8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
1/20
How to WriteAn Academic Report
Nurul Hamiruddin Salleh, PhD
Some of this contents from Tomas Maul
8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
2/20
2
Structure
Front matters (Report Cover)
Title course
Semester & Session
Title of study
Name of Author(s)
Date
8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
3/20
3
Structure
Front matters
Acknowledgements: Who helped?
Table of Contents & Page No
- Introduction
- Contents / Chapters
- Conclusions
- References
List of Tables
List of Figures
8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
4/20
4
Structure
Body of the report
Introduction: What did you study?
Study Findings: What did you find?
Conclusions: What should be remembered?
End matters
References: Whose work was referred to?
Recommended: Harvard referring system
http://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm
Appendices: Extra information
http://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htmhttp://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
5/20
5
Acknowledgements
Thank all who have directly contributed to the
work
Thank any sponsoring organisation Thank any lecturer/ tutor/ reviewer/
proofreader
8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
6/20
6
Introduction
Provides background information
- Objective of study
- Scope of study
- Duration of study
- Methods of study e.g. literature review, etc.
8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
7/20
7
Study Findings
Purely objective
Only facts No opinions or interpretations!
Text Provides clarifying information
Guides readers through tables and figures
Appropriate font size Standardised font style
8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
8/20
8
Figures
Figures
Put caption BELOWthe figure
Number the figures sequentially
Include the figure immediately after the firstreference to it in the text (unless page layoutdoes not permit)
8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
9/20
9
Figure 1.1: Map of Malaysia(Source: Google, 2009)
8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
10/20
10
Figure 2.3: The National Heritage plaque (Left) and the Heritage
plaque (Right)
(a) (b)
Figure 4.2: Examples of architectural style in Malaysia: A traditional
Malay architecture of the Kuala Kangsar Royal Museum (a), The
Portuguese architecture of a Farmosa in Melaka (b)
8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
11/20
11
Tables
Tables
Label all columns
Put caption ABOVEthe table
Number the tables sequentially
Include the table immediately after the first
reference to it in the text (unless page layout
does not permit)
8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
12/20
12
Year Events
1976 The establishment of the Antiquities Act (Act 168).
1983 The Malaysia Heritage Trust (BWM) was established.
1988 was accepted to the UNESCOsWorld Heritage Convention on the 7 thof December 1988.
1980s- 1990sRestoration of Gedung Raja Abdullah, Istana Tengku Long, saving the demolition of Majestic,
restoring Central Market into a cultural market.
2006On the 1stof March 2006, the National Heritage Act (Act 645) came into force and the Department
of National Heritage was established.
2007 50 objects were declared as National Heritage on the 6thof July 2007.
2008Melaka and George Town were jointly listed as a World Heritage Site known as Melaka and
George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malaccaon the 7thof July 2008.
2009 173 objects were declared as National Heritage on the 14thof February 2009.
Table 4.3: Important events in the cultural heritage conservation of Malaysia
(Source: Tourism Malaysia (http://www.tourism.gov.my), 2009)
http://www.tourism.gov.my/http://www.tourism.gov.my/8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
13/20
13
Style
Paragraph
One idea per paragraph
Min. 3 sentences per paragraph
First sentence of paragraph is main idea
Rest of paragraph defines the idea
Use short sentences
Tense Passive
Avoid use of pronouns (I, we, you, )
8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
14/20
14
Style
Numbering
Number all pages
Number all headings
Hierarchical numbering of headings
Spacing-e.g.1/ 1.5 / 2 spacing
Use formal and impersonal language
Use a consistent style
8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
15/20
15
Conclusions
What do you want the reader to remember?
Summary of study
Should be self-contained (no references) Typically 2-3 paragraphs (1 idea per
paragraph)
8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
16/20
16
References
All statements, ideas, figures, tables of others should be
referenced
Cite current AND recent publications
Reference only the works that you have actually read Should be clear enough for the reader to locate it
Format Harvard referencing system e.g.
http://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm
http://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htmhttp://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
17/20
17
References
Refereed journals are better than conference papers
Conference papers are better than Web sites
Try to avoid Web sites
They are not reviewed
They are transient
try to locate similar information in regular literature
Encyclopedias, textbooks, lab sheets are poor
references
Wikipedia is not accepted academically
Review articles are particularly valuable
8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
18/20
18
Appendices
Additional material that is only meant fortechnical reading
Non-essential to comprehension
Further clarify report
Each appendix should contain differentdata/information
Appendices should be referred to in the text
8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
19/20
19
General recommendations
Be as briefas possible
Removeunnecessary words, sentences,
paragraphs
Proofreadand let it be proofread
A good report should demonstratecomprehension, not just state facts
8/11/2019 How to write Report.pptx
20/20
20
General recommendations
The main purpose is to convey information
Dont try to entertain
Good presentation is less important than sound
technical content
Follow the imposed format right from the
beginning
Recommended