This text provides comprehensive instruction on all aspects of report writing for Human and Community Services, Business, Education, and more. Combining general guidance on professional communication with specific advice on writing reports and unique coverage of reflective practices, Report
Writing Strategies is an ideal guide to the principles of effective report writing.
Unit 1: Introduction
Why Is Report Writing Important?
Writing as Agency for Change
The Personal and Professional Divide
Common Report Writing Contexts
Overview
Unit 2: Tone and Style
Readership
Word Choice and Meaning - Controlling Tone
-
Introduction
- Ways to Sabotage Tone (Intentionally or Unintentionally)
- The Importance of Empathy
Elements of Style
- Concise Writing
- Clarifying Acronyms and Unfamiliar Terms
- Avoiding Clichés, Outdated Phrasing, Slang, and Jargon
- Transitional Words and
Phrases
- Parallelism
- Active and Passive Voice
- Colon and Semicolon
Unit 3: Document Formatting and Design
Informal and Formal Report Structures
Page and Document Design
- Font Category and Font Size
- Paragraphing
- Headings and Subheadings
- Use of
Decimal Notation with Headings
- Report Spacing and the Use of White Space
- Listing Principles
- Figure Columns
- Timelines
- The "Carry-over Rule"
- Page Borders, Colour, and Shading
- Page Numbering
Unit 4: Informal Reports
What Is a Short
Report?
Short Messages Versus Short Reports
Informal Versus Formal Reports
- Graphic Highlighting
Distribution Considerations
Report Types
- Purpose of Reports in a Business or Agency
- Audience for Reports in a Business or Agency
- Informational Versus Analytical
Reports
- Developing a Work Plan
- Informational Reports
- Summary Reports
- Progress Reports
- Case Note Files
- Incident and Accident Reporting
- Incident and Accident Report Strategy: Full Text Version
- Principles for Effective Incident Reporting
Analytical
Reports
- Recommendation Reports
- Feasibility Reports
- Informal Proposals
Unit 5: Formal Reports and Proposals
Introduction
- General Formal Report Types
- The Importance of Fundraising
- Unsolicited vs Solicited Reports
Defining the RFP
- Typical RFP
Content
General Sections and Strategies
- A Note on Recommendation Report Sections
- Typical Proposal Content Sections
Formal Elements: Front Matter
- The Memo/Letter of Transmittal
- Title Page
- Abstract
- Table of Contents
- List of Tables and
Figures
Formal Elements: Back Matter
- Glossary
- References
- Appendices
- Formal Reports and Proposals
- Document Design Checklist
- Audience and Purpose Preliminary Profile: Cheat Sheet
Unit 6: Research Methods for Report Writers
Documentation Style
Guides and Research Methods
Use Research Documentation Style Guide Principles
Use Style Guides Published by Councils, Institutes, or Associations
Research Methods in Academic Settings
Research Documentation Styles Related to Academic Disciplines
Research Methods and
Reliability
- Digitalized and Print Textual Secondary Sources: In-text Citations and Reliability
- Digitalized and Print Textual Secondary Sources: Guidelines for Reliability
- Digitalized and Print Primary Textual Sources
- Digitalized Facsimiles and Original Primary Sources:
Guidelines for Reliability
Avoiding Plagiarism
- Responsible In-text Research Citations
- Self-plagiarism
- Collaborative Plagiarism
- Common Knowledge
Effective Research Source Integration
- Research Sources and Author Identity
- Quoting and Paraphrasing
- Direct
Quotation of Sources: Short Quotations, Block Quotations, and Citing Lists
- Using Signal Phrases to Integrate Quotes and Paraphrases
- Problems with Paraphrasing
- Effective Research Source Integration: Sustaining Author Voice
- The "Paraphrase-Direct Quote TRAP"
Graphics
-
Types of Graphics
- Integration
Citing Graphics: Figures and Tables
- Citing Figures
- Citing Tables
Accurate Bibliographic References
- Personal Communications
Writing an Annotated Bibliography
- What is an Annotated Bibliography?
- Selecting the Sources
-
Summarizing the Argument of a Source
- Assessing the Relevance and Value of a Source
Unit 7: Scholarly Journals
Scholarly Journals
Tips for Searching Databases
1. Search for "Full Text" Only
2. Use the "Peer Reviewed" Button
3. Play with Search Terms
4. Limit
Your Searches
Popular Scholarly Journals in the Communities Services and Business Fields
- Education
- Health Services
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Business Sector
- Community and Human Services
- Human Resources
- Accounting
- Sports Management
Summarizing
Scholarly Journals
1. Determine the Purpose of the Summary
2. Read Through the Article Once for General Meaning
3. Read Through the Article Again until the Main Ideas and Important Points are Clearly Understood
4. Organize Your Notes Into a Sensible Order
5. Draft Your
Summary
6. Polish the Draft and Carefully Edit and Revise for Clarity, Conciseness, and Completion
Unit 8: Reflective Practices
Introduction
Personal and Professional Growth through Reflection
Reflective Practices and Empathy
Employers Encourage Reflective
Thinking
The 5 Domains of Reflective Practice
1. Recording
2. Assumptions and Biases
3. Empathetic Response
4. Synthesis and Transformational Learning
5. Action Plan
Reflection and Workplace Practices
Self-Analysis: Skills and Strengths, Plans and
Vision
Compassion and Fatigue
Self-Care Reflective Practices
Answer Key
Notes
Index
Companion Website:
- Context-specific templates, forms, and assignments for each profession covered by the text (Human and Community Services, Health, Education, and Business)
E-Book ISBN 9780199006960
Cynthia Gagne is a professor of communication at Niagara College, Welland Campus.
Shelley Bradley is a professor of communication at Niagara College, Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus.
Darcie Hillier is a professor of communication at Niagara College, Welland Campus.
