Basic Steps to Writing a Report

Writing a report, essay or research paper is a challenging, sometimes frustrating task, that can be made more stressful by waiting until the night before the assignment is due to begin the actual writing. A late-night caffeine binge, scattered papers and slapped-together sentences are a sure way to give yourself not only a headache, but a lower grade as well. When writing a report, you need to do is block out the call of procrastination, and start early.

Research and Brainstorm

Whether the topic has been assigned or you have chosen it yourself, the first step in writing a report is research. Even though there is a vast wealth of information available to you on the Internet, nothing can top a trip to the library. Take notes on the most important facts about your topic. Continuously think about how you want to use the information to support it. Be creative and do not hesitate to add your own insights. It is not enough to simply regurgitate data.

Form a Thesis

Forming a thesis is a critical step in writing any report or research paper. A thesis is a specific statement about what you will talk about in the body of your report. The thesis needs to be supported by your research and should guide you throughout the writing process. Do not stray from your thesis. Think about the various ways you can explain and explore it. The thesis statement frequently appears as the last sentence in the first paragraph in the paper.

Make an Outline

Examine your thesis. Think about how you want to structure the points in your paper. Write these ideas down on a piece of paper, which will serve as your outline. It should consist of basic sentences that capture the essence of what each paragraph in the report will discuss. This is more or less an action plan that will help keep your writing concise and to the point.

Introduction, Body and Conclusion

You are now ready to begin writing the report. The first paragraph will serve as an introduction. This paragraph should introduce your reader to the topic in a creative, thought-provoking manner. It sets the stage for the whole paper and culminates with the thesis statement. After the introduction, you will delve into the body of your report. Each paragraph should begin with a main idea, or topic sentence, which supports your thesis, with every sentence thereafter used to explain the main idea. Use your research to support your claims. Finally, the last paragraph of the report will serve as a conclusion. This is a summary of all the information provided in the report or essay. It should be a logical extension of the points you made in your introduction and offer a creative restatement of your thesis.

Proofread and Edit

After you've finished writing the paper, wait a little while before going back to proofread. When editing, fix all typographical and grammatical errors while honing the language. Don't be afraid to rewrite an entire section if it seems that it strays from your thesis. Add any new ideas that have come to mind and let a friend or family member read it over. Oftentimes, a new set of eyes can discover mistakes that you've missed.

References

• Purdue University
• American University in Cairo
• Best Essay Tips