Report Writing
N. Adams
Ideas For Getting
Started On A Document
What do you want to say in
your document?
- Get an overall sketch of your proposed document.
It can be a list, an outline, a visual map, etc.
- What's the scope of your message? The details?
Why are you writing this document?
- What is its purpose? State the purpose of
your document in a direct and concise sentence. You can elaborate
later.
- What do you want your readers to know or
do?
Who is going to read this document?
- How do you picture the reader/s?
- What kind of job do they perform?
- Educational background? Interests?
- Does audience understand English? Are they
culturally diverse? Gender?
- Does your language or manner offend anyone?
- How much does your audience already know
about the information you are planning to give them?
- Why would they want to read your document?
- What's their attitude toward you (or your
company)?
- What action do you intend for your audience
to take?
How can you best get your ideas across
to your readers?
- Have you avoided excessively long sentences
and paragraphs?
- Have you organized your message effectively
(Thesis statement at beginning, topic sentences starting paragraphs,
effective paragraph order, etc.)?
- Is your language appropriate? Are there any
jargon terms in your message? Will your readers understand technical
terms or should you use laypersons' terms?
- What tone do you want to express (formal,
impersonal, informal, personal, etc.)?
- Does your document convey a professional
attitude? Have you edited and proofread carefully?
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