A sketch note on reporting skillLalit Kishore, Jaipur, India

Key points

Some academic assignments in educational institutions and debriefings at work-places to higher level personnel require a written ‘report’.

Writing reports is a struggle for many to know what to write and how to organize it.

A report is not to be confused with an essay, which is meant to present arguments, justifications and reasoning.

On the other hand, a report concentrates on relevant and specific facts in a situation or event leading to recommendations or suggestions for future action.

A report is a concise document which is written for a particular purpose for others. It often describes a sequence of events in an experience, activity or a situation along with some purposeful analysis and suggestions.

At times, for writing and submitting a report some guidelines are prescribed for better structure and communication through report.

If the report is more than two or three paragraphs, it can have the numbered sections and subsections with headings.

Ask for a briefing for the report, including purpose of the report and for whom it is being prepared. Accordingly make a plan for collecting information during the event to be reported. Record the sources of information.

If the report is more than three pages, then it should have an executive summary, introduction, main body, conclusions and recommendations.

The main body of the report should be carefully structured by having titled sections using numbered sub-headings relating to areas for consideration as decided during briefing.

The inferences and recommendations or implications should have a separate section

A report should have precise text with short sentences. It is necessary to avoid jargon in a report since it is written for others.

Produce a draft report and review it before finalizing it.