9.1 Report Writing - Citations, References and Appendices

1) APA (6th edition) Citation Style from TP Library
A wonderful resource from one of my favourite libraries! Gives clear examples on how to do in-text citations and present your references. Online tools and cheat sheets provided.

2) How to Write an Appendix
Great video on how to prepare your appendices:

8.1 Report Writing - Executive Summary

Practise, practise, practise

The following is a template of the Executive Summary based on the report on "Dover Polytechnic":

Executive Summary

This report investigates the reasons for______________________________ and recommends ways for _________________________________________. Areas covered include ______________,  ______________,   ___________ and  ______________.

Informal interviews, personal observations made during visits to the canteen, magazines and newspaper research, and a survey of 200 customers revealed that more students than staff use the canteen in the previous week. The majority of patrons  ______________________________. Most canteen users also found the quality of food to be mediocre or poor. The installation of new vending machines and the lack of sufficient healthy choices on the menu also contributed to the decline in the use of the canteen. The canteen also ______________________________.  Other contributing factors include ______________________________.

In conclusion, reasons for the drop in patronage of the canteen include ______________________________,  the new food court across the polytechnic and the new vending machines. The short operating hours of the canteen and ______________________________ further compounded the problem. Last but not least, the music played by the new juke box machine, the noise level and ______________________________ made the ambience of the canteen rather unbearable.

It is recommended that ______________________________.  Frequent changes made to the menu to include more healthy meals might also give patrons more choices. Another suggestion is ____________________________ to cater to the needs of staff wanting to have breakfast or an early lunch. To make the canteen more appealing to both staff and students alike, ______________________________ and more soothing music could be played by the juke box machine during peak hours. To solve the problem of the peak hour crowd, ______________________________. This may also help reduce noise level during peak hours.

7.1 Report Writing - Wrapping it up

Conclude and Recommend

1) Report Writing: Conclusion

A good summary of the key points of the Conclusion section. Includes an online exercise.

2) Report Writing: Recommendations

A grammar exercise related to the Recommendations section.

6.1 Report Writing - Using Visuals

Enhance data, not Replace

1) Communication Data in a Visual Way on Slideshare
A great summary of how to use different types of visuals like bar graphs, pie charts and line graphs.

Communicating Data In A Visual Way from Ciprian Rusen

2) Incorporating Visuals by James Dubinsky, Marie C. Paretti, Mark Armstrong
An informative website explaining how to use the various types of visuals aids.

5.1 Report Writing - Questionnaire

Resources

1) How to Write a Survey or Questionnaire - Video
An informative video on how to get started on your survey.

2) Designing a Survey - Web article
A very detailed article explaining the different types of questions with good and bad examples.

3) Using Google form to create your survey
Access the step-by-step guide on this page or start off with a video introduction:

4.1 Report Writing - Introduction

Identify problem, survey audience, offer solutions

Watch this extract from Super Size Me to start thinking of a problem that many people face around the world:

Start thinking about a problem that you see happening in your own context, that is, your school or your community.

What problems do you see?

Post your ideas in the comments below.

3.2 Paragraph Writing

Paragraph in a Burger

Parts of a Paragraph

Flickr: Enokson

Summarize the following article by writing one paragraph:

TodayOnline: 74% polled cite competition as key challenge

Post your paragraph below.

3.1 Paragraph Writing - Connectives

Only Connect

1) Interactive Game

Try this game to practise connecting words and phrases:

Connectives: Make a compound sentence game

Skillswise, BBC

2) Worksheet (with answers!)

Have a go at a quick exercise on connectives:

Choose the connectives

Skillswise, BBC

3) Colour-coded guide to connectives

A quick reference to connectives:

Linking Words

shortandsimpleenglish.tumblr.com, Johi Szőke

2.2 Message, Audience, Purpose - more!

Message, Audience, Purpose - Extra Practice

Read the following extract and identify the message, audience and purpose.

Talking to yourself might not mean you are crazy — it can actually benefit thinking and perception, researchers say.  People often talk to themselves — most do so at least every few days, and many report doing so on an hourly basis, scientists have said.  Although such muttering might seem irrational, past research has shown that self-directed speech can help guide children's behavior, with kids often taking themselves step-by-step through tasks such as tying their shoelaces, as if reminding themselves to focus on the job at hand. (Choi, 2012)

Reference

Choi, C. (April, 2012). Talking to yourself? Why you're not crazy. Live Science, Health. Retrieved from: http://www.livescience.com/19849-talk-improves-thinking.html

Post your response below.

Tips:

1) Possible Messages include: 

• Someone/something/an organization is doing something that is beneficial or detrimental to people/society.  E.g. The school is raising funds for needy students.

• A statement of something factual.  E.g. Eating fruits and vegetables will help you live longer.

2) Audience: don't give a general audience such as the public or people but specific groups of people.  E.g. students, working adults, library visitors, women

3) Purpose: Clearly states the intent of the author. Use terms such as persuade, educate and inform.  E.g. To educate students about the dangers of computer gaming.

2.1 Message, Audience, Purpose

Anti-smoking Ad Campaigns

Identify the Message, Audience and Purpose in each of the videos.

1) Anti-smoking Ad I



2) Anti-smoking Ad II



Post your responses below.

1.1 Business Writing

Extra resources on business writing

1) 12 Tips for Better Business Writing by Lifehack

2) Effective Business Writing on Slideshare

Effective Business Writing from Paimlu

Tips

1) Use the 2 Fs and 4 Cs to help you remember the features of business writing.

2) Be familiar with examples of business writing.

3) Use a mindmap to help you organize your thoughts.