Report Writing
This two-day report writing course mixes word-craft with information architecture. You will learn to crank out high-quality reports that are clear and pleasant to read. Topics include planning, researching, structuring, writing, editing and proofreading.
This course is available both live online and face-to-face.
Course outline
Produce reports that achieve their goals.
This module covers how to gather, synthesize, structure and organise information in the planning and preparation phase of report writing
- Stages and processes: investigating, planning, writing and revising
- Structures and formats: creating an outline
- Narrative, persuasive and logical frameworks
- Orienting readers: chunking, flagging and signposting
Clarity, precision and focus
This module covers the technical dimensions of disciplined and efficient writing.
- Cut out the fluff: clear, simple and effective writing
- Boil down to essentials: techniques for concise, focused writing
- Precision in language: correcting the most common language errors
- Editing: five practical techniques for correcting and improving copy
Writing for impact
This module covers the creative dimension of report writing: powering up your prose to create clear, bright and engaging copy.
- Techniques to power up your writing
- Adding depth, colour and humanity
- Workshops: verbs, voice and vocab
Reviewing and editing
This module covers how to check, correct and improve our own writing and others’ ready for final delivery.
- Principles and approaches to copy-editing
- Practical techniques to identify and correct errors
- Constructive rewriting
A structured approach
A step-by-step approach to focus on our terms of reference, reader, objective and content
- Research and preparation
- Deciding on relevant information to help the report achieve its purpose
- Structuring and sequencing that creates order and encourages the reader to read on
- Is my writing style professional and appropriate?
- Use vocabulary that helps understanding and gets results
Developing a persuasive tone to reinforce the argument
How sentences and paragraphs can give rhythm and pace to our writing
- Will my report get a positive response from my reader?
- How to edit and proofread effectively
Commonly recognised components of a report - Gaining an understanding of how a report is structured – beginning, middle and end
- Choosing the best format for your purpose
Who should attend?
This is an intermediate-level course designed for learners with existing knowledge and several years of experience in a professional role. Learning is pitched at a level to help you develop strategic approaches and apply sophisticated techniques. This course is recommended for all professionals who create reports and proposals of a strategic nature, including to persuade and inform high-level individuals.
What you will learn
After this course you will be able to:
- Prepare reports and proposals that inform, persuade, and provide information
- Review your work so that it is clear, concise, complete, and correct
- Confidently write reports that achieve results or objectives
- Follow a systematic approach to reduce the time it takes to write
- Structure the information to guide the reader logically through the text
- Adopt a ‘reader-friendly’ style that creates understanding and maintains interest
- Write persuasively using the relevant information and vocabulary to support your idea
Ensure that specialist and non-specialist readers will quickly read and understand your work - Edit your draft reports easily and constructively
- Use diagrams, tables and charts to support and enhance your text
Reviews
Meet your trainers
Following are some of the ISOC trainers who regularly lead this course, depending whether you join us in London, Dubai or live online.
Trainer profile: Izabela Hamilton
Izabela is a communications specialist and certified executive coach with more than 15 years' international experience in Europe, the United States and the Middle East. She managed the communications functions for prominent international brands including Jumeirah Group's flagship Burj Al Arab hotel, market intelligence group Euromonitor International, Incisive Media and Business Monitor International. Izabela's responsibilities and expertise include internal and external communication, crisis, events, media relations and coaching for public speaking. She delivers career and communication coaching for individuals and organisations of all sizes. She trains on many topics including soft skills, executive presence, communication strategy and reputation management.
Trainer profile: Felice Hawley
Felice is a versatile editor, writer and broadcaster with in-depth experience of economic and business news. During a 16-year career at CNN, she helped create and then produce the award-winning live business programme “World Business Today”. Moving to text, Felice became Managing Editor of Hoover’s Online Europe, responsible for a team of journalists. She later went on to launch several websites, intranets, extranets and microsites. She writes, edits and manages content for organisations including Transport for London and the NHS. Felice consulted on web and print materials ahead of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.
Trainer profile: Sarah Cocker
Sarah is a dynamic communicator with over 20 years’ experience in media, finance and business. Her international experience in banking, and as one of CNBC’s key anchors, makes her at ease dealing with leaders and experts from industry, government and academia. A skilled listener and coach, Sarah enjoys working with clients to help them define and achieve their objectives. Her coaching experience includes training blue-chip executives in public speaking and techniques for challenging television interviews. Her international career has given her an understanding of the cultural and working practices in the Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North and South America.
