How to Write Effective Reports

This workshop teaches you how to plan, write, and revise effective reports. What makes an effective report?—one that decision makers can use to choose options, set policies, allocate funds, solve problems, capitalize on opportunities, and implement plans. But when reports are poorly structured, biased, difficult to read, or misleading, decision making can suffer—with potentially harmful consequences for organizations and careers. This workshop explains how to write and publish reports that improve decision making and generate results.

You’ll learn to apply the steps in the report-writing process and to convey the right information in the right way for your readers. You will also learn to avoid common report-writing problems that can cloud and weaken your messages.

Topics
Audience
Instructor

Following the five steps to producing effective reports
Knowing your readers and meeting their information needs
Planning and outlining your reports
Choosing from one of nine report structures
Helping readers find information and navigate your reports
Selecting the appropriate amount of detail—how much is too much?
Anticipating responses
Writing the various parts of reports: summaries, introductions, bodies, conclusions, and recommendations
Getting to the main point quickly
Interpreting your data
Persuading your readers
Illustrating your report
Designing page layouts
Reviewing and editing reports

Anyone who needs to write clear and objective reports for decision makers
Business, government, or technical professionals who want to effectively communicate the results of studies, evaluations, investigations, or analyses

Graham Young, MBA, is an independent writer, editor, and consultant with more than 30 years’ experience in business and government communications. He has delivered some 600 business writing and presentation skills workshops since 2000 and taught Business English at the University of Ottawa. His lively, informative professional-development workshops instruct participants how to communicate effectively on the job. In addition to his teaching experience, Graham also has a Teachers and Trainers of Adults certificate.

“The class was great! I really enjoyed it and I take away new ideas on how to write effective reports.”