How To Write A Report Summary

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Things All Freshers Should Know About Writing at University

The biggest shock most new students report, when starting university, is the many different types of writing that are involved in completing a degree. While most universities and libraries will provide hand-outs on the different types when they are needed, it can be helpful to write practise reports, or at least know what you are expected to do for each type. Some basic summaries of which you will need to know on each type are below.

Book reviews or article critiques

An analytical or critical review of a book is not primarily a summary, rather it comments on and evaluates the work in light of specific issues and concerns in a course. Think of key questions and keep these in mind as you read, make notes and write the review. Some key questions include what the specific topic was, what overall purpose the text had, who it was written for, and if there is a specific thesis. Looking into the author’s background can provide interesting information about the books creation. A common method is to summarize content and then evaluate it; others comment and use a summary only to give examples. To keep focused, remind yourself that your report is primarily to discuss the books treatment of its topic, not the topic itself.

A literature review

This is usually part of the introduction to an essay, research report or thesis. A literature review is basically an account of what has been published on a certain topic by accredited scholars and researchers. However, it cannot just be a descriptive list. The review must be defined by a guiding concept, collect results into a summary or what is and is not known, identify areas of controversy and formulate questions that need further research. You need to demonstrate that you can seek information, and critically appraise it.

Academic proposals

The first step in producing a thesis. It is intended to convince a committee that your topic and approach are sound, so that you gain approval to start researching it. Your proposal should show your relationship to past work in the areas as well. Usually, they contain a rationale, a review, and an outline.

Short reports

Short reports are usually proposals, progress reports, trip reports, completion reports, investigation reports, feasibility studies or evaluation reports. These reports are written to communicate to an audience. Your audience will already be well informed, and will look for evidence that you understand the material and ideas you present. They usually contain a title page, a summary, an introduction, a background, a discussion, a conclusion, recommendations and attachments.

Exam essay

The most common form of writing for university is the exam essay. This is usually a two part process, writing an outline and a first draft. There is not enough time to do a full rewrite, so it is important that the first draft is as coherent and fact-packed as possible. Instructors are usually a lot more lenient on exam essays than other essays, but you must still develop a thesis and stick to it. Make sure you don’t simply regurgitate streams of information, as this does not show knowledge, just a good memory. Remember what the question has asked, and answer it. Consider why the question is being asked, whether you need more fact or opinion based response and what type of response you wish to write. Make sure you sum up in your conclusion, and proofread at the end.

Analysis writing

The last type of writing you are likely to need is analysis writing. This is also called interpretation through close reading, and is usually used to compare texts in English. When writing this type, your aim is to discover, refine and support your own interpretations, not to summarise or translate. Remember that when you analyse, you produce your own ideas and explain why it means what you are suggesting it means. Make sure you summarise what you say at the end, and leave time to re-read and check your writing is coherent after you’ve finished writing.

If you are a fresher at university, or are about to go to university this year, then this will be a good list to prepare yourself for your writing experience whilst at university.

About the Author

Nick Sanders is the owner and founder of Supaproofread.com, an online proofreading and editing services company, specialising in essay proofreading and editing services. You should visit them if you are looking for a essay proofreader.

JD Edwards Write report with level break or summary report


how to write a report summary
how to write a report summary
how to write a report summary