Writing a report

A survey report is …
…. a piece of writing presenting and analyzing the results of research concerning reactions to a product, plan etc, including general assessment, conclusions and/or recommendations

A SURVEY REPORT CONSISTS OF:
An introduction
in which you state the purpose and content of your report
A main body
in which all information collected on the topic is presented in detail under suitable subheadings
A final paragraph
in which you summarize the points mentioned before, adding your recommendation or suggestion(s)

The info may have been gathered in a survey/poll or compiled from official statistic data, and may reflect the opinions/preferences of the general public, a particular group of people, a random sample of population etc.
The info may be presented in the form of facts (numbers, percentages and proportions) or generalisations (This indicates/suggests/implies that…)
Present tenses are normally used to present generalisations
Points to consider

KEY FACTORS INCLUDE MAKING SURE WHAT IS WRITTEN ARE:
?Brief; or at least as brief as content and purpose allow
? Clear and understandable
? Precise, saying exactly what you want (and not including lots of extra material)
? In their language (at an appropriate level of
technicality)

Are you intended to…
inform and/or explain
recommend
motivate
prompt or play a part in debate
persuade
instruct

Keep your readers in mind
Who the report is for
Whether they form a homogeneous group (and, if not, what sub-groups are involved)
The reasons they want or need the report (even if this will have to be explained to them)
What content they will want included, and in what detail
What they will not want included

The layout of the pages
Space between the lines
Typeface and size
Emphasis
Numbering

USEFUL LANGUAGE

Short words
Short phrases
Short sentences
Paragraphs of the same length
Straightforward

To begin reports…
Handout 1
To end reports
Handout 2