Criteria For Good Academic Report Writing English Language Essay

Criteria For Good Academic Report Writing English Language EssayThe following interaction shows a pattern of key factors to consider when constructing a written piece of track down. Following these points will hopefully develop your writing style and help you complicate every issue in your cross.Contents and structure of a report2.1 Contents and structure of a reporthttp//labspace.open.ac.uk/pix/spacer.gifPhotograph showing a close up the subjects page in a report.http//labspace.open.ac.uk/pix/spacer.gif2.1.1 Title pageThis should accommodate the designation, date and author of the report as easy as the person for whom it has been produced.It may include additional indata formattingion such as refer numbers, sub-headings and so on.2.1.2 Summary ( withal kn substantiate got as an abstract)This is an overview of the whole report, including the expiration or recommendations. It would normally be genius paragraph languish and regards to be very concise.Ask yourselfWhy woul d your employer be interested in this question?What are the most important aspects of the research?What should a reader be sure to know about the research?What information will the reader need to adopt in set to understand the most important aspects?What are the main points from each section of your report?Summarize each section in one sentence, if possible.2.1.3 List of contentsThis is a joust of the chapters or sections of the report in the same sequence as they appear. Section numbers and the page on which they start should also be bouncen.You will section a report more than an essay. For example you may begin withSection title Report design1.1 The background information1.2 The purpose of the study1.3 The scope of the study2.1.4 IntroductionThe Introduction will include the background to the report.2. Contents and structure of a report2.2 Body of the report survey findings and conclusionsHeadings within a report are not standard and they will be dictated by the nature and c ontent of the report.The headings and content of the report should be in a logical order. This may be chronological order, items in order of importance or even peradventure alphabetical order.It is important to note here that if you asked a lot of questions you may not be able to include all the statistical data that you have produced. In this case place your statistical data in your appendix and use only the graphs and charts that are the most relevant to your findings.2.2.1 ConclusionsThis is the critical set out of a report where the author looks back over the evidence, reaches a judgment and looks forward to the recommendations.Before writing this section you need to take another look atConsidering your objective, did your survey help you to answer your original question?How did our survey help you?Were you right to think you needed to make changes?2.2.2 RecommendationsRecommendations should be kept separate from your conclusions so that it is clear what is being suggested. Ca re should be taken not to overlap this section with the conclusions. This can be a bullet point section, although it is advisable to number each recommendation so that each recommendation can be easily identified and recognised in future discussions.Recommendations might includeThe new-made methods you would like to introduce into your salon to improve the way you work.The points that you would present to your employer and other colleagues.2.2.3 AppendicesThis is where bulky raw data, diagrams, tables and other technical information should be included. The appendices can also includeA bibliographyA copy of the survey (questionnaire)A copy of any interview questions and the answers given2.2.4 Further TipsOther tips which may help you take after in writing an effective report are1 Think before you write This may sound strange, but make sure you give yourself a plan of action. What do you need to do, how are you going to achieve it etc.2 Be clear what your purpose is Through evaluati ng what the question wants, you should be clear on what it is asking of you. Identify what information you want to convey.3 Discard everything irrelevant Do not include sections of writing which you dont think gybe into the issue you are analysing.4 Arrange the material in a logical sequence See the stages above.5 Structure longer reports with sections If you find that one discussion topic in your report is becoming overly long, then try to think of sub-headings which you would use to split it up and make it more readable.6 Use a layout which helps the reader If a tutor is marking your work, then it may be necessary to include a specific font and letter size which makes it easier to read.7 Choose right words for meaning and reader Do not fill it with long / difficult words in an undertake to make it look more intellectual. Use formal language.8 Seek higher standards through self-criticism and practice.And finally9 READ THROUGH YOUR REPORT AND sort ANY MISTAKES.c Citation and refe rencing3.1 Citation and referencingWhen writing a report you will have to use various academic texts (e.g. business planning, SWOT, PEST, SMART targets, foster Chain Analysis, motivation etc). These will contain theories that will help to explain your work.It is only fair that your use of another persons work or ideas to support your own work is appropriately credited to the original author. The process of referencing enables you to demonstrate to anyone reading your work, the breadth of research you have undertaken before producing your report and your familiarity with the subject without giving long explanations.People who read your work and find it interesting may want to know more about the subject. Your elongation list is a sizeable reservoir of information that readers can use to guide their initial search.Citation and referencing3.2 PlagiarismPlagiarism is the barrier used to describe the use of another authors work in your own report (either intentionally or unintention ally) without acknowledging that it is not your own, or giving the other author the credit for it.If you are careful and keep a good record of where you found information from there will be no problem in effectively referencing the source of any information or ideas you have found and the possibility of being accused of plagiarism can easily be avoided. Try to note down on paper every oneness issuing and reference that you use when writing a report.It is important to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of a subject by showing that you can work with other peoples ideas whilst developing your own, but you must avoid simply reproducing other peoples work in effect copying or stealing their ideas.Methods of referencing4.1 The Harvard Systemhttp//labspace.open.ac.uk/pix/spacer.gifPhotograph showing a library with shelves of checks.http//labspace.open.ac.uk/pix/spacer.gifThe main method of citation used for referencing focuses on what we call The Harvard SystemThe Harvard Syst em is the most super acid method of citation and referencing. However, in some areas, alternative systems can be used so it is a good idea to always check the requirements of your report.4.1.2 Citing authors in the textExample 1In this system you write the author/originators name and the year of publication of the document in brackets after each reference in the text.The research shows ( bicyclist 1961, p.5)Example 2If the authors name occurs naturally in the text then only the year of publication is given in brackets. bicyclist (1961, p.7) illustrates in his studyExample 3If two or more documents have the same author in the same year then they should be distinguished by lower case letters after the year of publication.Wheeler (1961a, p.5) describes this process in his study. In a second paper Wheeler (1961b, p.8) goes on further to explainExample 4If there are 2 or up to 3 authors, the surname of all must be given.Wheeler, Smith and Jones (1993, p.15) have proposed thatExample 5If there are more than three authors the surname of the first author is given followed by et al (Latin term meaning and others)Wheeler et al. (1997, p. 3) believesExample 6If there is no author then Anon should be used to indicate that the source is unknown.A recent word (Anon. 2001) states thatExample 7If a reference is to a newspaper where no author is given the name of the newspaper can be used.The fissiparous (1999) states that4.1.3 Secondary sourcesIf you refer to a source quoted in another source you should cite both in the text.Example 8A study by Wheeler (1995 cited in Wood 1998, p.42) argues thatYou should only list Wood in your list of references, as this is the book/article you have actually read.Methods of referencing4.2 electronic ResourcesWhen citing Electronic Resources in the text please note The use of the URL within the body of the text is not usually acceptable. It should only be listed in the reference list.As yet there is no universally accepted standard for ci ting electronic sources. It is advisable to include in your references the date you accessed the information.4.2.1 E-bookAuthor/s or Editor/s (Surname (comma) followed by initials) (full stop) division of publication (i.e. year of print version, or year of electronic version if there is one)Title (either in bold, italics or underlined) (full stop)Edition (if not the first)Electronic book supplierOnline (full stop) on hand(predicate) at Specify URL (Internet address)Date of access (brackets) (full stop)Example E-bookDavis, B. (2000) Caring for people in pain. Netlibrary Online. Available at http//www.netlibrary.com/Reader (Accessed 6 January 2004).4.2.2 E-journalTo reference from an e-journal use the following formatAuthor/s (Surname (comma) followed by initials) (full stop)Year of publication (in brackets)Title of article (comma)Title of journal (either in bold, italics or underlined) (comma)Volume numberIssue number (in brackets) (comma)Page number or online equivalentName of elect ronic accruementOnline (full stop)Available at Specify URL (Internet address)Date of access (brackets) (full stop)Example E-journalOrkerson, A. (1991) The electronic journal what, whence and when? Public Access Computer Systems Review, 2 (1), pp. 23-24 EBSCO Online. Available at http//info.lib.uh.edu/pr/v2/n1/okerson.2nl (Accessed 6 June 2002).4.2.3 Website or Internet DatabaseWhen you need to reference a whole website, use the formatAuthor, Editor or Publishing arrangementYear (in brackets)Website title (bold, italics or underlined ) (full stop)Online (full stop)Available at Specify URL (Internet address)Date of access (brackets) (full stop)Example WebsiteHistoric Houses Association. (2005) Historic Houses Association. Online. Available at http//www.hha.org.uk (Accessed 6 April 2005).When referencing web pages or extracts from a database, use the formatAuthor/editor or Publishing OrganisationYear (in brackets)Title of extract (comma)Title of database (bold, italics or underlined)O nline (full stop)Available at Specify URL (Internet address)Date of access (brackets) (full stop)Example Web PagesDarnell, M.J. (2002) Opening the file drawer, Bad Human Factors Designs Online. Available at http//www.baddesigns.com/file.html (Accessed 6 April 2005).ReferencingIn the Harvard system the corresponding references to citations in the text are arranged at the end of a piece of work in alphabetical order of authors surname, subdivided if necessary by year and letter.4.3.1 How to reference a bookAuthor/s editor/s (Surname (comma) followed by initials) (full stop)Year of publication (in brackets)Title of book (either bold, italics or underlined) (full stop)Edition (if not the first)Place of publication (colon)Publisher (full stop)Add series number and volume number if appropriateOne AuthorHayes, N. (1998) Psychology an introduction. 3rd edn. Harlow Longman. two AuthorsWinter, J. Sivan, E. (eds.) (2000) War and remembrance in the Twentieth Century. Cambridge Cambridge Univer sity Press.Three AuthorsThwaites, A., Davis, L. Mules, W. (1995) Tools for cultural studies an introduction. South Melbourne Macmillan Education Australia.Multiple AuthorsRaven, P.H., Johnson, G.B., Losos, J.B. Singer, S. R. (2005) Biology. 7th edn. Boston McGraw-Hill.Please note it is common acceptance, especially in scientific papers, to quote all authors in the reference list. However, this is not universal and an alternative, which is sometimes used when there are more than 3 authors, is to list the 1st author followed by et al. Please check your report requirements.4.3.2 Chapter within a bookAuthor/s of chapter or section (Surname (comma) followed by initials) (full stop)Year of publication (in brackets)Title of chapter/section (comma)Use the word InAuthor/Editor of book/ poised work (Surname (comma) followed by initials) (full stop)Title of the book/collected work (either bold, italics or underlined).Edition (if not the first)Place of publication (colon)Publisher (comma)Page numbers of chapter (full stop)Example 1Merridale, C. (2000) War, death and remembrance in Soviet Russia, In Winter, J. Sivan, E. (eds.) War and remembrance in the Twentieth Century. Cambridge Cambridge University Press, pp. 61-83.4.3.3 How to reference a journal articleAuthor/s of article (Surname (comma) followed by initials) (full stop)Year of publication (in brackets)Title of article (comma)Title of journal (either bold, italics or underlined) (comma)Volume numberPart/issue number (in brackets) (comma)Page number/s (full stop)Example diary ArticleBourget, D. (2004) Quantum leaps in the philosophy of the mind, Journal of Consciousness Studies, 11(12), pp. 17-42.Example Journal Article, multiple authorsMilner, L.M., Herrmann, M., Girand, K., Baker, M.S. Hiser, R.F. (2003) International sport fishing the case of the German angler in Alaska, Tourism Analysis, 8(1), pp. 89-94.4.3.4 Referencing a newspaper articleReferencing a newspaper article is similar to referencing a journal e xcept omit volume number and part/issue number and state the day and month of publication.Example NewspaperHiscott, G. (2005) Salt level in food overtakes poisoning as main bear on of shoppers, The Independent, 17 March, p.8.4.4.1 Theses or DissertationWhen referencing a theses or a dissertation, use the same method as a book reference but include the level of the award (e.g. B.A., BSc., M.A.) and the name of the awarding Institution.Example 1Gayfer, J. (1993) Controlling wall thickness of extruded polythene pipe. BEng dissertation. University of Derby.4.4.2 ConferencingWhen referencing from a conference follow this formatOrganising/sponsoring make-upNumber (if appropriate)Year (in brackets)Title (in bold, italics or underlined)Location of conferenceDate of conferencePlace of publication (colon)Publisher (full stop)Example 1World health Organisation (1978) Primary health care report of the International Conference on Primary Health Care. Alma-Ata USSR, 6-12 September 1978. Genev a W.H.O.4.4.3 Audio-visual materialTypically, putting the title as the first element of the reference is preferred but if an individual has clear responsibility for the intellectual content then they should be given as the originator.Title (bold, italics, underlined)Year (date of distribution)(brackets)Originator (director preferred)Videocassette (full stop)Place of distribution (colon)Organisation (full stop)Example 1The Prince of tides (1997) Directed by Barbara Streisand Videocassette. London ITV.4.4.4 MapsWhen referencing from an ordnance survey map, use the formatOriginator state Ordnance SurveyYear of publication (in brackets)Title of map (bold, italics or underlined ) (comma)Sheet number (comma)Scale of map (e.g. 1 50 000) (full stop)Place of publication (colon)Publisher (full stop)Series (in brackets) (full stop)