Guide to Report Writing 2023/24

Aug 31, 2026

A practical guide that helps students and staff write clear, well-structured reports for study and workplace contexts. It explains what a report is, how it differs from an essay, and how to plan and lay out a document for effective presentation. The guide covers managing time, using a six-stage planning and writing process, presenting data through tables and figures, writing summaries and key sections, maintaining academic integrity, and avoiding common mistakes through targeted FAQs.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatDOCX

Pages28

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

About this guide

Using the guide

So what is a report?

How does a report differ from an essay?

Differences between Reports and Essays

Layout

Preparation and Planning

Time Management

The Six Stage Planning and Writing Process

Presenting data and illustrations

Tables

Figures

Charts

Photographs

Diagrams

Equations

Listing on Table of Contents

Word count for illustrations

Writing the report – essential characteristics

Academic Integrity

Getting it right: avoiding common mistakes and addressing FAQs

References

Appendix 1 Further useful sources of information and guides

Appendix 2 Report Writing Checklist

Appendix 3 Useful words and phrases

Guide to Report Writing 2023/24 Table of Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109881" 1.0 About this guide PAGEREF _Toc80109881 \h 1 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109882" 1.1 Using the guide PAGEREF _Toc80109882 \h 1 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109883" 1.2 So what is a report? PAGEREF _Toc80109883 \h 1 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109884" 1.3 How does a report differ from an essay? PAGEREF _Toc80109884 \h 1 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109885" 1.4 Differences between Reports and Essays PAGEREF _Toc80109885 \h 1 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109886" 2.0 Layout PAGEREF _Toc80109886 \h 3 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109887" 3.0 Preparation and Planning PAGEREF _Toc80109887 \h 4 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109888" 3.1 Time Management PAGEREF _Toc80109888 \h 4 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109889" 3.2 The Six Stage Planning and Writing Process PAGEREF _Toc80109889 \h 5 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109890" Planning PAGEREF _Toc80109890 \h 5 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109891" 4.0 Presenting data and illustrations: tables, figures, diagrams and photographs PAGEREF _Toc80109891 \h 7 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109892" 4.1 Tables PAGEREF _Toc80109892 \h 7 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109893" 4.2 Figures PAGEREF _Toc80109893 \h 8 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109894" 4.2.1 Charts PAGEREF _Toc80109894 \h 8 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109895" 4.2.2 Photographs PAGEREF _Toc80109895 \h 9 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109896" 4.2.3 Diagrams PAGEREF _Toc80109896 \h 9 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109897" 4.3 Equations PAGEREF _Toc80109897 \h 9 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109898" 4.4 Listing on Table of Contents PAGEREF _Toc80109898 \h 9 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109899" 4.5 Word count for illustrations PAGEREF _Toc80109899 \h 9 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109900" 5. Writing the report – essential characteristics: useful tips for writing summaries, introductions, main text, conclusions and appendices PAGEREF _Toc80109900 \h 10 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109901" 5.1 Academic Integrity PAGEREF _Toc80109901 \h 12 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109902" 6. Getting it right: avoiding common mistakes and addressing FAQs PAGEREF _Toc80109902 \h 14 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109903" References PAGEREF _Toc80109903 \h 19 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109904" Appendix 1 Further useful sources of information and guides PAGEREF _Toc80109904 \h 20 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109905" Appendix 2 Report Writing Checklist PAGEREF _Toc80109905 \h 21 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc80109906" Appendix 3 Useful words and phrases PAGEREF _Toc80109906 \h 23 List of Tables Table 1 UK bat species population trends summary table, 2013……………………………………..7 Table 2 Examples of superfluous words and alternatives………………………………………………..11 Table 3 Words included in the word count of a report……………………………………………………17 List of Figures Figure 1 Relationship between Mauna Loa Annual Mean CO2 (ppm) and Arctic Sea Ice Annual Minimum (km2)………………………………………………………………………………………………….8 1.0 About this guide Frequently, at university, an assignment will require students to produce an answer in the form of a report. Similarly, at work, reports are often used to address a particular issue or to consider the findings of some research. This guide aims to support students to write high quality, well set out reports and to address some of the frequently asked questions about report writing at Harper Adams University. This guide contains generic guidelines for writing reports; so please ensure you read the assignment brief carefully and look at departmental guidelines for sector specific formats. 1.1 Using the guide This guide has been divided up into sections to examine all the elements of producing a report. It will consider: Layout: How to structure a report to include the correct sections Preparation and Planning: things to consider before starting Presenting data and illustrations: tables, figures and photos Writing the report – essential characteristics: Useful tips for writing summaries, introduction

FAQs

What is a report and what elements does it include?

A report addresses a specific subject or issue using information and/or data from historic and/or current sources. It includes description, analysis, and critical evaluation that leads to evidence-supported conclusions.

How does a report differ from an essay?

Reports often follow a more formal structure with defined sections and headings, and they usually begin with a Summary or Abstract before the Introduction. Essays generally focus on presenting arguments and the writer’s perspective, typically starting with an Introduction.

What should be covered when presenting data and illustrations?

The guide covers how to present information using tables, figures, and photos, including charts, photographs, diagrams, and equations. It also includes guidance such as how illustrations are listed and how illustration word count is handled.

Aug 31, 2026

Upload by Oliver Hayes