Module 2b —
Report Writing
| Course Guide | Module 1 | Module 2a | Module 2b |
Introduction
| "To hear is to forget, to see and hear is to remember, and to do is to understand." (Confucius) |
This module takes you through the process of producing a report from conception through to proofreading. You will learn by doing rather than by reading about how to do.
In the first section, From Task to Draft, you will apply the writing framework discussed in Module 1 to the task of report writing. You will determine a statement of purpose for your report and do an in-depth analysis of its intended readers. You will then organize your material and produce a preliminary draft.
The second and most substantial section of the module, Key Sections of a Report, will take you through the fundamental skills of report writing. You will work through ILO-based exercises on writing introductions, conclusions, recommendations, and summaries.
In the third section, Working with Visual Information, you will consider the use of visual representations of information such as tables, charts, graphs, and images. You will revise and polish the corresponding parts of your assignment report or add visual information if it is not included in your initial draft.
The next section, Editing your Report, focuses on the final tasks needed to complete your report and make it ready for distribution. This section lets you apply what you learned in Module 1 to a single text.
At times during the preparation of your report, you will be asked to reflect on the process that you are undertaking. You will keep a record of the time you take on the various steps in preparing your report and your observations about the process. This reflective process will help you work out the best way to approach future report-writing tasks.
Throughout, you will have the support of your tutor, with whom you will be required to discuss the scope and directions of your report.