12 Reports

Reports are a common tool used in business and industry to convey information and making decisions. For these reasons, they are one of the most common types of writing in many workplaces, for example, a report may analyse the financial status of a company, a problem in a building project or equipment needed in a medical facility.

In academia and government settings, reports are also used to convey the latest findings or research to help make decision about policy or further research directions. You can find many examples online such as Royal Commission reports which examine things like bushfires, floods, epidemics, etc.

Unlike essays, where you’re expected to argue a position, when you write a report you’re generally required to define a situation or problem, analyse it, and make recommendations based on your analysis.

Reports contain distinct sections marked by headings, and often use a combination of paragraphs, bullet points, and visuals such as tables and images.

Most reports follow a similar structure to an essay with an introduction, body, conclusion, and reference list but contain additional elements to help step out the different aspects that are needed for analysis and decision making.

Some of these additional elements include a title page, table of contents, executive summary, recommendations, or appendices. Click on the headings below to understand different elements you may choose to include in a report.