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
- Setting the scene; giving some background information regarding the topic
- Stating the purpose/aim of the report
- 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
