Saturday, April 26, 2008

Writing an essay or report

When a skyscraper is built we often only think of the construction above the ground. We see the building as it gets windows and walls and reaches up into the sky. Yet this is the last phase. Prior to the construction planning was undertaken, reports were written, engineers assessed and government approved. It is these preliminary steps that made the building what it is.

The same concept is true for writing. While we only see the finished product, it is the pre-planning that has made the essay or report.

To write well you need to do the following:
  • Develop the topic and break it down
  • Develop the report with key areas based on the topic
  • Break down the key areas further until you are at a level of one topic in each sub area
  • Make sure all the key areas of the report are covered - eg introduction, background, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, recommendations
  • Proof read and make sure you haven't got an information that isn't required (less is more).

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