more than 12 point (apart from
the title page).
 Leave reasonable margins at both sides and at the top and bottom of the page.
 Number all pages.
 Feel free to use bullet points for lists of key points but make sure that they are
self-explanatory and that there is a degree of balance (i.e. your report is not
totally comprised of bullets).
 Use tables and diagrams but they, like all sources should be referenced correctly
throughout.

6.0 Style of Writing, Language and Tone


You should adopt a business-like tone to your writing. Try to adopt an objective stance
to maximise credibility. To achieve this, write in the third person (this will also stop you
from offering your ‘opinion’), avoid hyperbole and don’t make sweeping statements that
can’t be evidenced. Proofread your work for grammar, punctuation and typographical

5
errors and also for sense as there is nothing more damaging to the credibility of a report
than silly errors.

7.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations


It is clear that a business report format has the potential to offer students a vehicle to
convey their knowledge, understanding and analytical ability with clarity and in a concise
fashion. However, it should be noted that correct formatting alone is not the sole criteria
for a good report; the basis of a good report is solid preparation. Research and analusis
using credible sources should be the first step in the creation of good report.
Presentation of that information in report format only offers a vehicle to convey that
information clearly and effectively. In summary, it doesn’t matter how well a report is
formatted, the old adage applies; ‘garbage in, garbage out’ i.e. if you use rubbish to
construct a report, the report will be rubbish.
8.0

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8.0 References and Bibliography

Bargiela-Chiappini, F. and Nickerson, C., (1999) Business writing as social action. Writing
Business: Genres, Media and Discourses, pp.1-32.

Bovée, C.L.T. and John, V., (2003) Business communication today (No. 658.45 B783b). New
York, US: McGraw-Hill,

Collis, J. and Hussey, R., 2013. Business research: A practical guide for undergraduate and
postgraduate students. Palgrave Macmillan.

Lloyd, J. (2016) A good book on academic writing that I haven’t written yet, Publications
Press, Oxford

May, C.A. and May, G.S., (1984) Effective Writing. Prentice-Hall.

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