How to Write a Report on an Interview

Once you've gathered and analyzed the data from an interview, you need to do your report. The report must present a concise and objective explanation of the data that you've gathered and the conclusions and inferences you have drawn from that data.

Things You'll Need

• Data Paper or computer Graphs or diagrams

Instructions

1. Before you write your report, there are several things you must do. The first is to make an outline, emphasizing what the purpose of the report is and what you hope to accomplish with this report. Make a framework of your report so you will know what areas you will be focusing on, then you can put them in some sort of order.

2. After the outlining is done, the main body of the report and the appendixes should be written next. Start with the parts that are the easiest -- the sections that you feel most comfortable writing. This will help to build on your confidence so that the rest of your report doesn't seem too overwhelming. This will be added-to and tweaked as you go along, but make sure that your first draft isn't too rough -- the more polished your first draft, the better your final draft will be.

3. After you write the main body and the appendix, take some time before returning to improve them -- this will allow you to be more objective and see mistakes that you might otherwise have missed. Try to put yourself in your target audience's shoes as you read, looking at your tone and making sure that you are accomplishing your objectives. Now is the time to be your own worst critic.

4. Write the introduction. It should include everything you would like your readers to know before they read the report further -- but it should not include the entire report.

5. Write the recommendations and conclusions. Make sure the conclusions of your report have a logical basis in the findings and data in your report. Likewise, the recommendations should be based on your conclusions. Your audience should be able to see a logical progression of ideas -- from the findings to the recommendations and conclusions.

6. Write your summary last. The summary should clearly state the findings and opinions from your report. The main facts of your report, the recommendations and conclusions should all be reiterated here.

7. Get a second, third and fourth opinion. Before your report is submitted, it's best to have others look at it. Even if you've proofread it a million times, there will still be things that you may miss, which is why you need others to look at your report.

Tips & Warnings

• Start your writing well in advance -- people can spot a rush job.

References

• Journal Manuscript Format
• Reports: Papers and Worksheets
• Preparing a Report

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish