GUIDELINES FOR WRITING THE REPORT

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING THE REPORT

1.​PLANNING THE REPORT
It is important to keep in mind the purpose of the report and the readers to whom it is directed. The content and method of presentation must also be carefully planned. The planning phase of the report should begin as soon as the student is confident that he or she understands the job assignment and the timetable for completing it.

2.​CONTENT
​There are no set rules governing the content of the report, but here are some suggestions.

a)​Consider the learning objectives, which you have set for yourself during the work-term period. The planning of your work, and of your report, will probably reflect these objectives.

b)​Describe briefly some of your day-to-day activities and special assignments. Show how they were useful in providing a learning experience. Do not include detailed work assignments in the body of your report. If you must include some, do so as an addendum.

c)​Describe how your work-term reinforced some of the theoretical knowledge, which you gained in class.

d)​Describe some of the other benefits that you obtained from the workterm experience, such as greater self-confidence, improved communication skills, better defined career objectives, and a better understanding of business organisations.

e)​In order to help you plan your career better, include a section on:

1) Skills I brought to the work-term
2) Skills I gained from the work-term
3) Where I can go from here

These will help you focus on your future career opportunities.

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3.​STYLE AND PRESENTATION
The report should say exactly what you mean in clear, concise and unambiguous language. Your objective is to inform, rather than impress, the reader. Language should be simple and direct. Avoid unnecessary words and sentences. At the same time, do not be afraid to expand on certain ideas if you think that this will help to clarify them. The judicious use of illustrations, graphs and tables will help you to describe your work.

4.​STEPS TO CONSIDER WHEN WRITING THE REPORT
The steps listed below may be of help to you when writing your report:

a)​Prepare an outline.

b)​Write the “body” of the report in the form of a rough draft where ideas are the most important consideration. Do not be too worried about the way in which the ideas are expressed at this time.

c)​Revise what you have written, paying close attention to spelling, grammar, expression, logical sequence of topics and format.

d)​Have someone read and criticise your report.

e)​Proof-read the final version of your report.

g)​Submit your report in a professional format for grading by the instructor on (or before) Date to be determined. Note a late submission will result in marks being deducted.

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WORK-TERM REPORT REQUIREMENTS

The following conditions must be met if your work-term report is to be considered acceptable:

1.​LAY-OUT
The body of the report will consist of a minimum of 1000 words (4 typewritten pages, one side), double-spaced on standard 8.5″ x 11″ paper.

2.​FORMAT
PROPER REPORT WRITING FORMAT MUST BE FOLLOWED, title page, abstract or summary, table of contents, followed by an introduction to the body of the report. It is recommended that you refer to one of the textbooks on report writing which are available at most libraries.

3.​DUE DATE
It must be turned in to the work-term coordinator or to the instructor on the first day of your return to the College, for 6:30 p.m.

4.​PROOF READING
You should proof-read your report carefully before submitting it, not only to make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors, but also to make sure that the sentence structure is correct, the expression is clear, and the choice of words is appropriate.

5.​QUOTED MATERIALS
Material quoted from any printed source is to be identified by using quotation marks and footnotes. Failure to make proper acknowledgement of quoted information constitutes plagiarism, which is not only unethical but is an offence punishable by law.

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​REPORT TITLE
CENTRED & ALL-CAPITAL LETTERS)
​

​(Company & period of work-term)

​Submitted to:

​Name of Recipient
​Position
​College

​Prepared by:

​Student’s Name
​Program & Year

​Date Submitted

​ABSTRACT (or Summary)

Note: The abstract is not a description of how the report is set up; it is a summary of main points of all sections of the report, including conclusions drawn and recommendation made.

(It is to provide a quick summary of the information for those readers who do not have the time and/or the technical background to read the report in full.)

Also note pagination: Lower case Roman numerals for all pages preceding the body of the report*.
(Arabic numerals for the body.)

​ii*

​TABLE OF CONTENTS

​Page

Abstract (or Summary)​ii
I.​Introduction​1
II.​Heading​1
III.​Heading​2
A. Sub-heading​2
B. Sub-heading​2
C. Sub-heading​2
D. Sub-heading​2
(a) Sub-sub-heading​2
(b) Sub-sub-heading​2
IV.​Heading​3
V.​Conclusions​3
VI.​Recommendations​4
VII.​Bibliography​5
VIII.​Appendices​6

​iii

​REPORT TITLE

I.​INTRODUCTION

(To prepare reader for discussion, which follows: indicates purpose, scope and necessary background information.)

II.​HEADING

Table 1. Title

_____ _____ _____

_____ _____ _____

Note: For the report body, Arabic numerals are placed at the top right hand corner not followed by a period.

​1

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III.​HEADING

A.​Sub-heading

B.​Sub-heading

C.​Sub-heading

D.​Sub-heading

(a)​Sub-sub-heading

(b)​Sub-sub-heading

NOTE: Headings are NOT underlined, sub-headings and sub-sub-headings are. Headings are centred on the page; sub-headings are placed at the left of the page.

​2

IV.​HEADING

​3

V.​CONCLUSIONS

VI.​RECOMMENDATIONS

(Conclusions and recommendations are short; follow immediately after the discussion.)

​4

VII.​BIBLIOGRAPHY

​(List of reference documents)
1 author:
1. Author, book title, publisher, place of publication, year of publication, page number.

2 & + authors:
2. Author and Al., book title, publisher, place of publication, year of publication, page number.

Organisation etc.:
3. Organisation, book title, publisher, place of publication, year of publication, page number.