STRUCTURE OF REPORTS REPORT SECTIONS

Reports are often written to examine a problem and to offer ways of solving it. For
this reason, a report typically describes the current situation and examines the
problem; then identifies potential solutions to the problem; and finally recommends
a course of action.
The potential solutions are often presented and discussed in the summary and
conclusions section, while your preferred course of action is included in the
recommendations section of the report.
Sections in a report
There can be eight sections in a report, although some are optional, depending on
the length and scope of the report. The eight sections are:
1. Title, or title page
2. Contents list or table of contents
3. Abstract
4. Introduction
5. Body of report
6. Summary and conclusions
7. Recommendations
8. Appendices
The order of the sections can vary. For example you can place both the summary
and conclusions and the recommendations sections before the main body of the
report.
Executive summary
This can be prepared and distributed instead of the whole report. An executive
summary contains the summary and conclusions and the recommendations
sections. The main advantage of the executive summary is that it saves time and
paper. It provides the main information and people can ask to see the whole report
if they want further information.
Section by section
Title or title page
Longer reports have a title page containing the title (and perhaps the objective) of
the report; the author and the date.
Shorter reports (two or three-page reports) may only have the title and the
objective.

Contents list or table of contents

A contents list acts like an index and contains all the headings and subheadings in
the report with the page references. You only need a contents list in longer reports.
Abstract
The abstract is a summary of the entire report. Abstracts are only used with
technical or scientific reports. They often appear in journals of abstracts and must
therefore contain the essential information.
Introduction
The introduction gives the reader the background to the report. It can include the
reason for the report, what the report includes or doesn't include (the scope and
limitations of the report), where and how the information was obtained (the
methods and procedures) and any acknowledgments of help.
Body of report
The body of the report is the main part and often the longest part of the report. In
this part you give all the details of the work and structure them under headings and
subheadings.
Summary and conclusions
This section sums up the purpose of the report and the conclusions. In this section
you can outline any potential solutions. This section can lead on to your
recommendations.
Recommendations
If you have more than one recommendation (or proposal), you should number them.
Appendices
This section includes any extra information, such as bibliographies, or in-depth
charts and tables from the main body of the report.