30 Minutes To Write A Report (30 Minutes Series)

Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the relevant copyright, designs and patents acts, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the publishers. 30 Minutes ... To Write a Report Patrick Forsyth KOGAN PAGE YOURS TO HAVE AND TO HOLD BUT NOT TO COPY The publication you are reading is protected by copyright law. This means that the publisher could take you and your employer to court and claim heavy legal damages if you make unauthorised photocopies from these pages. Photocopying copyright material without permission is no different from stealing a magazine from a newsagent, only it doesn’t seem like theft. The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) is an organisation which issues licences to bring photocopying within the law. It has designed licensing services to cover all kinds of special needs in business, education and government. If you take photocopies from books, magazines and periodicals at work your employer should be licensed with the CLA. Make sure you are protected by a photocopying licence. The Copyright Licensing Agency Limited, 90 Tottenham Court Road, London, WIP OLP. Tel: 0171 436 5931. Fax: 0171 436 3986. First published in 1997 Reprinted 1997, 1999 Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms and licences issued by the CLA. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside those terms should be sent to the publishers at the undermentioned address: Kogan Page Limited 120 Pentonville Road London NI 9JN © Patrick Forsyth, 1997 The right of Patrick Forsyth to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN 0 7494 2360 9 Typeset by Florencetype Ltd, Stoodleigh, Devon Printed in England by Clays Ltd, St Ives plc CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 THE OPPORTUNITY Prevailing standards The worst case Easily influenced: for good or ill Reader expectations Specific requirements and rewards 2 PREPARATION AND DRAFTING The first question: why? Information is power A systematic approach 3 SHAPE AND STRUCTURE 1. The beginning 2. The middle 3. The end Anything further? 4 THE POWER OF LANGUAGE An appropriate and effective style What readers expect Readers’ dislikes The writer’s approach The use of language Mistakes to avoid Following the rules Style 5 THE RIGHT LOOK The format of a report The layout of the pages The use of exhibits The overall ‘packaging’ of a report A final judgement AFTERWORD 5 7 7 8 9 9 11 13 14 17 18 23 23 25 30 32 33 34 34 38 40 41 45 47 49 51 52 53 56 56 58 60 The 30 Minutes Series The Kogan Page 30 Minutes Series has been devised to give your confidence a boost when faced with tackling a new skill or challenge for the first time. So the next time you’re thrown in at the deep end and want to bring your skills up to scratch or pep up your career prospects, turn to the 30 Minutes Series for help! Titles available are: 30 Minutes Before Your Job Interview 30 Minutes Before a Meeting 30 Minutes Before a Presentation 30 Minutes to Boost Your Communication Skills 30 Minutes to