PROFESSIONAL GROWTH REPORT WRITING Information Technology Autumn 2014

PROFESSIONAL GROWTH REPORT WRITING Information Technology Autumn 2014 Elina Kiviranta

Differences between report and essay A Report An Essay Presents information Presents an argument Is meant to be scanned quickly by the reader Is meant to be read carefully Uses numbered headings and subheadings Uses minimal sub-headings, if any. May not need references and bibliography/reference list Always needs references and bibliography/reference list Uses short, concise paragraphs and dot-points where applicable Links ideas into cohesive paragraphs, rather than breaking them down into a list of dot-points Uses graphics wherever possible (tables, graphs, illustrations) Rarely uses graphics May need an abstract (sometimes called an executive summary) Will only need an abstract if it is very long, or if your lecturer asks for one specifically May be followed by recommendations and/or appendices Seldom has recommendations or appendices

What is a report? • A report is a statement of the results of an investigation or • of any matter on which definite information is required. • (Oxford English Dictionary) • A report is written for a clear purpose and to a particular audience. • Specific information and evidence are presented, analysed and applied to a particular problem or issue. • The information is presented in a clearly structured format making use of sections and headings so that the information is easy to locate and follow.

Report structure 1. Preliminaries Title page Abstract Contents 2. Main text Introduction Methodology Findings/Results Discussion Conclusion 3. End matter References Appendices

Report structure • Introduction • - gives the background • - explains the purpose, scope and methods used • - outlines the terms of reference • The body • - covers the work done and what you found. • - It’s divided into topics which are arranged in a logical order with headings • • • and sub-headings Conclusion - covers the writer’s judgement based on information in the body of the report. Appendices - contain evidence which supports the report but is not essential because it’s either too long or too technical for the audience. - References / Bibliography - includes all sources of information used in the report and often those used for background reading as well.

Including graphics and visuals • Tables and other illustrative figures, such as graphs diagrams and charts, should be included to assist with the clear presentation of data. They should enhance the written information, not simply repeat it or stand separate from it. • • Only place visuals within chapters if they assist the reader's understanding of the ideas being put forward. Detailed results, statistical analysis, transcripts and other details should be placed in an appendix. • • Illustrative figures should be placed next to the written information that it relates to. Where there's not enough space, figures should be placed on the opposite page. • • References to figures and the appendix are generally put in brackets, eg (see Appendix) because this information is of secondary importance. • • All figures and tables should have an informative title. • • They should also be numbered sequentially, eg. TABLE 1, TABLE 2 … DO NOT USE TOO MUCH GRAPHICS!

Report writing assignment + peer evaluation • Your task is to write a report on The cornerstones in the development of the internet OR Innovations in learning technology. Write a short report using report text model in Student. • • Include title page, contents page and bibliography. • • • • Length of the actual text min 3 max 5 pages. In your report: refer to three different sources that provide reliable information make it clear what is your own text and what is referred information pay attention to how you refer: paraphrase, summarize or use direct quotation mark the references in the text + in the bibliography Return your assignment in the Moodle one week before your peer evaluation day.

Report writing assignment + peer evaluation • When you have finished your report, change reports with a friend • You read and evaluate each other’s reports • Take notes on your evaluation • Choose an appointment for your peer evaluation • In the appointment, you present your evaluations • The peer evaluations will be graded passed / failed

Evaluation of reports • In your report, pay attention to • - structure: title page, contents page, text, bibliography • - organization: presenting ideas clearly and logically, and connecting paragraphs and sentences so that they show clear coherence and progression of ideas • - vocabulary: vocabulary is varied, accurate and appropriate • - language: variety in sentence structures, grammar