General Report Format

Guidelines for Report Writing
All individual assignments need to be uploaded to Canvas
Items to watch for in preparation of papers

1. Spell out numbers below 21, e.g., twelve men used 2-channel radios.
2. Space between a () and the words near it, e.g., lines (such as) are
3. Break long paragraphs into small paragraphs.
4. Place section headings to break up papers, e.g., Introduction, Background, Summary
5. Use quotes (") to quote someone, not to make up a word.
6. Use the word also sparingly.
7. Write with formal wording, don't use casual language.
8. Start the paper with an introduction of the organization interviewed, then go into the details of
IS and IT.
9. Acknowledge the person interviewed as a footnote to the Title. Reference Internet URLs like
articles.
10. Put the title of the topic, your name, and date on the top of the first text page. Provide a half-
page executive summary as the second page. Number all pages of the manuscript.
Your goal in writing a paper in this class is the same as if you were writing one to be published in
a journal of good quality or to be read by an executive in your organization. You want to convey
important information to the reader, to persuade him/her to your point of view. You may be reporting
facts or opinions, but you must ground them in the works of others, your experience, of your knowledge.
The most important aspect of your paper is subject content. Given that, you must attend to details
of layout, format, and style. When you have all of these together, you should have an interesting paper
that the reader will want to read. Neglect any part and you punish yourself and your reader.
Content is putting enough, and the appropriate words, in the paper to adequately, but concisely,
explain your point. You must do this first, last, and always. I seek content rich papers, reports that
convey a lot of information in a small amount of words, with good flow and style.
References give your paper strength. If you anchor what you say in the published work of others,
the reader see how your thoughts are not just your own but relate to others.
Layout is what the paper looks like to the eye. First it must be clean. Next, it must appeal to
your visual senses.
Format is the font you use, margins, bibliography, etc. When possible, use a laser printer, with a
10 or 11 point, proportional, serif font. Times New Roman, the font used for this paper, is such a font.
Single space the text used in your report. You should have 3/4" to 1" left and right margins and 1/2" to
3/4" top and bottom margins. Be sure to include page numbers and your name in the footer. The header
and footer should be just one line.
Use section headings and put them in bold type, even large bold type. Put just one line above
and below section headings. Underline to show emphasis. Use quote (") marks sparingly--try to not use
them to emphasize words the reader will already know. Do not put the paper in a plastic binder; only
staple it in the upper left corner. Colored or textured paper is nice, but totally unnecessary.
Style is how you write. You should write at a ninth grade level for clarity. Try to not use gender
specific wording, colloquial phrases that don't fit the situation, and long, run-on sentences. Use active
voice in preference to passive voice. At a minimum, use spell check on your paper. Use Grammar
check it if at all possible. If you do not feel comfortable about your writing style, have a colleague
review your paper.
Glitz - This is your tendency to add cute _ stuff. Your paper should be of a quality that you
would be pleased to give it to your company president. Clarity and neatness count, not glitz. (See
Format).
Format to use for Long reports:

Flow & Format
Title - Be concise and informative

Executive Summary- < 50 words
Table of Contents - Reminds you major points
Introduction - Set the stage, gives background
Main topic heading - Divide paper with headings
Sub-topic heading
Sub-topic heading
Main topic heading
Sub-topic heading
Conclusions & Implications - What are the main points?
References
Format to use for Short reports:

Flow & Format
Title - Be concise and informative

Introduction Paragraph - Set the stage, gives background
Main topic heading 1 - Divide paper with headings
Topic explanation paragraphs
Main topic heading 2, 3, 4, …
Topic explanation paragraphs
Conclusions & Implications Paragraph - What are the main points?
References

General Report Format

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General Report Format

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Guidelines for Report Writing

All individual assignments need to be uploaded to Canvas

Items to watch for in preparation of papers

Format to use for Long reports:

Title - Be concise and informative

Format to use for Short reports:

Title - Be concise and informative

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