REPORT FORMAT

• Cover Page – This includes the name of the author(s) and the date of report preparation.

• Table of Contents – This is the roadmap to your writing and includes the different headings, subheadings
and pages that they can be found on. Make sure to include the Appendix and Bibliography.

• Executive Summary – There needs to be a summary of the major points, conclusions, and
recommendations. It needs to be short as it is a general overview of the report. Some people will read
the summary and only skim the report, so make sure you include all the relevant information. It would
be best to write this last so you will include everything, even the points that might be added at the last
minute. Page numbering begins here (p.3) See next page on how to insert numbers.

• Introduction – The first page of the report needs to have an introduction. You will explain the problem
and show the reader why the report is being made. You need to give a definition of terms if you do not
include these in the title section and explain how the details of the report are arranged.

• Findings – This is the main section of the report. There needs to be several sections, with each having a
subheading. Information is usually arranged in order of importance with the most relevant information
coming first. This is where your methods, findings, research, and results are. Keep it brief and to the
point. Ask yourself, “does what I am writing meaningfully contribute to the report?”

• Conclusion – This is where everything comes together. Keep this section free of jargon as most people
will read the Summary and Conclusion.

• Recommendations – This is what needs to be done. In plain English, explain your recommendations,
putting them in order of priority. This is the only place in the report where We is used.

• Bibliography- Make sure to follow APA format.

• Appendices – This includes information that the experts in the field will read. It has all the technical
details that support your conclusions. Put non-essential attachments such as charts and graphs that don’t
need to be in the body of the report here, as well as your vocabulary list.

Formatting:
The report must be double spaced, left and right justified, 2cm all around.
Use sans serif fonts such as Times New Roman, Georgia, Palatino, Calibri and Century.
Include page numbers but not on Cover page or Table of contents. See below for some advice.

Language:
DO NOT use I or we. Use the passive voice. Do not use contractions in formal writing (don’t, mustn’t, can’t).
This is a formal report, so make sure your language is appropriate.

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Some advice on inserting page numbers into a report:

If you do not wish to add page numbering on the first page, select the Different First Page check box.
Check box on the Header & Footer Tools tab, which comes up when the header and footer of the document
are active. For more information on headers and footers, check around on the internet.

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