Duration

One day

Suitable for

Anyone required to produce technical or semi-technical reports that need to be logical, structured and clearly understandable to both the specialist and the non-specialist.For those new to report writing or those who want a refresher or to establish a professional approach to business writing.

Objectives

By the end of the course you will be able to:

• Write technical reports that are clear, concise and effective
• Use a systematic approach to structure and layout
• Apply practical techniques to organise information
• Be confident in the use of plain English and good punctuation
• Use references, appendices, figures and graphics effectively

Programme

Introduction & Workshop Objectives

• What we are going to cover today.

Key Points

• Barriers to communication through the written word
• The importance of readability
• Personal style
• Getting the brief right
• Understanding readers
• The advantages of a systematic approach

Planning and Preparation

• Establishing the scope and purpose
• Constraints of time and money
• Confidentiality
• The collection, selection and arrangement of information

Structure and Sequence

• Sequencing and layout
• Tables, figures and appendices
• Dealing with abstracts and summaries
• The body of the report
• Conclusions and recommendations
• Using references and bibliography

Language use andPersonal Style

• A refresher on punctuation
• Using plain English
• Paragraph and sentence structure
• Clarity and brevity
• Identifying your ‘voice’ and personalclichés

Standards andConventions

• ‘House style’ and best practice
• The use of diagrams and tabulations
• Headings and labels.

Technical ReportWriting in Practice

• Developing a professional approach
• Building the technical report
• Reviewing and providing feedback

Checking forQuality

• Proofreading
• Layout analysis
• Revising and editing

The Way Forward

• Taking ideas back to the workplace and putting them into action

Duration (in days)