How to Write an Analytical Report
An analytical report takes a problem, idea or issue and breaks it down into its component parts to examine how the parts fit together. College students frequently are assigned analytical reports, and they are a part of the professional world as well. Good analytical reports require thorough research, critical thinking and the clear communication of ideas.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Identify the topic you will analyze and determine why this issue or problem is important.
-
2
Offer your own explanation of the problem. Consider how other writers, analysts or professionals in the field have explained the same phenomenon.
-
-
3
Consider rival explanations of the hypothesis you propose. Your analytical report will be stronger if you can show how your explanation fits the evidence better than these alternative hypotheses.
-
4
Assemble the evidence for and against the explanations you will consider in your report. All arguments for your explanation should be supported by empirical evidence. Depending on the subject of your report, your evidence will come from field research, written materials or other data resources.
-
5
Summarize the evidence you've gathered in your research and how it supports your explanation of the overall phenomenon. Examine your evidence carefully, comparing separate pieces and looking for similarities, differences and patterns.
-
6
Create an outline of your report.
-
7
Write the first draft. Include a clear conclusion that summarizes your explanation and how it is supported empirically.
-
8
Edit the draft and revise as needed.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Use technical "jargon" sparingly. Clear, understandable prose is the best way to convey your points.
Vary your sentence length. Use short sentences for main points and longer sentences to illustrate them.
Use bullet points and graphics where applicable to make your report visually appealing and help illustrate your argument.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit An image of man with books image by Mykola Velychko from Fotolia.com
More Like This
Comments
View all 11 Comments-
Easy-to-understand instructions....thanks ehow.com.
-
Its a very intelligence information.
-
Rob I might have to use your idea! Linda its pretty much whatever I want to research!
-
important think.......
-
The problem of the national deficit and how the inverse relationship of taxes to income can be a tool to maintain government services without increasing the debt ceiling.
