It can seem intimidating to be assigned to write a report.If you pay attention to the report prompt, you can choose a subject you like and give yourself plenty of time to research it.After you gather your research and organize it into an outline, it's time to write out your paragraphs and proofread your paper
Step 1: The report should be read quickly and carefully.
If your teacher, professor, or boss gave you guidelines for your report, make sure you read them thoroughly to understand the assignment.The prompt will give you information such as whether your report should be informative or persuasive, who your audience is, and any issues you should address.The requirements for the structure and format of your report are typically given by the guidelines.Speak up as soon as possible if you have any questions about the assignment.It would be better if you didn't work on the report until you find out you have to start over.
Step 2: You should choose a topic that interests you.
Depending on what your report will be on, you may have some wiggle room.You will be more engaged in the research and writing process if you pick a topic that interests you.A report that is more fun to read will result in better feedback or a higher grade.The first woman to be governor of a state in the U.S., or the man who invented Silly Putty, are examples of interesting people you might choose to include in your report.You could gather information about the use of computers to store, retrieve, transmit, and manipulate information if your report is about information technology.Even if you don't have the option to choose a topic, you can still find interesting things in your research.If your assignment is to give a report on the historical events of the 1960s in America, for example, you could look at the way popular music reflected the events that occurred during that time.
Step 3: Pick a topic that is specific.
Since you will be trying to cover too much information all at once, your report will seem disorganized if you write about too broad of a topic.Your topic should not be so narrow that you cannot find anything to write about.There is a lot of supporting details in one aspect of the topic.Pick a larger topic if you don't know what to write about first.If you wanted to do a report on World Fairs, you might want to focus on the Panama-Pacific International Exposition because there are too many of them to talk about.Since it could be hard to find sources on the subject without just listing a lot of recipes, you wouldn't want to narrow it down to something specific.
Step 4: There are a lot of reliable sources in your paper.
If the report guidelines give you a number of sources to use or a limit on how many of a specific type of source you can use, be careful.If you don't source your report properly, you will not get good feedback.Books, newspapers, or scholarly articles written on the subject should be the authoritative sources you need.Try to find 1-2 reliable sources for each page of the report if you don't have guidelines on how many sources to use.Primary sources include original written works, court records, interviews, and reference books.If you want to find primary and secondary sources for your report, databases, abstracts, and indexes are considered tertiary sources.If you are writing a business report, you may be given some supplementary materials, such as market research or sales reports.
Step 5: If you are writing a report for school, you should visit the library first.
Even if you can use online sources, the best place to start is the library.When you are ready to start your report, visit your school's library, a public library in your area, or even a nearby college or university library.To gain access to books, scholarly journals, periodicals, and other sources that might not be available online, you need to search the library's database.When working on a report, librarians are an excellent resource.They can help you find credible sources.A teacher may limit the number of online sources you can use.If you find most of the information you need in the library, you can use your online sources for details that you couldn't find anywhere else.
Step 6: If you are doing online research, use only scholarly sources.
It can be hard to sift through all of the material on the internet to find authoritative sources since anyone can write something and put it online.If you want to get high-level sources, you need to use an academic search engine that requires a usernames and passwords.Government websites, articles written by experts, and publications in peer-reviewed journals are examples of authoritative online sources.
Step 7: You should cross reference your sources to find new material.
You can use the sources that the author used to help you with your own report if you come across an article on the subject you are researching.If you read an article that mentions a previous publication on the same topic, look for that one as well.Some new information will help you understand your subject better.Check the back few pages if you are using a book as a source.An author will usually list the sources they used for their book.
Step 8: As you research, keep detailed notes.
Write down everything you want to remember about the book, article, or other source you read.All of the information you can find on the source should be written down.The citation information will be listed in your notes, so you can easily create a bibliography later.Number each page of your notes to make sure you don't get confused about what came from which source.You will need to cite any information that you use in your report; however, how you do this will depend on the format that was assigned to you.
Step 9: You can use your research to make a thesis statement.
You should notice a main theme in your notes as you research your paper.A strong thesis statement can be written using this theme.Your thesis statement should summarize what you want to prove in your report for your reader, and all of the body paragraphs should tie back to that idea.Your thesis statement should not contain your own opinions.If you're writing a persuasive report, you need to prove an argument in the body of the essay.A thesis for a persuasive report might be an example of a straightforward report thesis.
Step 10: An outline is how to organize your notes.
It is time to organize your notes into the main structure of your report once you have decided on the thesis statement.Pick 3 or 4 major ideas related to your thesis statement that you will want to cover in your essay.Write down the details from your notes.The purpose of an outline is to show you how your essay will look.A simple list or a concept map can be created, depending on what makes sense to you.If you can organize the information in your notes, it will flow logically.If you are writing a biographical report, it can be helpful to group together related items, like important events from a person's childhood, education, and career.Exhibits at the Court of the Universe and the Four Seasons are examples of main ideas for thesis 1.
Step 11: The report should be formatted according to the guidelines you were given.
If you format your report before you start writing it, you won't have to go through and set it all up at the end.Every time you include information from one of your sources, put in a citation.You don't have to do it after you're done.Try to follow the instructions in the letter.If there isn't any, go for a classic 12-point Times New Roman or Arial, double-spaced lines, and 1 in ( 2.5 cm) margins all around.At the end of the report you'll need to include a reference to any sources you used.The title page should include your name, date, and the person who requested the report.You may need to include a table of contents and summary in some reports.After you have finished your first draft, it is easier to write these.
Step 12: The introduction should include your thesis.
The first thing you need to do is state your thesis.Since you want the reader to be interested in reading the rest of your report, your introductory paragraph should be engaging.The reader knows what the report is going to be about if you provide background information on your topic.The Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) of 1915 was intended to celebrate both the creation of the Panama Canal and the technological advancement achieved during the century.The three main halls of the PPIE were filled with modern creations from the day and were an excellent representation of innovative spirit.
Step 13: The body of the report should begin with a topic sentence.
The evidence that supports your thesis is in the body paragraphs.The body paragraphs have a topic sentence and evidence supporting it.The main idea of the body paragraph is introduced by the topic sentence.The most important information should be presented first.The greatest achievements of man, as well as the meeting of the East and the West, were represented by the Court of The Universe.
Step 14: Each topic sentence should be supported with evidence from your research.
Provide evidence from your research that supports your topic sentence after you write it.The research should be incorporated with a mixture of quotes and paraphrases.Your report will flow better if you link the text of each body paragraph to the topic sentence.Referring to the original author's ideas in your own words is called paraphrasing.Direct quotes use the exact words from the original source in quotation marks, with the author cited.The body paragraph should list the different exhibits found at the exhibit, as well as prove how the Court represented the meeting of the East and West.Don't plagiarize and use your sources to support your topic.Keep the information in your own words.If you copy from your sources, you'll get in serious trouble.You should cite each source according to the guidelines you were given.
Step 15: Commentators will explain why your evidence links to your thesis.
You have your own ideas about your topic and the evidence.You can link the evidence to your thesis by analyzing it to explain how it supports the ideas presented in your topic sentence.The reader will follow your train of thought, which makes your argument stronger.Your commentary needs to last at least 1-2 sentences.You can write more sentences for each piece of commentary.
Step 16: In the conclusion paragraph, summarize your research.
Your final thoughts on your topic are provided in this paragraph.It should reinforce the significance of the information you have presented and reiterate what the reader should be taking away from your report.The conclusion should not include any new information.You don't want it to be a "Gotcha!" moment.It should be a strong summary of what you have said.
Step 17: Scan the report to make sure everything is included.
Try to imagine that you are a reader that has never heard of this information as you read the report.The report is easy to follow and the point you are making is clear.Look for evidence that supports your thesis.If I were to read this report for the first time, would I feel like I understood it after I finished?
Step 18: Make sure to check for errors.
If your report is full of errors, it will look amateur and messy.Writing your report in a word processor with a built-in spell checker can help you catch mistakes as you're writing, but there's no substitute for thorough proofreading.It's a good idea to read the report loud.Hearing the words will help you catch awkward language or run-on sentences.
Step 19: From the beginning to the end, read each sentence.
Sometimes you can accidentally skim over text that you have already read, no matter how carefully you read through your report.Try to read it again, but this time, look at it from the other side.Start with the last sentence of the report.You can use this trick to find spelling errors that your eye wouldn't notice.
Step 20: Have someone else read it for you.
After you have already read the report several times, having a second pair of eyes can be helpful.If you can find someone who is willing to read the report for you, you should ask them to point out any spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and awkward language.Ask your helpers questions like, "Do you understand what I am saying in my report?" and "Is there anything you think I should take out or add?"
Step 21: Make sure your report is in line with the assignment requirements.
Don't risk losing points if you did the assignment wrong because all of your hard work deserves to be rewarded.Make sure your paper meets the requirements for full credit by going through the assignment or rubric.Ask your instructor if you have any questions.It's important to know how your assignment will be graded.