1. Introduction: Professional Writing and the Writing Process
1.1 Self Assessment Task
1.2 What is Professional Writing?
1.3 Why is it Important to Write Well?
1.4 What Makes Writing Effective?
1.5 Writing Sends a Message
1.5.1 Task
Discussion
1.6 The Writing Process
1.6.1 Analysis
1.6.2 Planning
1.6.3 Drafting
1.6.4 Editing
1.7 Endnote
2. Setting Objectives and Selecting Data Gathering Methods
2.1 Setting Research Objectives
2.2 The Four Levels of Evaluation
2.2.1 The Four Levels and the Logical Framework
2.3 Specific Issues for Evaluation Reports
2.3.1 Some More Terms Explained in Detail
2.4 Field Reporting / Monitoring
2.5 Approaching Reporting as a Process
2.6 Ways of Gathering Information
2.6.1 Survey
2.6.2 Interview
2.6.3 Desk Study
2.6.4 Observation
2.6.5 Focus Group Discussion
2.6.6 Case Study
2.7 Choosing Your Methods
2.7.1 Evaluations
2.7.2 Progress Reports
2.7.3 Assessments based on Terms of Reference
2.7.4 General Principles
2.8 Extended Task
2.8.1 Suggested Solution
2.9 Endnote
3. Analysing and Interpreting Information
3.1 Review your Objectives
3.2 Analysing Quantitative Data
3.2.1 Task
3.2.2 Discussion
3.3 Some Final Considerations
3.4 Analysis of ‘Qualitative’ Data
3.5 The Three Steps of Analysis
3.5.1 Extended Task
3.5.2 Step One: Read through all the Information
Extended Task
Possible Solution
Discussion
3.5.3 Step Two: Clustering
3.5.4 Widespread or Serious? Dimensions of a Problem
3.5.5 Interim Summary
3.5.6 Mind Mapping
Extended Task
3.5.7 Quantitative to Qualitative
3.5.8 Step Three: Identify Patterns, Associations and Relationships
Extended Task
3.6 Endnote
4. Planning the Report
4.1 SPR Analysis
4.1.1 Extended Task
4.2 Reader Profiling
4.2.1 Possible Solution to SPR and Reader Profiling
4.3 The Report Structure
4.3.1 Task A
4.3.2 Possible Solution
4.3.3 Task B
4.4 Using the Mind Map to Plan the Report
4.5 Endnote
5. Writing Skills: Clarity
5.1 Task
5.2 Task Questions
5.3 Measuring Clarity
5.3.1 The Fog Index
The Rule of ‘15’
One Final Use of the Fog Index
5.4 Improving Clarity
5.5 How to Reduce Sentence Length and Improve Clarity
5.5.1 Functions of Language
5.5.2 Tool 1: Reduce Unnecessary Words
5.5.3 Discussion: Formal and Informal Language
5.5.4 Tool 2: Get Rid of Meaningless Phrases
5.5.5 Tool 3: Easy on the Spices!
5.5.6 Tool 4: Avoid Nominalisations
5.5.7 Task
5.5.8 Tool 5: Prefer Active Verbs
5.5.9 Task
5.6 Endnote
6. Writing Skills: Organising your Ideas
6.1 Inductive vs. Deductive Reasoning
6.1.1 The Pyramid
Task
6.2 Presenting Your Ideas Logically
6.2.1 Chronology / Sequence
6.2.2 Location
6.2.3 Order of Importance
6.2.4 General to Specific (Deductive) / Specific to General (Inductive)
6.3 Writing Effective Paragraphs
6.3.1 The Topic Sentence
6.4 Interim Summary
6.5 Practical: Writing the Topic Sentence
6.5.1 Task A
6.5.2 Possible Solution
6.5.3 Task B
6.5.4 Possible Solution
6.5.5 Task C
6.5.6 Possible Solution
6.5.7 Using Topic Sentences for Summarising and to Aid Speed Reading
6.6 Linking the Parts Together
6.7 Endnote
7. Putting it all Together
7.1 Review Task
7.2 Possible Solution
7.3 Drafting the Report
7.4 The Title
7.5 The Introduction
7.5.1 The Purpose Statement
7.5.2 Background
Creating Linkages
7.5.3 Methods and Limitations
7.5.4 Structure
7.5.5 Example
7.6 Drafting the Main Body / Findings
7.7 Visual Walk-through
7.8 Signposting
7.9 Writing Conclusions
7.10 Writing Recommendations
7.10.1 Possible Solution
7.11 Complete Draft Report
7.12 Endnote
8. Finishing off the Report
8.1 Drafting the Summary
8.2 The Appendix
8.3 An Effective Cover Page
8.4 Style and Language
8.4.1 Why is a Good Style Important?
8.4.2 What is a Good Style?
8.4.3 Simple Tools to Improve Style
8.4.4 Using Words Effectively
8.5 The Editing Process
8.5.1 First Edit: Objectives
8.5.2 Second Edit: Organisation
8.5.3 Third Edit: Complete, Correct, Concise and Clear?
8.5.4 Fourth Edit: Language
8.5.5 Fifth Edit: Style
8.5.6 Sixth Edit: Accuracy and Proofreading
8.6 Design and Layout
8.6.1 Font Size and Type
8.6.2 White Space and Text Alignment
8.6.3 Graphs, Charts and Tables
8.6.4 Pictures
8.6.5 Placing Visuals
8.6.6 Using Text Boxes
8.7 Extended Task
8.8 Initial Edit
8.9 Final Edit plus Layout
8.10 Endnote
8.11 Review of Key Points
8.12 Final Report Example
About
Title
The Reporting Skills & Professional Writing Handbook
Subject
Development Communication
Company
Education, Language and Development Training Programmes
Author
Neil Kendrick
Version
2nd Edition (2008)
Comments
Not for unauthorised resale, redistribution or rehire. Licensed version available from ELD.