Basic structure of a report

Reports vary significantly depending on their objectives. However, the basic structure is as shown below.

Title page

• The report’s title
• Title of the assignment
• Student’s name
• Student’s number
• Course code and title
• Date of Submission

Executive Summary

• Entails a brief outline of the report in its entirety

Table of Contents

• A list of the sections (both major and minor) of the report and their respective page numbers

Introduction

1. Setting the scene; giving some background information regarding the topic
2. Stating the purpose/aim of the report
3. Outlining the structure (what will be discussed in the report)

Discussion

• Main body of the report where the arguments are presented for recommendations
• The discussion is presented in a logically by use of headings and sub-headings that concisely breaks it up for clarity

Conclusion

• Brief summary of the report and judgment

Recommendations

• Explicitly stating what the recommendations are after the conclusion

List of References

• A complete list of ALL sources used in the report
• Use the appropriate referencing style as instructed
• All references listed MUST feature in-text (references not included in-text should not be included)
• The references should be alphabetically listed with clear spacing

Appendices (where appropriate)

• Entails all the information used in the report but not included in the body