how to do assignment report

A Comprehensive Guide to Effective Report Writing for Assignment

Table of Contents

• Introduction

In both academic and professional spheres, mastering the skill of compiling clear and organized information is essential. Whether you’re a student tackling a report assignment or a professional addressing a work task, understanding how to write a report is fundamental.

This article is a practical guide to help you navigate the process of creating effective reports. We’ll break down the “ how to write a report ” challenge into manageable steps, equipping you with the know-how to excel in your report assignments.

How to Write a Report for an Assignment

Report assignment is a key skill that combines both clarity and knowledge sharing. When you’re tasked with an assignment that requires a report, you’re essentially being allowed to present your understanding in a structured way. A strong report reflects your grasp of the topic and showcases your ability to explain intricate ideas clearly. This guide aims to simplify creating such reports by providing essential steps and practical strategies. So, let’s begin unraveling the art of writing on how to write a report.

Step 1: Preparing for Report Writing

Writing report assignments requires meticulous preparation, setting the stage for a compelling and coherent document. You can seamlessly initiate your report-writing endeavor by adhering to these fundamental steps.

How to start a report:

• Read the assignment instructions carefully. Ensure you understand the report’s purpose, the audience, and the length requirements. You develop the scientific skill of how to write a report in a cohesive manner.
• Choose a topic that is relevant to the assignment and that interests you. The topic should be specific enough to be manageable but broad enough for in-depth research.
• Do some preliminary research to gather background information on the topic. This will help you develop your report’s thesis statement or statement of purpose.
• The topic of the report
• The purpose of the report
• The main points that will be covered in the report

See Also : Medical Research Topics

How to write a report

• Organize your thoughts and research. Create an outline or mind map to help you structure your report.
• Write clear and concise sentences. Avoid jargon and acronyms.
• Use evidence to support your claims. Cite your sources properly.
• Proofread your work carefully. Make sure there are no errors in grammar or spelling.

Here is a sample report outline that you can use:

• Background information
• Thesis statement or statement of purpose
• The main points of the report
• Evidence to support each point
• Summary of the main points
• Recommendations or implications

Step 2: Planning and Structuring Your Report

Once you know how to start a report , the next step involves meticulous planning and structuring. Adhering to these critical aspects ensures that your report unfolds coherently and engagingly, effectively conveying your insights.

Understanding the Essential Components: The Building Blocks of a Report

A well-structured report comprises several key components that collectively convey a comprehensive understanding of your topic:

• Title: The title succinctly encapsulates the essence of your report, giving readers an initial glimpse into its focus.
• Abstract: This summary provides an overview of your report’s objectives, methods, findings, and conclusions. It serves as a teaser, enabling readers to quickly grasp the report’s essence.
• Introduction: The introduction introduces your topic, explains its significance, and outlines the objectives. It’s like opening the door to your report, inviting readers to delve further.
• Methodology: This section details your methods and approaches to gather and analyze data. It’s like revealing the tools you used for your journey.
• Findings: Present your observations and results here. Share your discoveries and data in a clear and organized manner.
• Discussion: Analyze and interpret your findings in the context of your objectives. It’s like discussing the landscapes you explored on your journey.
• Conclusion: Sum up your report by restating the main points and explaining their significance. Provide closure and leave readers with a clear understanding of your insights.
• References: Acknowledge the sources you consulted for your report. It’s like giving credit to fellow explorers who guided your journey.

Creating an Outline

Before you dive into writing, create an outline that arranges your ideas logically. Think of it as a map that guides you through your report. Each section should flow seamlessly into the next, ensuring a coherent narrative.

Determining Length and Depth

Decide on the appropriate length for each section. Just like packing for a journey, ensure each part contains enough information without overwhelming the reader. Strike a balance between providing sufficient depth and keeping the report concise.

Crafting Your Structured Report

As you set out to create your report, remember that a well-structured document ensures clarity and ease of understanding. With a solid plan, you can confidently articulate your insights, making your report an informative and captivating journey for your readers.

Step 3: Research and Data Collection

As you navigate through your report assignment , the phase of research and data collection emerges as a vital expedition. By mastering these techniques, you can infuse your report with well-informed insights and credible information.

Employing Effective Information-Gathering Methods

To gather information effectively, consider an array of methods that match your report’s needs:

• Books and Scholarly Articles: These sources offer in-depth knowledge and well-researched perspectives, like guidebooks for your journey.
• Online Resources: Websites, databases, and online journals provide quick access to a wide range of information. They are like digital compasses, guiding your exploration.
• Surveys and Interviews: If applicable, conduct surveys or interviews to collect firsthand data and opinions. These are like interactive discussions on your journey.
• Observation and Experiments: For scientific reports, direct observation or experiments can yield valuable data, akin to exploratory adventures.

Assessing Source Credibility and Relevance

Just as you’d verify the reliability of a travel guide, evaluate the credibility and relevance of your sources. Ask:

• Is the author an expert in the field?
• Is the source published by a reputable organization?
• Does the information align with other reliable sources?

Taking Methodical Notes

Organize your research by taking structured notes. Jot down key points, quotes, and references. This is like creating a journal to document your findings along the journey.

Crafting Your Research and Data Collection

Approach research and data collection with the same diligence you’d apply to planning an expedition. Every source you use will help you understand something better. By carefully evaluating credibility, applying a variety of techniques, and documenting your findings, you can make sure that the report’s foundation is strong, thoroughly researched, and capable of readers’ comprehension.

Step 4: Writing a Report

As you navigate further into your report assignment , writing becomes paramount. By skillfully presenting your findings, you can construct a report that captivates and enlightens your audience. So now look at the question, “ How do you write a report ?”

Engaging Introduction

Commence your report with an engaging introduction akin to the opening chapter of an intriguing book. Captivate your readers by providing context and elucidating the importance of your chosen topic. This introduction serves as a waypoint, guiding your readers on the journey you are about to take them on.

Defining Purpose, Objectives, and Scope

Clearly outline the purpose, objectives, and scope of your report. Think of this step as sketching the map of your voyage. Enlighten your readers about your intentions and what you aim to achieve with your exploration.

Explaining Your Methodology

Elaborate on the methodology employed to gather data and conduct your research. This is akin to revealing the tools and techniques you’ve packed for your journey. Explain how you gathered information, conducted surveys, conducted interviews, or performed experiments, and explain why you chose these methods.

Step 5: Creating a Strong Discussion and Conclusion

The discussion and conclusion sections of your report are where you bring your findings to life by providing context, analysis, and insights that help your readers understand the significance of your work. Let’s delve into each aspect in more detail:

Discussing the Implications of Your Findings and Their Significance

You should articulate the broader implications of your findings. Consider the following questions as you craft this part of your report:

• How do your findings contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the field?
• What practical applications can be derived from your results?
• How might your findings influence decision-making, policies, or practices in relevant industries or domains?
• Are there any societal, economic, or environmental implications to consider?

By addressing these questions, you highlight the real-world relevance of your research. For instance, if you conducted a study on the impact of a specific teaching method on student performance, you might discuss how your findings could guide educational strategies and improve learning outcomes.

Connecting Your Findings to Existing Theories or Literature

This is where you position your work within the existing academic landscape. Consider how your findings align with or diverge from established theories or previous research. Reference relevant studies, experiments, or concepts that support or contrast with your results.

For instance, if your research investigated the effects of climate change on a specific ecosystem, you could discuss how your findings corroborate or challenge existing models of ecological impact. This demonstrates your engagement with the scholarly discourse and your ability to contribute to ongoing academic conversations.

Step 6: Editing and Proofreading

Editing and proofreading are the meticulous stages where your report transforms from a draft into a polished work. These phases involve fine-tuning your content, addressing language errors, and ensuring consistent formatting. Here’s a closer look at how to enhance your report through careful editing and proofreading:

Reviewing for Clarity, Coherence, and Consistency

Maintaining clarity, coherence, and consistency is crucial for effective communication. To achieve this:

• Paragraph Flow and Structure: Ensure that each paragraph transitions smoothly to the next, maintaining a logical flow of ideas. Each paragraph should focus on a single point or theme to avoid confusion.
• Headings and Subheadings: Verify that your headings and subheadings accurately reflect the content of each section. Consistent formatting of headings aids in guiding readers through your report.
• Language and Terminology: Strive for precise language that conveys your ideas. Avoid overly complex terms or jargon that might alienate readers who are less familiar with the subject matter.
• Explanation of Concepts: Remember that your readers may have varying levels of familiarity with your topic. Make sure to provide sufficient explanations for any specialized terms or concepts.

Checking for Grammatical, Spelling, and Punctuation Errors

Typos and grammatical errors can undermine your report’s credibility. Here are specific examples of common errors to watch out for:

• Subject-Verb Agreement: Incorrect: “The data are collected”. Correct: “The data is collected”.
• Run-On Sentences: “The experiment was successful; we gathered valuable data”.
• Comma Splices: “The results are intriguing; they challenge existing theories”.
• Misplaced Apostrophes: “The student’s goals are clear”.

Efficient Proofreading Strategies

To catch errors more effectively, employ proofreading strategies such as:

• Reading Backward: Start at the end of your report and read each sentence backward. This disrupts the natural flow, helping you focus on individual words rather than the content’s coherence.
• Changing Mediums: Print or read your report on a different device. A format change can help you spot errors you might have overlooked on-screen.
• Taking Breaks: Don’t proofread all in one go. Taking breaks between editing sessions allows you to approach your work with fresh eyes, increasing the chances of catching mistakes.

Importance of Consistent Formatting

Consistency in formatting enhances the professional appearance of your report. Ensure uniformity in:

• Font Styles and Sizes: Maintain a consistent font style and size throughout your report, including headings, subheadings, and body text.
• Heading Formatting: Use a consistent hierarchy of headings and subheadings. For instance, if you use bold and italics for main headings, maintain this formatting consistently.
• Tables, Figures, and Captions: Ensure that tables, figures, and captions follow the same formatting guidelines. Captions should be consistently placed above or below the corresponding table or figure.

Formatting Citations and References

Incorporate citations and references according to your chosen citation style (APA, MLA, or Chicago):

• In-Text Citations: Check that in-text citations follow the correct format. For example, in APA style, they should include the author’s last name and the publication year (Smith, 2022).
• Reference List: Verify that your reference list includes all the sources cited in your report, formatted accurately according to the chosen style.

Step 7: Citations and References

Citations and references are the foundation of academic integrity and the backbone of credible research. Properly citing your sources prevents plagiarism and allows readers to trace the origins of your information and verify your claims. Here’s an in-depth exploration of the key aspects related to citations and references:

Understanding the Importance of Proper Citation to Avoid Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a serious academic offense that can have severe consequences. It involves presenting someone else’s ideas, words, or work as your own without giving them proper credit. Citing sources serves several crucial purposes:

• Giving Credit: Proper citation acknowledges the intellectual contributions of others and demonstrates respect for their work.
• Supporting Your Claims: Citations lend credibility to your arguments by showing that you’ve consulted reputable sources.
• Avoiding Misrepresentation: Accurate citation ensures you accurately represent the ideas and findings of others, preventing misinterpretation.
• Building Scholarly Conversations: You engage in ongoing academic discussions and contribute to the scholarly community by citing previous research.

Following the Guidelines of the Chosen Citation Style Consistently

Different disciplines and institutions prefer specific citation styles, such as APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), or Chicago. Consistency within a chosen style is essential:

• In-Text Citations: Follow the correct format for in-text citations, including the author’s name, publication year, and page number, if applicable.
• Reference List or Bibliography: Compile a comprehensive list of all your cited sources. Organize them alphabetically according to the author’s last name (or title if no author is available).
• Formatting Details: Pay attention to formatting details such as italics, capitalization, punctuation, and indentation. These seemingly minor details contribute to the overall professionalism of your report.

Compiling a List of References Used in the Report

Creating a well-structured reference list is a critical part of your report. Here’s how to do it:

• Book References: Format citations with the author’s last name, initials, publication year, title (in italics or underlined), and publisher.
• Journal Article References: Include the author’s last name, initials, publication year, article title, journal title (in italics), volume number, issue number (in parentheses), page range, and DOI if available.
• Online Resources: Include the author’s name, publication year, title, website name, URL, and access date. Be sure to verify the reliability of online sources before citing them.

Step 8: Review and Revision

Reviewing and revising your report is the final stage of crafting a polished and impactful document. This step involves carefully evaluating your work, making necessary improvements to content and structure, and seeking external feedback to ensure your report is of the highest quality.

Taking a Break Before the Final Review to Gain a Fresh Perspective

After spending considerable time writing and editing, taking a break before your final review can be incredibly beneficial. This break allows you to distance yourself from the report, giving your mind time to reset. When you return to your work with fresh eyes, you’re more likely to notice areas that need improvement, errors you might have missed, or opportunities to enhance clarity.

Revisiting Your Report for Further Refinement in Terms of Content and Structure

During this phase, carefully re-read your report, focusing on content and structure. Consider the following:

• Content: Are all the sections well-developed and aligned with the report’s objectives? Are there any points that need further explanation or examples?
• Flow and Logic: Examine the flow of ideas from one section to another. Do your paragraphs and sections logically build on each other? Are there any gaps in your argumentation?
• Conciseness: Can you express any points more succinctly without losing clarity? Eliminate redundant information and unnecessary repetition.

Seeking Feedback from Peers, Mentors, or Instructors

External feedback is invaluable for identifying areas of improvement that you might not have noticed on your own. Reach out to peers, mentors, or instructors and ask for constructive feedback on your report. They can provide insights into clarity, coherence, and overall effectiveness.

When seeking feedback

• Be Open to Critique: Embrace feedback as an opportunity to enhance

You have started a journey in how to do a report assignment from start to finish.

As you write your report’s conclusion, it is crucial to consider the key insights and lessons that the report-writing process has to offer.

As you finalize your report, remember these pointers you must remember:

• Seek Learning Opportunities Attend workshops, webinars, and courses that delve into the nuances of effective report writing.
• Explore Diverse Formats Experiment with different types of report assignments , such as research reports, analytical reports, or case study reports, to expand your writing versatility.
• Read Widely Engage with a variety of reports and academic papers to observe different writing styles, strategies, and presentation methods.

In a nutshell, the nuances of how you write a report  is a dynamic process that challenges and empowers you to convey information with precision, credibility, and impact. Every report you write is not just an assignment; it’s a journey of growth and an investment in your own development as a proficient and articulate communicator.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. how do i handle appendices in a report.

Appendices are supplementary materials that provide additional information without cluttering the main text. Include them at the end of your report, numbered and labeled (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B). Each appendix should be referred to in the main text (e.g., “See Appendix A for survey questions”).

2. What’s the difference between a bibliography and a reference list?

A bibliography includes all sources you consulted during your research, even if they are not directly cited in the report. A reference list, on the other hand, includes only the sources you cited in your report.

3. How do I cite sources from social media or online platforms?

Citing social media sources requires including the author’s name, username, publication date, and the full URL of the post. Be sure to follow the citation style guidelines for electronic sources.

4. What’s the best way to incorporate visuals like charts and graphs?

Visuals like charts and graphs are great for presenting data. Make sure they are clear, labeled, and directly related to the content. Include a caption that explains the visual’s significance, and refer to it in the text.

5. Is it necessary to include an abstract for every report?

Abstracts provide a concise summary of your report’s key points. While they are common in academic and scientific reports, their inclusion might vary depending on the assignment guidelines or purpose of the report.

6. How do I handle acronyms and abbreviations in a report?

When using an acronym or abbreviation for the first time, spell out the full term, followed by the acronym in parentheses. Thereafter, you can use the acronym or abbreviation alone.

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How to Write a Report (2023 Guide & Free Templates)

You have a report due in a few days, but you’re still procrastinating like a pro.

Sounds familiar?

If you’ve been staring at a blank page, wondering how to write a report the best way possible, you’re not alone. For many, writing a report, especially for the first time, can feel like rolling a giant boulder uphill.

The good news is that from a first draft to creating reports that people love to read is a skill you can develop and polish over time.

Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone who wants to up their report-writing game, keep reading for a 2023 guide and step-by-step instructions on how to write a report. Plus, learn about the basic report format.

You’ll also get access to report templates that you can edit and customize immediately and learn about a tool to make reports online (no need to download software!). You can also jump right into customizing templates by creating a free account .

What is report writing?

Report writing is a way of communicating information, data, insight, or analysis. It’s an essential skill that will come in handy in various settings, from academic research or diving into historical events to business meetings.

But creating a report can be a bit intimidating at first.

In its simplest form, report writing starts with researching and gathering all the information, analyzing your findings, and presenting it in a way that’s easy for your audience to understand.

Sounds easy enough, right? 

Well, there’s a bit more to it than that. We’ll guide you through every step of the process to write an entire report from a rough draft and data in the next section. 

But first, let’s get to know the different types of reports.

Types of reports

Reports come in all shapes and sizes, and the type of report you write will depend on your specific goals and audience. Each type of report has its unique purpose, format, and style.

The most common types of reports are: 

• Academic report – These include school reports, book reports, thesis reports, or analytical reports between two opposing ideas.
• Business report – Business reports range from annual reports to SWOT analyses . The goal of business reports is to communicate ideas, information, or insights in a business setting.
• Research report –  Research reports are often more scientific or methodological in nature. They can take the form of case studies or research papers. 

Learn more : 20 Types of Reports and When to Use Them (Plus Templates)

How to write a report without feeling overwhelmed

Breaking down the report writing process into three stages can make it much more manageable for you, especially if it’s your first time to create one. 

These three stages are: 

• Pre-writing stage
• Writing stage
• Post-writing stage

Let’s take a look at the steps for each stage and how to write a good report in 2023 that you can be proud of.

Stage 1: Pre-writing 

The pre-writing stage is all about preparation. Take some time to gather your thoughts and organize your main idea. Write a summary first.

Here are important steps to help you deal with the overwhelm of creating an insightful report. 

Understand the purpose of your report

Knowing your purpose will help you focus and stay on track throughout the process. Dig into the why of your report through these questions:

• Who is your intended reader? Are you familiar with your audience’s language and how they think?
• What are you trying to achieve with your report? Are you trying to inform, persuade, or recommend a course of action to the reader? 

Research your topic

It’s time to gather as much information as you can about your topic. This might involve reading books, articles, and other reports. You might also need to conduct interviews with subject matter experts.

Pro tip on how to write a report : Pick reputable sources like research papers, recently-published books, and case studies by trustworthy authors. 

Make a report outline

An outline is a roadmap for your report. It covers your title, introduction, thesis statement, main points, and conclusion. Organizing your thoughts this way will help you keep focus and ensure you cover all the necessary information.

While you can create a report without creating an outline, you could write a better report with an outline. An outline helps you organize your facts and important points on paper. 

Stage 2: Writing

Once you have completed the pre-writing stage, it’s time to write your report. 

Follow the proper report writing format

You will feel a lot of resistance at this point because this is where most of the tedious work of report writing happens. However, the process can be a breeze if you follow a proper structure and report writing format.

The structure of your report can vary depending on the type of report you’re creating, but the report writing format below can serve as a guide for anyone.

• Title page. This is the first page of your report and should include the report’s title, the author’s name, the date of presentation or submission, and any other relevant information, such as your name or the organization’s name.
• Table of Contents (TOC ). This section contains subsections of your report and their corresponding page numbering.  A well-written TOC will help readers navigate your report easily and find the information they need.
• Brief summary . This part provides an overview of the report’s particular purpose, subject, methodology, key findings, and recommendations. This section is often called the executive summary in corporate reports.
• Introduction . The introduction should provide background information about the topic and explain why the report was written. It should also state the aims and objectives of your report and give an overview of the methodology used to gather and analyze the data. Make sure you include a powerful topic sentence.
• Main body. The main body of the report should be divided into subsections, each dealing with a specific aspect of the topic. These sections should be clearly labeled and organized in a logical order. In most reports, this is also the part where you explain and present your findings, analysis, and recommendations.
• Conclusion. Summarize the main points of your report and provide a final summary, thought, or suggestions. Review your thesis statement. The conclusion also includes any limitations of the study and areas for further research or future action.
• References . This section should include a list of all the sources cited in the report, like books, journal articles, websites, and any other sources used to gather information on your subject.
• Appendices . In the appendices section, you should include any additional information relevant to the report but not in the article’s main body. This might consist of raw data, event details, graphs, charts, or tables.

With all these key report elements, your readers can look forward to an informative, well-organized, and easy-to-read report.

Pro tips: Remember to use clear and concise language in your essay. It is also required to follow a specific type of formatting set by your organization or instructor.

Plus, use the active voice when you can because it helps improve clarity. To write a report essay in a passive voice makes it sound less concise.

Reports should usually be written in the third person.

Edit and proofread the article

Once you have completed your first essay draft, take some time to edit and proofread your work. Look for spelling mistakes and grammar errors, as well as any areas where the flow of your article could be improved. Review your topic sentence.

If hiring a professional editor isn’t possible, have a colleague or someone else read your rough draft and provide feedback. You can also use tools like Grammarly and the Hemingway App . 

Stage 3: Post-writing

You’re almost there! This stage is about finalizing your report and ensuring it is ready to be shared. 

Format your report

Ensure your report is formatted correctly, with clear and easy-to-read fonts, headings, and subheadings.

Incorporate visuals

Adding visuals to your report article is another great way to help your audience understand complex information more easily.

From charts to illustrations, the right visual can help highlight and explain key points, events, trends, and patterns in your data, making it easier for the reader to interpret the information.

Want to check out more templates? Get access to the template gallery today .

However, it’s important to use visuals sparingly and ensure they are relevant and effectively support the texts. You will learn more about effectively incorporating visuals into your report as you scroll down below to the next sections. 

Share your report

Once your report is complete, share it with your audience. This might involve submitting it to your boss, presenting it to a group, or sharing it online.

A final note for this section: Remember to take your time, stay organized, and most importantly, have fun! Writing a report can be a rewarding experience, especially if you get positive feedback when you present.

How to add visuals to your report

Adding visuals to your report is more than just putting a graph or chart for every piece of information.

There are no hard and fast rules but use the pointers below as guidelines:

• Each visual in your report should have a purpose. Don’t just add a pie chart or bar graph for the sake of adding one. Your visual of choice should offer clarity to readers that’s impossible to achieve with words alone. Piktochart’s report maker lets you search for free stock images and illustrations to add to any page with drag and drop.
• Add captions, legends, or arrows to your visuals when possible. For more technical reports, graphics are either Tables or Figures. Number them in order of appearance (Figure 1, Figure 2, Table 1, etc.) and give each a descriptive title.
• Place the visual close to the relevant text on the page.
• Document the source of the visual, citing it in both the caption and references section if necessary.
• Make the graphic stand out with colors, borders, boxes, spacing, and frames.

Learn more : How to Improve Your Data Visualization Design in 6 Steps 

Write reports like a pro with Piktochart’s easy-to-edit report templates

Creating reports from scratch can be time-consuming. The great news is you don’t have to make reports from scratch like how it used to be in the 90s and early 2000s. Organizations of all shapes and sizes now understand that you can also create the perfect report with the help of templates.

For example, Piktochart offers a variety of fully customizable templates, allowing you to easily add your branding, colors, and text within the online editor. You can visualize your thesis statement and first draft in less than an hour. It’s also possible to start writing directly in the tool, adding graphics page by page.

These templates range from reports for school presentations to sales reports. By editing them, you can create professional-looking reports without the hassle of formatting and design.

Here are some examples of Piktochart’s professionally-designed templates. If you can’t pick one that matches your report writing format and needs, create a free Piktochart account to get access to more templates. 

Survey report template 

This survey report template includes clear visualizations, making your report findings easier to understand. From customer surveys to employee satisfaction reports, this template is quite versatile. 

Research report template 

This research report template is perfect for anyone looking to create a thorough and professional research report. The template includes all the necessary sections to help you easily organize your research and present your findings in a concise document.

Corporate report template 

Looking for a corporate report template example with an editable table of contents and foreword? This template is the perfect fit!

Whether you’re presenting to investors or sharing information with your team, this corporate report template will help you create a polished and informative executive summary for any corporate organization.

Case study report template

Whether you’re conducting a business case study or an academic case study, this case study report template can help you earn your readers’ trust. This template is specifically designed with fashion as its main theme, but you can edit the photos and details to make it more on-brand with your niche.

Marketing report template

Use this template to create comprehensive marketing reports. The template includes editable sections for social media, data from search engines, email marketing, and paid ads. 

Financial report template 

With this customizable finance report template, you don’t need to make a financial report from scratch. Once you’ve written your content, save your report in PDF or PNG formats.

Annual report template 

This annual report template is the right template for creating a professional and informative executive summary of your organization’s performance over the past year. This template was designed for HR annual reports, but you can also repurpose it for other types of yearly reports. 

See more report templates by creating a free Piktochart account . 

Quick checklist for better report writing

Before you submit or present your report, use the quick checklist below to help ensure that your report is well-structured, accurate, clear, and properly cited. Most of all, you must ensure that your report meets your audience’s expectations and has all the information and details they need. 

Purpose and audience

• Does the report address its purpose and meet the needs of the intended audience?

Structure and organization

• Is the material appropriately arranged in sections?
• Have irrelevant details been removed?

Accuracy and analysis

• Has all the material been checked for accuracy?
• Are graphs and tables clearly labeled? Check the page numbers too.
• Is the data in graphs or tables analyzed and explained in words?
• Does the discussion or conclusion show how the results relate to the objectives mentioned in the introduction?
• Have the results been compared with existing research from the literature survey?

Writing style and clarity

• Is the report written in a tone that’s indicated in the brand style guide (for corporate reports)? Does it avoid colloquialisms or contractions? 
• Does it follow the organization’s specific guidelines for writing style? 
• Is it jargon-free and clearly written? Have you translated technical terms into simpler words?
• Use the active voice when you can because it helps improve clarity. A written report in a passive voice may make it sound less concise. 

Acknowledgment and citation

• Have all ideas and event data taken from or inspired by someone else’s work been acknowledged with a reference?
• Have all illustrations and figures taken from someone else’s work been cited correctly?

Proofreading

• Has the report been carefully proofread for typos, spelling errors, and grammatical mistakes?

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What Is a Report?

How should you structure a report, how to write a report: 7 steps to follow, in conclusion.

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So, you’re tasked with writing a report. While it may seem like a cakewalk, it’s anything but. It requires strong research, analysis, and academic writing skills.

That said, don’t let this assignment intimidate you. With a good guide and some practice, you can ace this assignment. In any case, you can always count on our online assignment writing service to help you with any request.

While it’s up to you to develop your report-writing skills, we can help you out with this comprehensive guide on how to write a report. Below you’ll find everything you need to craft an A-worthy report yourself:

• What a report is and how it’s different from other assignments;
• A typical structure for this type of paper;
• A step-by-step guide on writing one from scratch.

The purpose of a report is to recapitulate factual knowledge on a specific topic, usually without giving your opinion on it. That’s what sets it apart from essays, where you have to include your standpoint on the topic.

Academic reports come in many flavors. The most common of them include:

• Informational reports focus on explaining a particular topic through facts in an organized, impersonal, and objective way.
• Case studies describe a particular event, person, organization, or phenomenon that serves as an example for a wider research problem.
• Book reports summarize a work of fiction or non-fiction and sometimes contain an evaluation part.
• History reports describe a historical event or period, its causes, and consequences, all while relying on facts.
• Research reports focus on the research conducted by the author, from the methodology to the study’s undergoing and conclusions.

Most reports have to include these nine elements:

• Title page . It should contain your name, class or course, instructor’s name, the educational establishment’s name, and the paper’s title.
• Executive summary . Think of it as an abstract for your work – it sums up your paper in one paragraph.
• Table of contents . Typically used for long reports, it helps readers quickly find this or that section of the paper.
• Glossary . If your work includes abbreviations, symbols, or niche terms, you can decipher them in this section.
• Introduction . This paragraph is where you present your topic and give some background information that your readers should be aware of. You should also clearly formulate your thesis statement and describe how you’ll approach your topic.
• Main body . The longest part of the paper, the main body, is the part where you describe all the facts you’ve discovered during research.
• Conclusion . It’s the part where you sum up all the information you presented in the main body. You may also express your interpretation or opinion here (if allowed).
• References . This is the list of all sources you cite in the paper, formatted according to the style you have to use.
• Appendices . It’s the section with all graphs, tables with data, or illustrations you referenced in the main body.

Typically, you should also include the following elements throughout your paper:

• Page numbering;
• Headings and subheadings;

Keep in mind: this is a general structure. Before you use it, consult your assignment and see if any instructions there contradict it.

Plus, some elements are defined by the format of writing assignment you’re required to use. For example, the title page is obligatory for APA papers, while it’s optional for Chicago and MLA formats. Page numbering and citation requirements will also differ across styles.

So, you’ve received your assignment, and you’re ready to start working on it. How should you approach it? Follow these seven steps toward a five-star report.

1. Choose Your Topic

If it hasn’t been assigned to you already, you need to choose the topic of your report yourself. Be mindful: your choice can make or break the quality of your paper. For example, if you pick a topic that’s too niche or complex, you may not have enough reliable sources to include in the paper.

But what makes a topic good for writing a report? Here are three questions to ask yourself:

• Is there enough information on this topic?
• Does it spark interest in you?
• Is it original and specific enough?

If you get “yes” for all three questions, this topic can be a good pick for your assignment.

2. Do Your Research

Now that you have your topic, it’s time to gather all the sources for your work. Here are a few tips on doing research for this and any other academic paper:

• Check out similar reports or papers – you can use sources provided there, too;
• Take notes for every source you may use later on – you can even start creating an outline right away;
• Keep in mind that you may have obligatory sources to include – don’t overlook them;
• Stick to reliable sources only: research papers, official documents, reputable organizations and institutions specializing in the topic, case studies, etc.;
• When searching online, filter out results by the top-level domain (.edu for educational establishments, for example) and prioritize using Google Scholar.

3. Create an Outline

If you struggle with starting to write and end up staring at a blank screen, making an outline is a time-tested way to overcome writer’s block.

An outline is a rough plan for your paper. It typically consists of preliminary headings and subheadings, along with short descriptions of each section’s content and sources. 

Your outline doesn’t have to be perfect or well-written! It’s just a way to organize your ideas and information you found during the research.

It’s best to start working on your outline the moment you kick off your research. This way, you won’t forget about a great source or point later.

4. Craft Your Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is that one sentence where you describe what your report is all about. But don’t confuse it with the topic – your thesis statement should be more specific than the topic you initially settled on.

Let’s say you initially chose “the impact of social media on mental health” as the topic for your assignment. Once you do your research, you’ll notice plenty of sources highlighting its negative consequences on mental health. This pattern will help you phrase your thesis statement.

For this example, the thesis statement can be, “Although it has the power to connect people around the globe, social media can lead to a decline in self-esteem, fear of missing out, anxiety and depression, and Snapchat dysmorphia.”

5. Write the First Draft

Now, it’s time for the most time-consuming part of the writing process: crafting the first draft. Your outline will help you a great deal, though: all you need to do is expand on it – and you’ll have your first draft.

You don’t have to start writing at the beginning. The introduction is typically the toughest to craft, along with the conclusion. So, just look at your outline and start typing wherever you feel like it.

You also don’t have to work on your draft linearly. Writing one section close to the end and then working on another one at the beginning is completely fine. You can ensure that you don’t repeat yourself and that your paper’s logic holds up later on.

Don’t worry about the quality of your writing at this stage; just keep writing. First drafts are never perfect, but you’ll polish off yours later on.

A Few Words on the Writing Style

When you get to the writing process or want to buy an assignment from professionals, keep in mind: you’re expected to use the academic assignment writing style. This means you should:

• Be concise and to the point;
• Avoid using informal words, phrases, and expressions;
• Remain objective in your writing;
• Write in the third person.

6. Review & Edit the Draft

Ideally, you should let your first draft sit for a day or two. This way, you can revisit it with a fresh pair of eyes. If that’s not an option, put it away for at least 15 minutes.

When you return to your first draft, it’s time to:

• Reread your draft – you can do it out loud to catch weird turns of phrases and convoluted sentences;
• Make your text more concise and simple;
• Check the text for errors in logic, unsubstantiated claims, and repetitions – and fix those;
• Proofread your text (you can use tools like Grammarly to make this part easier).

7. Format Your Report

Finally, it’s time to take care of the most boring part: formatting. To ace it, check the formatting style you have to use – and follow it to a T when it comes to:

• References list;
• Title page;
• Headers and footers;
• Appendices.

Writing a report is hardly a cakewalk. But it’s not impossible, either! All you need to do is set aside enough time for this assignment, do thorough research – and forget about writing a perfect draft on the first try. You should also stick to being objective and factual in your paper (otherwise, it won’t be a report, right?). By the way, we can now help you to do my assignment on any topic! So the report can now be available in two languages from our team. Good luck!

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8.5 Writing Process: Creating an Analytical Report

Learning outcomes.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Identify the elements of the rhetorical situation for your report.
• Find and focus a topic to write about.
• Gather and analyze information from appropriate sources.
• Distinguish among different kinds of evidence.
• Draft a thesis and create an organizational plan.
• Compose a report that develops ideas and integrates evidence from sources.
• Give and act on productive feedback to works in progress.

You might think that writing comes easily to experienced writers—that they draft stories and college papers all at once, sitting down at the computer and having sentences flow from their fingers like water from a faucet. In reality, most writers engage in a recursive process, pushing forward, stepping back, and repeating steps multiple times as their ideas develop and change. In broad strokes, the steps most writers go through are these:

• Planning and Organization . You will have an easier time drafting if you devote time at the beginning to consider the rhetorical situation for your report, understand your assignment, gather ideas and information, draft a thesis statement, and create an organizational plan.
• Drafting . When you have an idea of what you want to say and the order in which you want to say it, you’re ready to draft. As much as possible, keep going until you have a complete first draft of your report, resisting the urge to go back and rewrite. Save that for after you have completed a first draft.
• Review . Now is the time to get feedback from others, whether from your instructor, your classmates, a tutor in the writing center, your roommate, someone in your family, or someone else you trust to read your writing critically and give you honest feedback.
• Revising . With feedback on your draft, you are ready to revise. You may need to return to an earlier step and make large-scale revisions that involve planning, organizing, and rewriting, or you may need to work mostly on ensuring that your sentences are clear and correct.

Considering the Rhetorical Situation

Like other kinds of writing projects, a report starts with assessing the rhetorical situation —the circumstance in which a writer communicates with an audience of readers about a subject. As the writer of a report, you make choices based on the purpose of your writing, the audience who will read it, the genre of the report, and the expectations of the community and culture in which you are working. A graphic organizer like Table 8.1 can help you begin.

Summary of Assignment

Write an analytical report on a topic that interests you and that you want to know more about. The topic can be contemporary or historical, but it must be one that you can analyze and support with evidence from sources.

The following questions can help you think about a topic suitable for analysis:

• Why or how did ________ happen?
• What are the results or effects of ________?
• Is ________ a problem? If so, why?
• What are examples of ________ or reasons for ________?
• How does ________ compare to or contrast with other issues, concerns, or things?

Consult and cite three to five reliable sources. The sources do not have to be scholarly for this assignment, but they must be credible, trustworthy, and unbiased. Possible sources include academic journals, newspapers, magazines, reputable websites, government publications or agency websites, and visual sources such as TED Talks. You may also use the results of an experiment or survey, and you may want to conduct interviews.

Consider whether visuals and media will enhance your report. Can you present data you collect visually? Would a map, photograph, chart, or other graphic provide interesting and relevant support? Would video or audio allow you to present evidence that you would otherwise need to describe in words?

Another Lens. To gain another analytic view on the topic of your report, consider different people affected by it. Say, for example, that you have decided to report on recent high school graduates and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the final months of their senior year. If you are a recent high school graduate, you might naturally gravitate toward writing about yourself and your peers. But you might also consider the adults in the lives of recent high school graduates—for example, teachers, parents, or grandparents—and how they view the same period. Or you might consider the same topic from the perspective of a college admissions department looking at their incoming freshman class.

Quick Launch: Finding and Focusing a Topic

Coming up with a topic for a report can be daunting because you can report on nearly anything. The topic can easily get too broad, trapping you in the realm of generalizations. The trick is to find a topic that interests you and focus on an angle you can analyze in order to say something significant about it. You can use a graphic organizer to generate ideas, or you can use a concept map similar to the one featured in Writing Process: Thinking Critically About a “Text.”

Asking the Journalist’s Questions

One way to generate ideas about a topic is to ask the five W (and one H) questions, also called the journalist’s questions : Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Try answering the following questions to explore a topic:

Who was or is involved in ________?

What happened/is happening with ________? What were/are the results of ________?

When did ________ happen? Is ________ happening now?

Where did ________ happen, or where is ________ happening?

Why did ________ happen, or why is ________ happening now?

How did ________ happen?

For example, imagine that you have decided to write your analytical report on the effect of the COVID-19 shutdown on high-school students by interviewing students on your college campus. Your questions and answers might look something like those in Table 8.2 :

Asking Focused Questions

Another way to find a topic is to ask focused questions about it. For example, you might ask the following questions about the effect of the 2020 pandemic shutdown on recent high school graduates:

• How did the shutdown change students’ feelings about their senior year?
• How did the shutdown affect their decisions about post-graduation plans, such as work or going to college?
• How did the shutdown affect their academic performance in high school or in college?
• How did/do they feel about continuing their education?
• How did the shutdown affect their social relationships?

Any of these questions might be developed into a thesis for an analytical report. Table 8.3 shows more examples of broad topics and focusing questions.

Gathering Information

Because they are based on information and evidence, most analytical reports require you to do at least some research. Depending on your assignment, you may be able to find reliable information online, or you may need to do primary research by conducting an experiment, a survey, or interviews. For example, if you live among students in their late teens and early twenties, consider what they can tell you about their lives that you might be able to analyze. Returning to or graduating from high school, starting college, or returning to college in the midst of a global pandemic has provided them, for better or worse, with educational and social experiences that are shared widely by people their age and very different from the experiences older adults had at the same age.

Some report assignments will require you to do formal research, an activity that involves finding sources and evaluating them for reliability, reading them carefully, taking notes, and citing all words you quote and ideas you borrow. See Research Process: Accessing and Recording Information and Annotated Bibliography: Gathering, Evaluating, and Documenting Sources for detailed instruction on conducting research.

Whether you conduct in-depth research or not, keep track of the ideas that come to you and the information you learn. You can write or dictate notes using an app on your phone or computer, or you can jot notes in a journal if you prefer pen and paper. Then, when you are ready to begin organizing your report, you will have a record of your thoughts and information. Always track the sources of information you gather, whether from printed or digital material or from a person you interviewed, so that you can return to the sources if you need more information. And always credit the sources in your report.

Kinds of Evidence

Depending on your assignment and the topic of your report, certain kinds of evidence may be more effective than others. Other kinds of evidence may even be required. As a general rule, choose evidence that is rooted in verifiable facts and experience. In addition, select the evidence that best supports the topic and your approach to the topic, be sure the evidence meets your instructor’s requirements, and cite any evidence you use that comes from a source. The following list contains different kinds of frequently used evidence and an example of each.

Definition : An explanation of a key word, idea, or concept.

The U.S. Census Bureau refers to a “young adult” as a person between 18 and 34 years old.

Example : An illustration of an idea or concept.

The college experience in the fall of 2020 was starkly different from that of previous years. Students who lived in residence halls were assigned to small pods. On-campus dining services were limited. Classes were small and physically distanced or conducted online. Parties were banned.

Expert opinion : A statement by a professional in the field whose opinion is respected.

According to Louise Aronson, MD, geriatrician and author of Elderhood , people over the age of 65 are the happiest of any age group, reporting “less stress, depression, worry, and anger, and more enjoyment, happiness, and satisfaction” (255).

Fact : Information that can be proven correct or accurate.

According to data collected by the NCAA, the academic success of Division I college athletes between 2015 and 2019 was consistently high (Hosick).

Interview : An in-person, phone, or remote conversation that involves an interviewer posing questions to another person or people.

During our interview, I asked Betty about living without a cell phone during the pandemic. She said that before the pandemic, she hadn’t needed a cell phone in her daily activities, but she soon realized that she, and people like her, were increasingly at a disadvantage.

Quotation : The exact words of an author or a speaker.

In response to whether she thought she needed a cell phone, Betty said, “I got along just fine without a cell phone when I could go everywhere in person. The shift to needing a phone came suddenly, and I don’t have extra money in my budget to get one.”

Statistics : A numerical fact or item of data.

The Pew Research Center reported that approximately 25 percent of Hispanic Americans and 17 percent of Black Americans relied on smartphones for online access, compared with 12 percent of White people.

Survey : A structured interview in which respondents (the people who answer the survey questions) are all asked the same questions, either in person or through print or electronic means, and their answers tabulated and interpreted. Surveys discover attitudes, beliefs, or habits of the general public or segments of the population.

A survey of 3,000 mobile phone users in October 2020 showed that 54 percent of respondents used their phones for messaging, while 40 percent used their phones for calls (Steele).

• Visuals : Graphs, figures, tables, photographs and other images, diagrams, charts, maps, videos, and audio recordings, among others.

Thesis and Organization

Drafting a thesis.

When you have a grasp of your topic, move on to the next phase: drafting a thesis. The thesis is the central idea that you will explore and support in your report; all paragraphs in your report should relate to it. In an essay-style analytical report, you will likely express this main idea in a thesis statement of one or two sentences toward the end of the introduction.

For example, if you found that the academic performance of student athletes was higher than that of non-athletes, you might write the following thesis statement:

student sample text Although a common stereotype is that college athletes barely pass their classes, an analysis of athletes’ academic performance indicates that athletes drop fewer classes, earn higher grades, and are more likely to be on track to graduate in four years when compared with their non-athlete peers. end student sample text

The thesis statement often previews the organization of your writing. For example, in his report on the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Trevor Garcia wrote the following thesis statement, which detailed the central idea of his report:

student sample text An examination of the U.S. response shows that a reduction of experts in key positions and programs, inaction that led to equipment shortages, and inconsistent policies were three major causes of the spread of the virus and the resulting deaths. end student sample text

After you draft a thesis statement, ask these questions, and examine your thesis as you answer them. Revise your draft as needed.

• Is it interesting? A thesis for a report should answer a question that is worth asking and piques curiosity.
• Is it precise and specific? If you are interested in reducing pollution in a nearby lake, explain how to stop the zebra mussel infestation or reduce the frequent algae blooms.
• Is it manageable? Try to split the difference between having too much information and not having enough.

Organizing Your Ideas

As a next step, organize the points you want to make in your report and the evidence to support them. Use an outline, a diagram, or another organizational tool, such as Table 8.4 .

Drafting an Analytical Report

With a tentative thesis, an organization plan, and evidence, you are ready to begin drafting. For this assignment, you will report information, analyze it, and draw conclusions about the cause of something, the effect of something, or the similarities and differences between two different things.

Introduction

Some students write the introduction first; others save it for last. Whenever you choose to write the introduction, use it to draw readers into your report. Make the topic of your report clear, and be concise and sincere. End the introduction with your thesis statement. Depending on your topic and the type of report, you can write an effective introduction in several ways. Opening a report with an overview is a tried-and-true strategy, as shown in the following example on the U.S. response to COVID-19 by Trevor Garcia. Notice how he opens the introduction with statistics and a comparison and follows it with a question that leads to the thesis statement (underlined).

student sample text With more than 83 million cases and 1.8 million deaths at the end of 2020, COVID-19 has turned the world upside down. By the end of 2020, the United States led the world in the number of cases, at more than 20 million infections and nearly 350,000 deaths. In comparison, the second-highest number of cases was in India, which at the end of 2020 had less than half the number of COVID-19 cases despite having a population four times greater than the U.S. (“COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic,” 2021). How did the United States come to have the world’s worst record in this pandemic? underline An examination of the U.S. response shows that a reduction of experts in key positions and programs, inaction that led to equipment shortages, and inconsistent policies were three major causes of the spread of the virus and the resulting deaths end underline . end student sample text

For a less formal report, you might want to open with a question, quotation, or brief story. The following example opens with an anecdote that leads to the thesis statement (underlined).

student sample text Betty stood outside the salon, wondering how to get in. It was June of 2020, and the door was locked. A sign posted on the door provided a phone number for her to call to be let in, but at 81, Betty had lived her life without a cell phone. Betty’s day-to-day life had been hard during the pandemic, but she had planned for this haircut and was looking forward to it; she had a mask on and hand sanitizer in her car. Now she couldn’t get in the door, and she was discouraged. In that moment, Betty realized how much Americans’ dependence on cell phones had grown in the months since the pandemic began. underline Betty and thousands of other senior citizens who could not afford cell phones or did not have the technological skills and support they needed were being left behind in a society that was increasingly reliant on technology end underline . end student sample text

Body Paragraphs: Point, Evidence, Analysis

Use the body paragraphs of your report to present evidence that supports your thesis. A reliable pattern to keep in mind for developing the body paragraphs of a report is point , evidence , and analysis :

• The point is the central idea of the paragraph, usually given in a topic sentence stated in your own words at or toward the beginning of the paragraph. Each topic sentence should relate to the thesis.
• The evidence you provide develops the paragraph and supports the point made in the topic sentence. Include details, examples, quotations, paraphrases, and summaries from sources if you conducted formal research. Synthesize the evidence you include by showing in your sentences the connections between sources.
• The analysis comes at the end of the paragraph. In your own words, draw a conclusion about the evidence you have provided and how it relates to the topic sentence.

The paragraph below illustrates the point, evidence, and analysis pattern. Drawn from a report about concussions among football players, the paragraph opens with a topic sentence about the NCAA and NFL and their responses to studies about concussions. The paragraph is developed with evidence from three sources. It concludes with a statement about helmets and players’ safety.

student sample text The NCAA and NFL have taken steps forward and backward to respond to studies about the danger of concussions among players. Responding to the deaths of athletes, documented brain damage, lawsuits, and public outcry (Buckley et al., 2017), the NCAA instituted protocols to reduce potentially dangerous hits during football games and to diagnose traumatic head injuries more quickly and effectively. Still, it has allowed players to wear more than one style of helmet during a season, raising the risk of injury because of imperfect fit. At the professional level, the NFL developed a helmet-rating system in 2011 in an effort to reduce concussions, but it continued to allow players to wear helmets with a wide range of safety ratings. The NFL’s decision created an opportunity for researchers to look at the relationship between helmet safety ratings and concussions. Cocello et al. (2016) reported that players who wore helmets with a lower safety rating had more concussions than players who wore helmets with a higher safety rating, and they concluded that safer helmets are a key factor in reducing concussions. end student sample text

Developing Paragraph Content

In the body paragraphs of your report, you will likely use examples, draw comparisons, show contrasts, or analyze causes and effects to develop your topic.

Paragraphs developed with Example are common in reports. The paragraph below, adapted from a report by student John Zwick on the mental health of soldiers deployed during wartime, draws examples from three sources.

student sample text Throughout the Vietnam War, military leaders claimed that the mental health of soldiers was stable and that men who suffered from combat fatigue, now known as PTSD, were getting the help they needed. For example, the New York Times (1966) quoted military leaders who claimed that mental fatigue among enlisted men had “virtually ceased to be a problem,” occurring at a rate far below that of World War II. Ayres (1969) reported that Brigadier General Spurgeon Neel, chief American medical officer in Vietnam, explained that soldiers experiencing combat fatigue were admitted to the psychiatric ward, sedated for up to 36 hours, and given a counseling session with a doctor who reassured them that the rest was well deserved and that they were ready to return to their units. Although experts outside the military saw profound damage to soldiers’ psyches when they returned home (Halloran, 1970), the military stayed the course, treating acute cases expediently and showing little concern for the cumulative effect of combat stress on individual soldiers. end student sample text

When you analyze causes and effects , you explain the reasons that certain things happened and/or their results. The report by Trevor Garcia on the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 is an example: his report examines the reasons the United States failed to control the coronavirus. The paragraph below, adapted from another student’s report written for an environmental policy course, explains the effect of white settlers’ views of forest management on New England.

student sample text The early colonists’ European ideas about forest management dramatically changed the New England landscape. White settlers saw the New World as virgin, unused land, even though indigenous people had been drawing on its resources for generations by using fire subtly to improve hunting, employing construction techniques that left ancient trees intact, and farming small, efficient fields that left the surrounding landscape largely unaltered. White settlers’ desire to develop wood-built and wood-burning homesteads surrounded by large farm fields led to forestry practices and techniques that resulted in the removal of old-growth trees. These practices defined the way the forests look today. end student sample text

Compare and contrast paragraphs are useful when you wish to examine similarities and differences. You can use both comparison and contrast in a single paragraph, or you can use one or the other. The paragraph below, adapted from a student report on the rise of populist politicians, compares the rhetorical styles of populist politicians Huey Long and Donald Trump.

student sample text A key similarity among populist politicians is their rejection of carefully crafted sound bites and erudite vocabulary typically associated with candidates for high office. Huey Long and Donald Trump are two examples. When he ran for president, Long captured attention through his wild gesticulations on almost every word, dramatically varying volume, and heavily accented, folksy expressions, such as “The only way to be able to feed the balance of the people is to make that man come back and bring back some of that grub that he ain’t got no business with!” In addition, Long’s down-home persona made him a credible voice to represent the common people against the country’s rich, and his buffoonish style allowed him to express his radical ideas without sounding anti-communist alarm bells. Similarly, Donald Trump chose to speak informally in his campaign appearances, but the persona he projected was that of a fast-talking, domineering salesman. His frequent use of personal anecdotes, rhetorical questions, brief asides, jokes, personal attacks, and false claims made his speeches disjointed, but they gave the feeling of a running conversation between him and his audience. For example, in a 2015 speech, Trump said, “They just built a hotel in Syria. Can you believe this? They built a hotel. When I have to build a hotel, I pay interest. They don’t have to pay interest, because they took the oil that, when we left Iraq, I said we should’ve taken” (“Our Country Needs” 2020). While very different in substance, Long and Trump adopted similar styles that positioned them as the antithesis of typical politicians and their worldviews. end student sample text

The conclusion should draw the threads of your report together and make its significance clear to readers. You may wish to review the introduction, restate the thesis, recommend a course of action, point to the future, or use some combination of these. Whichever way you approach it, the conclusion should not head in a new direction. The following example is the conclusion from a student’s report on the effect of a book about environmental movements in the United States.

student sample text Since its publication in 1949, environmental activists of various movements have found wisdom and inspiration in Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac . These audiences included Leopold’s conservationist contemporaries, environmentalists of the 1960s and 1970s, and the environmental justice activists who rose in the 1980s and continue to make their voices heard today. These audiences have read the work differently: conservationists looked to the author as a leader, environmentalists applied his wisdom to their movement, and environmental justice advocates have pointed out the flaws in Leopold’s thinking. Even so, like those before them, environmental justice activists recognize the book’s value as a testament to taking the long view and eliminating biases that may cloud an objective assessment of humanity’s interdependent relationship with the environment. end student sample text

Citing Sources

You must cite the sources of information and data included in your report. Citations must appear in both the text and a bibliography at the end of the report.

The sample paragraphs in the previous section include examples of in-text citation using APA documentation style. Trevor Garcia’s report on the U.S. response to COVID-19 in 2020 also uses APA documentation style for citations in the text of the report and the list of references at the end. Your instructor may require another documentation style, such as MLA or Chicago.

Peer Review: Getting Feedback from Readers

You will likely engage in peer review with other students in your class by sharing drafts and providing feedback to help spot strengths and weaknesses in your reports. For peer review within a class, your instructor may provide assignment-specific questions or a form for you to complete as you work together.

If you have a writing center on your campus, it is well worth your time to make an online or in-person appointment with a tutor. You’ll receive valuable feedback and improve your ability to review not only your report but your overall writing.

Another way to receive feedback on your report is to ask a friend or family member to read your draft. Provide a list of questions or a form such as the one in Table 8.5 for them to complete as they read.

Revising: Using Reviewers’ Responses to Revise your Work

When you receive comments from readers, including your instructor, read each comment carefully to understand what is being asked. Try not to get defensive, even though this response is completely natural. Remember that readers are like coaches who want you to succeed. They are looking at your writing from outside your own head, and they can identify strengths and weaknesses that you may not have noticed. Keep track of the strengths and weaknesses your readers point out. Pay special attention to those that more than one reader identifies, and use this information to improve your report and later assignments.

As you analyze each response, be open to suggestions for improvement, and be willing to make significant revisions to improve your writing. Perhaps you need to revise your thesis statement to better reflect the content of your draft. Maybe you need to return to your sources to better understand a point you’re trying to make in order to develop a paragraph more fully. Perhaps you need to rethink the organization, move paragraphs around, and add transition sentences.

Below is an early draft of part of Trevor Garcia’s report with comments from a peer reviewer:

student sample text To truly understand what happened, it’s important first to look back to the years leading up to the pandemic. Epidemiologists and public health officials had long known that a global pandemic was possible. In 2016, the U.S. National Security Council (NSC) published a 69-page document with the intimidating title Playbook for Early Response to High-Consequence Emerging Infectious Disease Threats and Biological Incidents . The document’s two sections address responses to “emerging disease threats that start or are circulating in another country but not yet confirmed within U.S. territorial borders” and to “emerging disease threats within our nation’s borders.” On 13 January 2017, the joint Obama-Trump transition teams performed a pandemic preparedness exercise; however, the playbook was never adopted by the incoming administration. end student sample text

annotated text Peer Review Comment: Do the words in quotation marks need to be a direct quotation? It seems like a paraphrase would work here. end annotated text

annotated text Peer Review Comment: I’m getting lost in the details about the playbook. What’s the Obama-Trump transition team? end annotated text

student sample text In February 2018, the administration began to cut funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; cuts to other health agencies continued throughout 2018, with funds diverted to unrelated projects such as housing for detained immigrant children. end student sample text

annotated text Peer Review Comment: This paragraph has only one sentence, and it’s more like an example. It needs a topic sentence and more development. end annotated text

student sample text Three months later, Luciana Borio, director of medical and biodefense preparedness at the NSC, spoke at a symposium marking the centennial of the 1918 influenza pandemic. “The threat of pandemic flu is the number one health security concern,” she said. “Are we ready to respond? I fear the answer is no.” end student sample text

annotated text Peer Review Comment: This paragraph is very short and a lot like the previous paragraph in that it’s a single example. It needs a topic sentence. Maybe you can combine them? end annotated text

annotated text Peer Review Comment: Be sure to cite the quotation. end annotated text

Reading these comments and those of others, Trevor decided to combine the three short paragraphs into one paragraph focusing on the fact that the United States knew a pandemic was possible but was unprepared for it. He developed the paragraph, using the short paragraphs as evidence and connecting the sentences and evidence with transitional words and phrases. Finally, he added in-text citations in APA documentation style to credit his sources. The revised paragraph is below:

student sample text Epidemiologists and public health officials in the United States had long known that a global pandemic was possible. In 2016, the National Security Council (NSC) published Playbook for Early Response to High-Consequence Emerging Infectious Disease Threats and Biological Incidents , a 69-page document on responding to diseases spreading within and outside of the United States. On January 13, 2017, the joint transition teams of outgoing president Barack Obama and then president-elect Donald Trump performed a pandemic preparedness exercise based on the playbook; however, it was never adopted by the incoming administration (Goodman & Schulkin, 2020). A year later, in February 2018, the Trump administration began to cut funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, leaving key positions unfilled. Other individuals who were fired or resigned in 2018 were the homeland security adviser, whose portfolio included global pandemics; the director for medical and biodefense preparedness; and the top official in charge of a pandemic response. None of them were replaced, leaving the White House with no senior person who had experience in public health (Goodman & Schulkin, 2020). Experts voiced concerns, among them Luciana Borio, director of medical and biodefense preparedness at the NSC, who spoke at a symposium marking the centennial of the 1918 influenza pandemic in May 2018: “The threat of pandemic flu is the number one health security concern,” she said. “Are we ready to respond? I fear the answer is no” (Sun, 2018, final para.). end student sample text

A final word on working with reviewers’ comments: as you consider your readers’ suggestions, remember, too, that you remain the author. You are free to disregard suggestions that you think will not improve your writing. If you choose to disregard comments from your instructor, consider submitting a note explaining your reasons with the final draft of your report.

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• Study and research support
• Academic skills

Report writing

What is a report and how does it differ from writing an essay? Reports are concise and have a formal structure. They are often used to communicate the results or findings of a project.

Essays by contrast are often used to show a tutor what you think about a topic. They are discursive and the structure can be left to the discretion of the writer.

Who and what is the report for?

Before you write a report, you need to be clear about who you are writing the report for and why the report has been commissioned.

Keep the audience in mind as you write your report, think about what they need to know. For example, the report could be for:

• the general public
• academic staff
• senior management
• a customer/client.

Reports are usually assessed on content, structure, layout, language, and referencing. You should consider the focus of your report, for example:

• Are you reporting on an experiment?
• Is the purpose to provide background information?
• Should you be making recommendations for action?

Language of report writing

Reports use clear and concise language, which can differ considerably from essay writing.

They are often broken down in to sections, which each have their own headings and sub-headings. These sections may include bullet points or numbering as well as more structured sentences. Paragraphs are usually shorter in a report than in an essay.

Both essays and reports are examples of academic writing. You are expected to use grammatically correct sentence structure, vocabulary and punctuation.

Academic writing is formal so you should avoid using apostrophes and contractions such as “it’s” and "couldn't". Instead, use “it is” and “could not”.

Structure and organisation

Reports are much more structured than essays. They are divided in to sections and sub-sections that are formatted using bullet points or numbering.

Report structures do vary among disciplines, but the most common structures include the following:

The title page needs to be informative and descriptive, concisely stating the topic of the report.

Abstract (or Executive Summary in business reports)

The abstract is a brief summary of the context, methods, findings and conclusions of the report. It is intended to give the reader an overview of the report before they continue reading, so it is a good idea to write this section last.

An executive summary should outline the key problem and objectives, and then cover the main findings and key recommendations.

Table of contents

Readers will use this table of contents to identify which sections are most relevant to them. You must make sure your contents page correctly represents the structure of your report.

Take a look at this sample contents page.

Introduction

In your introduction you should include information about the background to your research, and what its aims and objectives are. You can also refer to the literature in this section; reporting what is already known about your question/topic, and if there are any gaps. Some reports are also expected to include a section called ‘Terms of references’, where you identify who asked for the report, what is covers, and what its limitations are.

Methodology

If your report involved research activity, you should state what that was, for example you may have interviewed clients, organised some focus groups, or done a literature review. The methodology section should provide an accurate description of the material and procedures used so that others could replicate the experiment you conducted.

Results/findings

The results/findings section should be an objective summary of your findings, which can use tables, graphs, or figures to describe the most important results and trends. You do not need to attempt to provide reasons for your results (this will happen in the discussion section).

In the discussion you are expected to critically evaluate your findings. You may need to re-state what your report was aiming to prove and whether this has been achieved. You should also assess the accuracy and significance of your findings, and show how it fits in the context of previous research.

Conclusion/recommendations

Your conclusion should summarise the outcomes of your report and make suggestions for further research or action to be taken. You may also need to include a list of specific recommendations as a result of your study.

The references are a list of any sources you have used in your report. Your report should use the standard referencing style preferred by your school or department eg Harvard, Numeric, OSCOLA etc.

You should use appendices to expand on points referred to in the main body of the report. If you only have one item it is an appendix, if you have more than one they are called appendices. You can use appendices to provide backup information, usually data or statistics, but it is important that the information contained is directly relevant to the content of the report.

Appendices can be given alphabetical or numerical headings, for example Appendix A, or Appendix 1. The order they appear at the back of your report is determined by the order that they are mentioned in the body of your report. You should refer to your appendices within the text of your report, for example ‘see Appendix B for a breakdown of the questionnaire results’. Don’t forget to list the appendices in your contents page.

Presentation and layout

Reports are written in several sections and may also include visual data such as figures and tables. The layout and presentation is therefore very important.

Your tutor or your module handbook will state how the report should be presented in terms of font sizes, margins, text alignment etc.

You will need good IT skills to manipulate graphical data and work with columns and tables. If you need to improve these skills, try the following online resources:

• Microsoft online training through Linkedin Learning
• Engage web resource on using tables and figures in reports

Related topics

• Critical thinking
• Finding information
• Understanding assessments
• Note-taking
• Time management
• Paraphrasing and quoting
• Referencing and avoiding plagiarism

See all available workshops .

Short on time? Watch a video on:

• Essay writing – 6:28
• Paraphrasing and quoting – 22:22
• Using active and passive voice – 9:58
• Editing your work – 5:12

Have any questions? 

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How to Write a Report for an Assignment

Academic assignments are very unpredictable. There are various fields, for example, Computer Programming or MBA, that you can be tested on, and one of them is writing a report. Whereas writing an essay is rather general, when report writing, you have to concentrate on factual information while taking any scientific and technical courses. Want to know how to write a report for a university assignment?

This article contains the instructions and guidelines concerning report writing, its target audience, and the problems to be addressed while completing the task.

If you’re a student struggling with a report writing assignment, you might wonder, “ Who can write my assignment for me ?” It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed and seek assistance when faced with a challenging academic task. Fortunately, many online writing services can help you complete your report writing assignment. These services offer professional writers who are experts in various fields and can provide high-quality, original content within your deadline. Before choosing a writing service, research and read reviews to ensure that you select a reputable and trustworthy company. With the right assistance, you can successfully complete your report writing assignment and achieve academic success.

How to Write a Report-Type Assignment: 9 Key Elements to Consider

A report is a short, well-planned, concise document written to address a specific purpose (to analyze a situation or issue) and audience (educators, a chief, subordinates, etc.) When writing a report, you should ensure that you address the highlighted issue adequately, providing evidence for each and every fact you mention. However, if you struggle with any of these steps or don’t have the time to complete the assignment, you may consider using a homework writing service . If you ask, “How to write my report?” the following points will be useful for you:

• Title Page. Every paper should have the name given to a particular type of work. You can learn how to write academic-style titles from Mark Fullmer, a teacher of English writing 101/102. If we are speaking about a report, you should state it in the title. Other details that you may need to include are your name, the university, and the date of submission if you are a student. And if you’re a worker who prepares a report for a chief, don’t forget to mention the organization’s name.

Have a look at the example.

• Executive summary report. A good report should have a summary that is approximately ½ of a page. The main details that should be included are a briefing on the main ideas discussed in the report, the analysis methods used, findings, and conclusions/recommendations, if any. It is important to clarify this so that your tutor/chief understands what you are doing right from the start of the report.
• Table of content. There should be a page of your report where a list of chapters/subsections with headlines and the page numbers are presented. Make this guide useful for your readers as they will easily find what they will be interested in, whether the findings or research methods chapters.
• List of abbreviations and symbols. If you are writing, for example, a technical report, there should be a separate list of the abbreviations used in your report. The technical language can be comprehensible for you and your professor, but others will struggle with most technical terms . Moreover, if you use some formulas for calculating, provide these symbols in this list as well.
• Introduction. The first chapter of your report should introduce the topic under discussion, some known information, and your approaches to the topic and how they relate to the other works.
• The main body. A good report, the topic of which is well-researched, should have 3 sections in the main part – methods, results, and discussion. In this part, you should include the research methods that are used and procedures that are followed to achieve the results of your analysis, then, you are also required to discuss your findings.
• Conclusions and recommendations. The concluding chapter should include an overview of the main ideas discussed in the report. Highlight your most central findings without including new ideas. Additionally, you can make suggestions for further research in the field you report on.
• Reference list. Every academic paper should have references, and there is no exemption when writing a report. Even if you are supposed to consider a particular subject on your own, you can’t escape from someone’s findings or ideas. Provide a list of the sources you consulted when conducting your research. Details to be included in the reference list are the data of all books, papers, reports, etc., you refer to in the text. In general, all sources are listed in alphabetical order by the surname of the author.
• Appendices. This section comprises all derivations, details, schemes, and listings that make your research/analysis in-depth. You may ask why it is necessary to separate this section. Can you imagine how boring it will be to read your report when there are tables, tables, and schemes on its pages? There is such a page for that purpose, but it is not always obligatory to have it in reports.

How to Make a Good Report: 5 Skills Needed

You may think that you need just a pen and a piece of paper to write a report. Indeed, you must have a set of skills to complete this assignment successfully. What are they?

• The skill to estimate adequately the time needed to complete the assignment. Usually, a student may procrastinate till the last minute as he/she is sure that it is a very easy task to write a report. Or vice versa – he/she believes this work requires much time. As a result, they spend a week or even weeks entirely on writing a report. What happens, then? Demotivation in studying and a ‘jumpy’ eye are guaranteed to you. As you understand, you should apply all essential time management skills to boost your productivity.
• The skill to define the scope of the study. A full understanding of the field of study is very important, but it plays into your hands when you know all the points that should be covered in the research project. So, it has to be defined at a preliminary stage of writing a report to arrive at more logical findings/conclusions. Outline the limitations of your study and the data specifications for your research paper.
• The researching skills. The research process involves finding out more about the topic under the question. What does it include in researching? Firstly, using effective tools to collect information. Secondly, refining search queries to obtain better research results. Thirdly, evaluate information found in different sources based on accuracy, validity, and appropriateness for your report. If you have all these skills, you are close to professional report writing.

But what if you don’t have the time or the skills to complete the assignment? In this case, you can use a “do my homework” service to help you with your report. These services can provide expert assistance with research, analysis, and writing to help you produce a high-quality report that meets your requirements and deadlines. Be sure to choose a reputable service that provides original and plagiarism-free work. With the help of a “ do my assignment ” service, you can save time and get the grades you need.

• The skill to plan and structure a piece of writing. According to CogniFit , the skill to plan forms our executive functions. It is a process that allows us to choose what needs to be done and what doesn’t. If you can create a framework for your paper writing, it will help you be excellent at it. Even short pieces require planning to be concise and to the point. Your report should fulfill its purpose to answer the assignment question according to a specific structure.
• Proofreading and editing skills. You probably want to present your report in the best possible light. Without any doubt, you are tired when finishing the assignment. Without proofreading your work, you might submit a paper with numerous grammar errors, unpunctuated sentences, or spelling mistakes. Moreover, you should remember what style you are required to use – whether it is an APA, MLA, or Harvard. All of them have peculiarities you should pay attention to while producing a report.

After reading this article, don’t just sit and enjoy the victory over report writing. The battle has not started and has not even been won yet. Let today be the day when you know how to write good academic reports. Subsequently, you’ll start writing reports as required. Practice makes perfect!

However, even with practice, some students may still struggle with report writing for various reasons, such as a lack of time or poor writing skills. In such cases, an assignment writing service can come in handy. These services provide professional assistance with report writing, ensuring that you receive a well-structured and well-written report that meets your academic requirements. These services employ experienced writers with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle different reports.

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Assignment and Report Writing: Assignment Writing

• Assignment Writing
• Structure of Assignments
• Laboratory/Scientific Reports
• Citation & Referencing

An assignment is a task or a piece of work allocated to someone as part of job or course of study. The assignments help students to learn in an Academic context and in the process sharpening the writer’s researching and writing skills and broadening their understanding on the issue or topic researched on.

Steps of Writing Assignments

Step 1: Analyse the topic/question - when you write assignment you have to understand your assignment/topic before you can do anything else, you must know what is expected from you or firstly find what kind of assignment you are writing. Is it an essay, report, annotated bibliography, literature review, case study etc.? After that choose the language to use to both conceptualise and define the subject you require information about, look for assignment key words or phrases, after identifying them underline them and define them, these will help your thinking and your research approaches.

Step 2: Planning – it is important to plan how you are going to tackle your assignment. Planning will enable you to prepare and deliver a work that is of high quality, at the expected time. For each assignment you should have time to:

• Construe your assignment – start by trying to understand what you are being asked to do and determine the type of assignment you should produce.
• Create a schedule – creating a schedule before embarking on an assignment will enable you to have adequate time to deliver high quality piece of work.
• Plan your answers- Before   writing your assignment make sure that you have a clear picture of what you think about the answer to the question, write down the ideas or translate the topic in your own words. This will help you source the right research material and also give the correct answers of your assignment.

Step 3: Finding information- when writing an assignment, the best thing is to find information that is reliable and not outdated. This can be only fulfilled when you read different sources of information, like Encyclopaedia, textbooks, dictionaries. It is also vital to look at bibliographies in whatever you are reading to find other sources that contain the information similar to your research question or to find additional sources of information. The University Library has an array of information sources which can be searched through the catalog, there are also periodicals and online databases subscribed to in order to meet the various information needs of the library patrons. After finding the information, evaluate the information to see if it is the right one for your assignment.

Step 4: Drafting - After finding the information from different sources of information make sure that you start to take notes from each   and every source of information you are using, this will help you not to forget/miss important information and it also help you to organise the information articulately.

Step 5: Writing – This is where you start to introduce your topic, the main points of your story, the purpose of the assignment, literature review and conclusion. This is when you start to write information that address the questions of your assignment. The structure of your writing will be determined by the type of the assignment and/or questions asked. Academic integrity should be duly practiced to avoid plagiarism and academic dishonesty.

Step 6: Editing - is when you go through your work or assignment –

To check for editorial and grammatical errors, clarity of your work, to see if references are precise and arranged and the title page/cover page provided.

Step 7: Timely Submission . It is important to submit the assignment well in time before the due date/ agreed time, failure to which it should at least be on the due date. Late submission may attract penalty. 

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Understanding Assignments

What this handout is about.

The first step in any successful college writing venture is reading the assignment. While this sounds like a simple task, it can be a tough one. This handout will help you unravel your assignment and begin to craft an effective response. Much of the following advice will involve translating typical assignment terms and practices into meaningful clues to the type of writing your instructor expects. See our short video for more tips.

Basic beginnings

Regardless of the assignment, department, or instructor, adopting these two habits will serve you well :

• Read the assignment carefully as soon as you receive it. Do not put this task off—reading the assignment at the beginning will save you time, stress, and problems later. An assignment can look pretty straightforward at first, particularly if the instructor has provided lots of information. That does not mean it will not take time and effort to complete; you may even have to learn a new skill to complete the assignment.
• Ask the instructor about anything you do not understand. Do not hesitate to approach your instructor. Instructors would prefer to set you straight before you hand the paper in. That’s also when you will find their feedback most useful.

Assignment formats

Many assignments follow a basic format. Assignments often begin with an overview of the topic, include a central verb or verbs that describe the task, and offer some additional suggestions, questions, or prompts to get you started.

An Overview of Some Kind

The instructor might set the stage with some general discussion of the subject of the assignment, introduce the topic, or remind you of something pertinent that you have discussed in class. For example:

“Throughout history, gerbils have played a key role in politics,” or “In the last few weeks of class, we have focused on the evening wear of the housefly …”

The Task of the Assignment

Pay attention; this part tells you what to do when you write the paper. Look for the key verb or verbs in the sentence. Words like analyze, summarize, or compare direct you to think about your topic in a certain way. Also pay attention to words such as how, what, when, where, and why; these words guide your attention toward specific information. (See the section in this handout titled “Key Terms” for more information.)

“Analyze the effect that gerbils had on the Russian Revolution”, or “Suggest an interpretation of housefly undergarments that differs from Darwin’s.”

Additional Material to Think about

Here you will find some questions to use as springboards as you begin to think about the topic. Instructors usually include these questions as suggestions rather than requirements. Do not feel compelled to answer every question unless the instructor asks you to do so. Pay attention to the order of the questions. Sometimes they suggest the thinking process your instructor imagines you will need to follow to begin thinking about the topic.

“You may wish to consider the differing views held by Communist gerbils vs. Monarchist gerbils, or Can there be such a thing as ‘the housefly garment industry’ or is it just a home-based craft?”

These are the instructor’s comments about writing expectations:

“Be concise”, “Write effectively”, or “Argue furiously.”

Technical Details

These instructions usually indicate format rules or guidelines.

“Your paper must be typed in Palatino font on gray paper and must not exceed 600 pages. It is due on the anniversary of Mao Tse-tung’s death.”

The assignment’s parts may not appear in exactly this order, and each part may be very long or really short. Nonetheless, being aware of this standard pattern can help you understand what your instructor wants you to do.

Interpreting the assignment

Ask yourself a few basic questions as you read and jot down the answers on the assignment sheet:

Why did your instructor ask you to do this particular task?

Who is your audience.

• What kind of evidence do you need to support your ideas?

What kind of writing style is acceptable?

• What are the absolute rules of the paper?

Try to look at the question from the point of view of the instructor. Recognize that your instructor has a reason for giving you this assignment and for giving it to you at a particular point in the semester. In every assignment, the instructor has a challenge for you. This challenge could be anything from demonstrating an ability to think clearly to demonstrating an ability to use the library. See the assignment not as a vague suggestion of what to do but as an opportunity to show that you can handle the course material as directed. Paper assignments give you more than a topic to discuss—they ask you to do something with the topic. Keep reminding yourself of that. Be careful to avoid the other extreme as well: do not read more into the assignment than what is there.

Of course, your instructor has given you an assignment so that he or she will be able to assess your understanding of the course material and give you an appropriate grade. But there is more to it than that. Your instructor has tried to design a learning experience of some kind. Your instructor wants you to think about something in a particular way for a particular reason. If you read the course description at the beginning of your syllabus, review the assigned readings, and consider the assignment itself, you may begin to see the plan, purpose, or approach to the subject matter that your instructor has created for you. If you still aren’t sure of the assignment’s goals, try asking the instructor. For help with this, see our handout on getting feedback .

Given your instructor’s efforts, it helps to answer the question: What is my purpose in completing this assignment? Is it to gather research from a variety of outside sources and present a coherent picture? Is it to take material I have been learning in class and apply it to a new situation? Is it to prove a point one way or another? Key words from the assignment can help you figure this out. Look for key terms in the form of active verbs that tell you what to do.

Key Terms: Finding Those Active Verbs

Here are some common key words and definitions to help you think about assignment terms:

Information words Ask you to demonstrate what you know about the subject, such as who, what, when, where, how, and why.

• define —give the subject’s meaning (according to someone or something). Sometimes you have to give more than one view on the subject’s meaning
• describe —provide details about the subject by answering question words (such as who, what, when, where, how, and why); you might also give details related to the five senses (what you see, hear, feel, taste, and smell)
• explain —give reasons why or examples of how something happened
• illustrate —give descriptive examples of the subject and show how each is connected with the subject
• summarize —briefly list the important ideas you learned about the subject
• trace —outline how something has changed or developed from an earlier time to its current form
• research —gather material from outside sources about the subject, often with the implication or requirement that you will analyze what you have found

Relation words Ask you to demonstrate how things are connected.

• compare —show how two or more things are similar (and, sometimes, different)
• contrast —show how two or more things are dissimilar
• apply—use details that you’ve been given to demonstrate how an idea, theory, or concept works in a particular situation
• cause —show how one event or series of events made something else happen
• relate —show or describe the connections between things

Interpretation words Ask you to defend ideas of your own about the subject. Do not see these words as requesting opinion alone (unless the assignment specifically says so), but as requiring opinion that is supported by concrete evidence. Remember examples, principles, definitions, or concepts from class or research and use them in your interpretation.

• assess —summarize your opinion of the subject and measure it against something
• prove, justify —give reasons or examples to demonstrate how or why something is the truth
• evaluate, respond —state your opinion of the subject as good, bad, or some combination of the two, with examples and reasons
• support —give reasons or evidence for something you believe (be sure to state clearly what it is that you believe)
• synthesize —put two or more things together that have not been put together in class or in your readings before; do not just summarize one and then the other and say that they are similar or different—you must provide a reason for putting them together that runs all the way through the paper
• analyze —determine how individual parts create or relate to the whole, figure out how something works, what it might mean, or why it is important
• argue —take a side and defend it with evidence against the other side

More Clues to Your Purpose As you read the assignment, think about what the teacher does in class:

• What kinds of textbooks or coursepack did your instructor choose for the course—ones that provide background information, explain theories or perspectives, or argue a point of view?
• In lecture, does your instructor ask your opinion, try to prove her point of view, or use keywords that show up again in the assignment?
• What kinds of assignments are typical in this discipline? Social science classes often expect more research. Humanities classes thrive on interpretation and analysis.
• How do the assignments, readings, and lectures work together in the course? Instructors spend time designing courses, sometimes even arguing with their peers about the most effective course materials. Figuring out the overall design to the course will help you understand what each assignment is meant to achieve.

Now, what about your reader? Most undergraduates think of their audience as the instructor. True, your instructor is a good person to keep in mind as you write. But for the purposes of a good paper, think of your audience as someone like your roommate: smart enough to understand a clear, logical argument, but not someone who already knows exactly what is going on in your particular paper. Remember, even if the instructor knows everything there is to know about your paper topic, he or she still has to read your paper and assess your understanding. In other words, teach the material to your reader.

Aiming a paper at your audience happens in two ways: you make decisions about the tone and the level of information you want to convey.

• Tone means the “voice” of your paper. Should you be chatty, formal, or objective? Usually you will find some happy medium—you do not want to alienate your reader by sounding condescending or superior, but you do not want to, um, like, totally wig on the man, you know? Eschew ostentatious erudition: some students think the way to sound academic is to use big words. Be careful—you can sound ridiculous, especially if you use the wrong big words.
• The level of information you use depends on who you think your audience is. If you imagine your audience as your instructor and she already knows everything you have to say, you may find yourself leaving out key information that can cause your argument to be unconvincing and illogical. But you do not have to explain every single word or issue. If you are telling your roommate what happened on your favorite science fiction TV show last night, you do not say, “First a dark-haired white man of average height, wearing a suit and carrying a flashlight, walked into the room. Then a purple alien with fifteen arms and at least three eyes turned around. Then the man smiled slightly. In the background, you could hear a clock ticking. The room was fairly dark and had at least two windows that I saw.” You also do not say, “This guy found some aliens. The end.” Find some balance of useful details that support your main point.

You’ll find a much more detailed discussion of these concepts in our handout on audience .

The Grim Truth

With a few exceptions (including some lab and ethnography reports), you are probably being asked to make an argument. You must convince your audience. It is easy to forget this aim when you are researching and writing; as you become involved in your subject matter, you may become enmeshed in the details and focus on learning or simply telling the information you have found. You need to do more than just repeat what you have read. Your writing should have a point, and you should be able to say it in a sentence. Sometimes instructors call this sentence a “thesis” or a “claim.”

So, if your instructor tells you to write about some aspect of oral hygiene, you do not want to just list: “First, you brush your teeth with a soft brush and some peanut butter. Then, you floss with unwaxed, bologna-flavored string. Finally, gargle with bourbon.” Instead, you could say, “Of all the oral cleaning methods, sandblasting removes the most plaque. Therefore it should be recommended by the American Dental Association.” Or, “From an aesthetic perspective, moldy teeth can be quite charming. However, their joys are short-lived.”

Convincing the reader of your argument is the goal of academic writing. It doesn’t have to say “argument” anywhere in the assignment for you to need one. Look at the assignment and think about what kind of argument you could make about it instead of just seeing it as a checklist of information you have to present. For help with understanding the role of argument in academic writing, see our handout on argument .

What kind of evidence do you need?

There are many kinds of evidence, and what type of evidence will work for your assignment can depend on several factors–the discipline, the parameters of the assignment, and your instructor’s preference. Should you use statistics? Historical examples? Do you need to conduct your own experiment? Can you rely on personal experience? See our handout on evidence for suggestions on how to use evidence appropriately.

Make sure you are clear about this part of the assignment, because your use of evidence will be crucial in writing a successful paper. You are not just learning how to argue; you are learning how to argue with specific types of materials and ideas. Ask your instructor what counts as acceptable evidence. You can also ask a librarian for help. No matter what kind of evidence you use, be sure to cite it correctly—see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial .

You cannot always tell from the assignment just what sort of writing style your instructor expects. The instructor may be really laid back in class but still expect you to sound formal in writing. Or the instructor may be fairly formal in class and ask you to write a reflection paper where you need to use “I” and speak from your own experience.

Try to avoid false associations of a particular field with a style (“art historians like wacky creativity,” or “political scientists are boring and just give facts”) and look instead to the types of readings you have been given in class. No one expects you to write like Plato—just use the readings as a guide for what is standard or preferable to your instructor. When in doubt, ask your instructor about the level of formality she or he expects.

No matter what field you are writing for or what facts you are including, if you do not write so that your reader can understand your main idea, you have wasted your time. So make clarity your main goal. For specific help with style, see our handout on style .

Technical details about the assignment

The technical information you are given in an assignment always seems like the easy part. This section can actually give you lots of little hints about approaching the task. Find out if elements such as page length and citation format (see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial ) are negotiable. Some professors do not have strong preferences as long as you are consistent and fully answer the assignment. Some professors are very specific and will deduct big points for deviations.

Usually, the page length tells you something important: The instructor thinks the size of the paper is appropriate to the assignment’s parameters. In plain English, your instructor is telling you how many pages it should take for you to answer the question as fully as you are expected to. So if an assignment is two pages long, you cannot pad your paper with examples or reword your main idea several times. Hit your one point early, defend it with the clearest example, and finish quickly. If an assignment is ten pages long, you can be more complex in your main points and examples—and if you can only produce five pages for that assignment, you need to see someone for help—as soon as possible.

Tricks that don’t work

Your instructors are not fooled when you:

• spend more time on the cover page than the essay —graphics, cool binders, and cute titles are no replacement for a well-written paper.
• use huge fonts, wide margins, or extra spacing to pad the page length —these tricks are immediately obvious to the eye. Most instructors use the same word processor you do. They know what’s possible. Such tactics are especially damning when the instructor has a stack of 60 papers to grade and yours is the only one that low-flying airplane pilots could read.
• use a paper from another class that covered “sort of similar” material . Again, the instructor has a particular task for you to fulfill in the assignment that usually relates to course material and lectures. Your other paper may not cover this material, and turning in the same paper for more than one course may constitute an Honor Code violation . Ask the instructor—it can’t hurt.
• get all wacky and “creative” before you answer the question . Showing that you are able to think beyond the boundaries of a simple assignment can be good, but you must do what the assignment calls for first. Again, check with your instructor. A humorous tone can be refreshing for someone grading a stack of papers, but it will not get you a good grade if you have not fulfilled the task.

Critical reading of assignments leads to skills in other types of reading and writing. If you get good at figuring out what the real goals of assignments are, you are going to be better at understanding the goals of all of your classes and fields of study.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Assignment writing guides and samples

If you're looking for useful guides for assignment writing and language skills check out our range of study skills resources

Essay writing

• Writing essays [PDF 240KB] . Tips on writing a great essay, including developing an argument, structure and appropriate referencing. 
• Sample essay [PDF 330KB] . A sample of an essay that includes an annotated structure for your reference.  

Writing a critical review

• Writing a critical review [PDF 260KB] . Tips on writing a great critical review, including structure, format and key questions to address when writing a review. 
• Sample critical review [PDF 260KB] . A sample of a critical review that includes an annotated structure for your reference.  

Writing a business-style report

• Writing a business-style report [PDF 330KB] . A resource for business and law students Find out how to write and format business-style reports.
• Sample of a business-style report [PDF 376 KB] . A resource for business and law students. A sample of a business-style report with an annotated format.  

Investigative report sample

• Sample of an investigative report [PDF 500KB] . A resource for science, engineering and technology students. How to write an investigative report, including an annotated format.  

Assignment topics and editing

• Interpreting assignment topics [PDF 370 KB] . Find out how to interpret an assignment topic, including understanding key words and concepts. 
• How to edit your work [PDF 189KB] . A guide for all students about how to edit and review their work.   

Language skills

• Building your word power (expanding your knowledge of words) [PDF 306KB]. A guide to expanding your knowledge of words and communicating your ideas in more interesting ways.
• Handy grammar hints [PDF 217KB] .  A guide to getting grammar and style right in your assignments.

Resources relevant to your study area

Science, engineering and technology.

• Writing a critical review [PDF 260KB].  Tips on writing a great critical review, including structure, format and key questions to address when writing a review. 
• Sample critical review [PDF 260KB] . A sample of a critical review that includes an annotated structure for your reference. 
• Sample of an investigative report [PDF 500KB] . A resource for science, engineering and technology students. How to write an investigative report, including an annotated format. 
• How to edit your work [PDF 189KB] . A guide for all students about how to edit and review their work.  
• Building your word power (expanding your knowledge of words) [PDF 306KB]. A guide to expanding your knowledge of words and communicating your ideas in more interesting ways. 
• Handy grammar hints [PDF 217KB] . A guide to getting grammar and style right in your assignments. 

Health, Arts and Design

• Sample essay [PDF 330KB] . A sample of an essay that includes an annotated structure for your reference. 
• Writing a critical review [PDF 260KB]. Tips on writing a great critical review, including structure, format and key questions to address when writing a review. 
• Sample critical review [PDF 260KB]. A sample of a critical review that includes an annotated structure for your reference. 
• How to edit your work [PDF 189KB] . A guide for all students about how to edit and review their work. 
• Handy grammar hints [PDF 217KB]. A guide to getting grammar and style right in your assignments.

Business and Law

• Sample essay [PDF 330KB]. A sample of an essay that includes an annotated structure for your reference. 
• Writing a business-style report [PDF 330KB]. A resource for business and law students. Find out how to write and format business-style reports.
• Sample of a business-style report [PDF 376 KB]. A resource for business and law students. A sample of a business-style report, with an annotated format. 
• Interpreting assignment topics [PDF 370 KB]. Find out how to interpret an assignment topic, including understanding key words and concepts. 
• How to edit your work [PDF 189KB]. A guide for all students about how to edit and review their work.

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How to Start an Assignment

Last Updated: January 29, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Michelle Golden, PhD . Michelle Golden is an English teacher in Athens, Georgia. She received her MA in Language Arts Teacher Education in 2008 and received her PhD in English from Georgia State University in 2015. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 106,120 times.

Getting started on an assignment or homework can often times be the hardest step. Putting off the assignment can make the problem worse, reducing the time you have to complete the task and increasing stress. By learning how to get started and overcome the urge to procrastinate, you can get your assignments done on schedule and with less stress, opening up more free time.

Restructuring Your Assignment

• For example, you might research areas of a report that you find most interesting before moving on to other areas.
• If your math assignment has different types of questions, try doing those that you enjoy the most before moving on to the others.
• You might also try tackling smaller or easier tasks first so you can cross a few items off your list. Seeing that you've already made progress may help you feel motivated to continue.

• Promise yourself that you will meet your goal of working for five minutes on the assignment.
• Once you get started, you may find that you don't want to stop working. Otherwise, you can take a break and come back to the assignment, knowing you're at least five minutes closer to finishing than you were before.

• Try to set reasonable periods of time that you know you can meet. For example, you might set aside two hours on a Friday to dedicate to your assignment. If you don't have that much time all at once, try to carve out a few 20- or 30-minute blocks.
• You may or may not wish to continue working after your time limit has gone by.
• Have a realistic understanding of how fast you can write and plan your schedule accordingly.

• It can help to read the assignment as soon as you get it and then ask any questions you might have.
• If you're not sure if you understand the assignment, try rewriting it in your own words or explaining it to someone else. If you find you can't or have a lot of questions, you may need more information.
• You should have an overview of the assignment, understand the main task, and understand the technical and stylistic requirements.
• Look for important words in the instructions to understand the assignment. These words might include define, explain, compare, relate, or prove.
• Keep your audience in mind and write a paper that would best deliver information to them.

• Goals that are too big or not well defined can be difficult to start working towards.
• Smaller and well defined goals can seem easier to achieve than larger ones.
• For example, you could break a research paper down into several smaller tasks: 1) do preliminary research, 2) write an outline, 3) draft an introduction, 4) draft body paragraphs, 5) write conclusion, 6) revise. Each of these is much more do-able on its own.

Changing Your Focus

• You might want to go for a quick walk after working for a set amount of time.
• Try reading a website or book that you enjoy for a few minutes after working.
• Alternatively, try a quick burst of exercise before setting to work. Exercise releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins and can also help boost your memory. [8] X Research source

• Instead of dreading your work, focus on how good it will feel to make progress. You won't have it hanging over your head. You can actually enjoy the weekend instead of feeling guilty.
• Keeping your eye on long-term rewards can help you stay motivated to finish your assignment.

• Avoid moving your workspace constantly.
• Don't get lost on tangential research.
• Don't take constant breaks to get a snack.

• For every hour you waste procrastinating, you can limit how much television you watch that night.
• If you waste too much time procrastinating, you might deny yourself a favorite snack later on.

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/solving-unsolvable-problems/201408/4-steps-stop-procrastinating
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/friendship-20/201405/the-surefire-first-step-stop-procrastinating
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/procrastination/
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/understanding-assignments/
• ↑ https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/ab22ff64-3358-4387-9761-8c58878a6b84/resource/3ee38320-17e4-46f9-b24f-c95f9f345eb9/download/ipp7.pdf
• ↑ http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/07/how-exercise-can-help-us-learn/
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/happy-life.html

About This Article

To start an assignment, try working on the most enjoyable or easiest parts of the assignment first to get the ball rolling. Even if no part of the assignment seems enjoyable or easy, set a timer and try to make yourself work for at least 5 minutes, which is usually enough time to build momentum and overcome procrastination. You can also try breaking your assignment up into smaller, more manageable tasks and scheduling yourself regular breaks so it doesn't seem as overwhelming. To learn how to stay positive and avoid procrastination while working on your homework, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write an Effective Assignment

At their base, all assignment prompts function a bit like a magnifying glass—they allow a student to isolate, focus on, inspect, and interact with some portion of your course material through a fixed lens of your choosing.

The Key Components of an Effective Assignment Prompt

All assignments, from ungraded formative response papers all the way up to a capstone assignment, should include the following components to ensure that students and teachers understand not only the learning objective of the assignment, but also the discrete steps which they will need to follow in order to complete it successfully:

• Preamble.  This situates the assignment within the context of the course, reminding students of what they have been working on in anticipation of the assignment and how that work has prepared them to succeed at it. 
• Justification and Purpose.  This explains why the particular type or genre of assignment you’ve chosen (e.g., lab report, policy memo, problem set, or personal reflection) is the best way for you and your students to measure how well they’ve met the learning objectives associated with this segment of the course.
• Mission.  This explains the assignment in broad brush strokes, giving students a general sense of the project you are setting before them. It often gives students guidance on the evidence or data they should be working with, as well as helping them imagine the audience their work should be aimed at.  
• Tasks.  This outlines what students are supposed to do at a more granular level: for example, how to start, where to look, how to ask for help, etc. If written well, this part of the assignment prompt ought to function as a kind of "process" rubric for students, helping them to decide for themselves whether they are completing the assignment successfully.
• Submission format.  This tells students, in appropriate detail, which stylistic conventions they should observe and how to submit their work. For example, should the assignment be a five-page paper written in APA format and saved as a .docx file? Should it be uploaded to the course website? Is it due by Tuesday at 5:00pm?

For illustrations of these five components in action, visit our gallery of annotated assignment prompts .

For advice about creative assignments (e.g. podcasts, film projects, visual and performing art projects, etc.), visit our  Guidance on Non-Traditional Forms of Assessment .

For specific advice on different genres of assignment, click below:

Response Papers

Problem sets, source analyses, final exams, concept maps, research papers, oral presentations, poster presentations.

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New York Giants UDFA Scouting Report: OT Marcellus Johnson, Missouri

The Giants didn't address the offensive line in the draft, but they do have an eye on Marcellus Johnson as a potential swing tackle developmental prospect.

• Author: Gene Clemons
• Publish date: Apr 29, 2024

In this story:

The New York Giants didn't add an offensive lineman in the draft, but that doesn't mean they didn't have their eye on some undrafted prospects.

One such player is former Missouri offensive tackle Marcellus Johnson, who signed as a priority undrafted free agent with $170,000 in guaranteed money. Johnson was limited in action this past season due to injury, but he did perform on the Tigers' special teams. 

Before last season, he spent five seasons at Eastern Michigan, where he developed into a three-year starting left tackle. During his time there, he helped EMU become one of the best passing offenses in the MAC. 

EMU also averaged an impressive 30.1 points per game over his 32 starts for the Eagles. In addition to his on-field exploits, he was also a four-time All-MAC academic selection. 

What to Love?

Johnson has good feet and decent athleticism, allowing him to move well in pass protection. One of the most important things in pass pro for an offensive lineman, especially a tackle, is keeping one's body between the pass rusher and the quarterback, and Johnson does a great job at it. 

He also has decent contact balance, allowing him to sit back in his stance and be patient against the pass rusher. He does not reach or lunge at blocks but is patient and allows the defender to come to him.

That patience is key to his success, and he will need to lean on that talent if he wants to cement himself on this roster that is suddenly plush with offensive linemen. 

•  List of New York Giants UDFA Signings/Tryouts 

What Needs to Improve?

Yes, Johnson is a capable pass blocker, which is a positive, but he will need to improve his run-blocking ability. He needs to get stronger with his punch and be better at rolling his hips through when he makes contact with a defender. 

He also needs to get better at continuing to run his feet after contact as well. He is much better as a zone blocker than in a man scheme, and his technique could be cleaner in his gap scheme blocking. He has the ability but needs to round out his skills.

A professional strength and conditioning program can help him put more mass on his frame, which is currently bare-love and north of 300 pounds. That extra weight should help him move defenders as long as he can retain his quickness and improved footwork. 

How He Fits

The Giants are looking for depth at right tackle, and Johnson should provide that. He is a guy who they can train at both tackle positions. His pass-blocking abilities are definitely what they will hope to take advantage of as a backup for Andrew Thomas and continue to push Evan Neal to reach his full potential, but also be there if injury strikes as it has in his first two seasons. 

If he can impress coaches, he may make recent free agent signee Jermaine Eluemunor a permanent guard on this team. Johnson also proved in his final collegiate season that he can be a legitimate asset on special teams, which still needs to improve from its performance last season.  

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2024 Kentucky Derby post draw, post positions, odds for 150th Run for the Roses: Fierceness early favorite

The first triple crown race of the year is nearly here and we now know the post positions for the kentucky derby.

It's almost time for the 150th Kentucky Derby. One of the most famous horse racing events in the world takes place on the first Saturday of May annually. One week before the horses enter the starting gates for the fastest two minutes in sports, the post draw was held to determine each horse's starting position at Churchill Downs. 

The morning-line favorite is Fierceness at 5/2, who will start out of the No. 17 gate. Trainer Todd Pletcher brings another big name to Churchill Downs looking for his third career Kentucky Derby win and first since 2017. Another early favorite is Sierra Leone at 3-1, who is trained by Chad Brown. The native of New York is looking for his first Kentucky Derby win to go along with his pair of victories at the Preakness Stakes. 

The winner of the 150th edition of the Kentucky Derby will look to join the 13 Triple Crown winners in history. The last came in 2018 with Justify as the horse easily swept all three legs of the Triple Crown at the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. 

Check out the list of previous 149 winners before the action kicks off on May 4. You can also get picks from an expert who has nailed 10 Derby-Oaks doubles at Churchill Downs .

2024 Kentucky Derby post positions

• Dornoch (20-1)
• Sierra Leone (3-1)
• Mystik Dan (20-1)
• Catching Freedom (8-1)
• Catalytic (30-1)
• Just Steel (20-1)
• Honor Marie (20-1)
• Just a Touch (10-1)
• Encino (20-1)
•  T O Password (30-1) 
• Forever Young (10-1)
• Track Phantom (20-1)
• West Saratoga (50-1)
• Endlessly (30-1)
• Domestic Product (30-1)
• Grand Mo the First (50-1)
• Fierceness (5/2)
• Stronghold (20-1)
• Resilience (20-1)
• Society Man (50-1)

2024 Kentucky Derby odds (sorted)

• Fierceness -- 5/2
• Sierra Leone 3-1
• Catching Freedom 8-1
• Just a Touch 10-1
• Forever Young 10-1
• Dornoch 20-1
• Mystik Dan 20-1
• Just Steel 20-1
• Honor Marie 20-1
• Encino 20-1
• Track Phantom 20-1
• Stronghold 20-1
• Resilience 20-1
• Catalytic 30-1
• T O Password 30-1
• Endlessly 30-1
• Domestic Product 30-1
• West Saratoga 50-1
• Grand Mo the First 50-1
• Society Man 50-1

Which horse wins the Kentucky Derby, and which double-digit longshot is a must-back? Visit SportsLine to see Jody Demling's picks for the Kentucky Derby, all from the expert who nailed 10 Derby-Oaks doubles . 

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What we know about the $1 billion plan to keep hockey — and the Utah Jazz — downtown

The salt palace and abravanel hall could be impacted as stakeholders work to build a sports and entertainment district around the delta center..

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Hockey fans celebrate the introduction of the Utah NHL team during an event at the Delta Center on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. What began as an arena relocation, the owners of Utah's new hockey franchise, Ryan and Ashley Smith, are planning a major renovation to the Delta Center, and a multiblock sports and entertainment district in Salt Lake City’s downtown.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman doesn’t want any arena drama in Salt Lake City.

After all, his league forced the Coyotes out of Arizona because of decades of exactly that. Fed up, the NHL last week moved the team into the open arms of Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith.

So far, negotiations have resulted in a course of action that satisfies the biggest stakeholders’ wishes: a major renovation to the Delta Center, and a multiblock sports and entertainment district in Salt Lake City’s downtown.

But behind the scenes, there was significant political wrangling to get to this point, and disagreements on the plan’s specifics remain. The plan hinges on a key tax vote in July from the Salt Lake City Council, which is expected to pass it.

Public details, though, are still sparse, with many of the most important aspects of the project still to be decided. This much is clear: The plan calls for significant changes to the Salt Palace Convention Center and could impact both historic Japantown and Abravanel Hall, a beloved center of the arts downtown.

At stake is the future of the heart of Utah’s capital.

(Ryan Smith via X) Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith posted this rendering of the proposed downtown sports and entertainment district on X on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.

Arena plans change

Two years ago, when Smith first envisioned bringing the NHL to Utah, he had very different dreams of where the team would play. “It’s pretty easy,” he said, “to go on a blank piece of land down south.”

He envisioned building a sports and entertainment district that would cover 100 acres and host 5,000 housing units at the south end of Salt Lake County, or across the line in Utah County. At the center would be a new arena for his hockey team.

Such a plan papered out to make Smith and his group millions. Major League Baseball’s Braves, for example, make about $59 million annually from their ownership of The Battery, the district that surrounds their stadium in suburban Atlanta. That money comes mostly in rent.

And Smith felt he had options. For example, Point of the Mountain State Land Authority co-chair Lowry Snow told The Salt Lake Tribune that his district was approached by the Smith group approximately 18 months ago about the possibility of putting a new arena there. Though discussions with The Point had died down by the end of 2023, a suburban sports district was still Smith’s plan at the beginning of the 2024 legislative session, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams told The Tribune.

“He said there were options he was open to. May have been Provo, may have been the south end of the [Salt Lake] valley, may have been Herriman, may have been Sandy,” Adams, R-Layton, said. “I honestly believe him. I don’t know if he had an exact location for it. I think there were multiple locations.”

One big question about Smith’s plan loomed: Would he move only his hockey team into the proposed new arena to the south, or would he bounce the beloved Utah Jazz there, too?

Smith told government leaders that the teams would play in separate arenas, but there was still concern.

“There were strong feelings that the possibility of building a second arena could pave the way for the Jazz leaving downtown,” state Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, said.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fans attend an introduction event for the Utah NHL team at the Delta Center, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

“Our fear was always: What if they’re not [profitable] and he has a brand-new hockey stadium, so the possibility is, when the Jazz lease expires, they would leave?” Adams told The Tribune. “And as we looked around the United States, you see [Los Angeles] is imploding, San Francisco is imploding, Chicago is imploding, New York is imploding” as residents move out of downtowns.

“If you add a vacant Delta Center that has very little utility other than basketball … we have a great economy — we have the best economy in the nation, fastest job growth — but a great economy does very little for the state,” Adams said, “if you have a capital city that implodes on you.”

Smith acknowledged that the Legislature’s influence changed his plans. “You guys literally stopped us in the middle of the process and said ‘these both have to be downtown, so go figure out what you have to do.’ … The Jazz probably go where hockey goes, if we’re going to be honest,” he said.

“That concern was motivating enough for everyone to sit around and spend a lot of time talking about those issues, and it became clear that downtown was the best option for the state and for Salt Lake City,” McCay said.

Some in the Legislature had reservations about going all-in on Salt Lake City. “The biggest problem is the mayor of SLC’s lack of respect for the policing of her city,” Rep. Jon Hawkins, R-Pleasant Grove, the House sponsor of the legislation, wrote the day before the bill passed in an email obtained through an open records request. “So we are requiring more of her as well.” Indeed, the measure requires the city to provide the Legislature’s oversight committee with a plan to address public safety, homelessness and other issues in the district.

Adams credited Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson for their role in pushing for the arena to stay downtown. University of Utah President Taylor Randall was involved in talks, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was also seen as a stakeholder.

Latter-day Saint apostle Ronald Rasband and general authority Seventy Clark Gilbert attended the NHL’s news conference at the Delta Center last week. The church has publicly supported the idea of a downtown sports and entertainment district. Smith told church officials that “you guys will love” the sports district.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall enters the Delta Center before an event to introduce the Utah NHL team on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

SLC’s sports district

The result was SB272 , co-sponsored by McCay and Hawkins and signed by Gov. Spencer Cox. The bill allows Smith to apply for a “revitalization zone” in downtown Salt Lake City of “up to 100 acres,” or 10 city blocks, which must include and “be roughly centered around” the block with the Delta Center.

As part of the deal, the city can pass a sales tax increase of up to 0.5 percentage points to pay for developments in the revitalization zone, including remodeling a stadium. The Legislature estimated that would result in about $54 million a year.

Smith applied for the zone April 4 . The bill requires only Smith’s ownership of a team and some sparse particulars. The city has denied The Tribune’s public records request for the application.

Now Smith and city officials will negotiate the particulars of a development plan, which then must be approved by a five-person Revitalization Zone Committee. That committee contains four members of the Legislature and one member appointed by the governor.

Smith Entertainment Group spokespersons declined to share details of the plan, citing needed development time in the weeks to come, but various sources familiar with conversations revealed some of what’s been discussed so far. The Tribune is not using their names because they were not authorized to speak on the matter.

In particular, the plan primarily involves city blocks east of the arena, the current primary tenant of which is the Salt Palace Convention Center. Salt Lake County owns the center’s 515,000 square feet of exhibition space, along with the land the center is placed on — placing the county, too, at the heart of negotiations about the sports district.

Multiple versions of a revitalization plan have circulated among government officials. Most involve a massive downsizing of the convention center, allowing room for the development of Smith’s entertainment district, which would include housing, retail, offices, hotels and restaurants.

Some versions of the plan include reopening 100 South, which is currently covered by the Salt Palace between West Temple and 200 West, as a pedestrian walkway.

Adams compared the west side of the convention center to the backside of a shopping center and believes the project provides an opportunity to improve the area.

“It’s about having more flow, more energy, more passion, more activity, more arts, more education,” Smith said. “And being able to look back 30 years from now and saying, ‘That’s the center of Salt Lake City.’”

County Mayor Jenny Wilson said discussions are still in the early stages but have accelerated because of the Coyotes’ rapid relocation.

“We’re less than a week [since] the announcement of the team, and there’s work to be done,” she said. “To date, I think the partners have been well-aligned. There’s a recognition that downtown isn’t just the city, county, state or Smith Entertainment Group. There are a lot of stakeholders and partners.”

The county also owns the land which includes Abravanel Hall and the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art. Some versions of the Smith group plans see significant changes, renovations or even new buildings entirely for those cultural centers. Abravanel Hall turns 45 this year, and some see the concert hall as potentially needing reconstruction or movement.

Also pointing toward these blocks: this year’s omnibus liquor bill, HB548 . It creates a “designated project area zone” of three blocks between South Temple and 100 South from West Temple to 400 West. There, Utah’s laws prohibiting bars near community locations will no longer apply beginning May 1.

A source familiar with the negotiations said that loosening of liquor laws just blocks from Temple Square and LDS Church headquarters would not have been possible without sign-off from Utah’s predominant faith.

Salt Lake City Council member Dan Dugan said he loves the idea of reinvigorating downtown.

“When I look at the map and I look at downtown, the whole convention center and the Salt Palace and all that area, that takes up about 30 acres, a lot of space,” he said. “It’s vital, but there’s also probably a lot of space that we could actually use in a better manner. So, some of the visions that I’ve seen and some of the renderings I’ve seen are exciting.”

But Salt Lake County Council member Jim Bradley is concerned by the potential changes he’s seen and heard — mostly due to its potential impact on the arts buildings in those blocks.

“Tearing down stuff because it is in the way is not something you just do willy-nilly. Take the example of Abravanel Hall: That would be a tragedy to tear that down and build it somewhere else,” he said. “Some people are saying, ‘Well, it needs more in rehab than what it would take to tear it down and rebuild it.’ Well, that is developers talking, ‘There’s that building that’s in my way.’

“They may not draw as big a crowd as a hockey game or a Jazz game,” Bradley added, “but (the arts) are still extremely important and part of our fiber.”

(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Abravanel Hall in 2022 before a performance of the Utah Symphony.

The Japantown district at the corner of 100 South and 200 West is also slated to be part of the revitalization zone.

More than a century ago, thousands of Japanese residents lived in the area, but the once-vibrant community was largely displaced by the construction of the Salt Palace in 1969. Now just a few buildings remain — the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, the Japanese Church of Christ and a community garden owned by the county.

“I hope we have the leadership that will recognize and will support and help us,” said Jani Iwamoto, a former state senator and leader of the effort to preserve the area. “We don’t want to move. We’ve been there for over 100 years, and I know that we’re committed. We’re not going anywhere.”

City Council member Darin Mano has said that “the inclusion of genuine reparations for Japantown” in the project would make the entertainment district the “most meaningful, culturally rich and historically significant” in the country.

Dugan also hoped to see other areas surrounding the Delta Center improved as part of the project, which could prove difficult. To the north lies land owned by the LDS Church, including the Triad Center and the Park Place parking lot — land that the faith has so far proved reluctant to include in any development plans, saving it for its own use . To the south lies recent development, including two new hotels and an apartment complex.

The Gateway mall stands to the west, but Gateway representatives told The Tribune that Smith had not approached them about the property.

Overall, Smith compared the feel of his preferred entertainment district to that of L.A. Live, the sports and entertainment district in downtown Los Angeles. Built from 2007 to 2009, L.A. Live is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena, home of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, and the NHL’s Kings.

To understand the project, Smith said he and “a few” city and public officials toured L.A. Live in the past month. There, they saw the district’s restaurants and bars, concert halls and movie theaters, and hotel and condominium towers on 27 acres.

“The reason why we wanted to see that particular district was because it was right in the heart of L.A.,” Smith said. “I can’t wait to kind of show the plans on how we’re going to do it.”

Downtown Alliance Executive Director Dee Brewer said the district would push development forward in the city, comparing it to the creation of City Creek Center in 2012.

“This investment in the entertainment district is going to have the same sort of catalytic impact on additional investments,” Brewer said. “I think we’ll see more five-star hotels, we’ll see more residential towers. This gives downtown a hook to recruit the best human capital and talent.”

Inside the Delta Center

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Delta Center is photographed during an introduction for the Utah NHL team on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. On screen are team owners Ryan and Ashley Smith.

Given the downtown location and acres at his disposal, why did Smith decide to renovate the Delta Center rather than create a new arena?

“We really aren’t in a position downtown to just find a lot of land to stage and build a new arena,” Smith said. “I mean, you see how hard it is for the (LDS) Church to rebuild, how much land that takes up.”

Another benefit of renovation: It’s probably cheaper. One point in favor of this plan over creating a new arena, multiple officials said, was that a larger percentage of the sales tax increase money could be spent on elements of the entertainment district that don’t include the stadium itself.

That in-arena renovation will be significant, but not at first. This summer, the Smith group plans to make only minor improvements and adjustments to the Delta Center.

For the NHL’s previous preseason games at the arena, it hosted a capacity of about 11,000 fans with mostly unobstructed views. For NHL hockey this October, the team will install bleachers in the corners that add approximately another 1,000 seats. Officials also believe they can open up about 4,200 additional seats — though they have not yet decided whether they will, believing it might impact the overall experience for those fans.

New NHL locker rooms must be constructed for the home and away teams, and other various small changes made to the arena to allow NHL games to regularly be played. But overall, no major changes are expected. The arena also hosts more than 20 significant public events this offseason, such as the Utah Jazz’s summer league, concerts from varied artists like Blink-182, Olivia Rodrigo and Stevie Nicks, and comedy shows from Jo Koy and Kevin James.

Further construction would be in the offseasons to come, but the Smith group wants to wait until the plans are finalized outside of the arena to reveal those inside of it.

“We can figure out how to get the Delta Center renovated — and then really focus on the entrance of the experience for this downtown, so that when you come in the doors, it actually starts in the blocks surrounding,” Smith said. “That’s way more important to me than building a new arena.”

The team declined to offer a construction timeline.

Regardless, the plan is to have the Jazz and the NHL team play in the arena moving forward, which would limit most of the major construction to the offseasons for both leagues, beginning from April to June and ending in September of any given year.

Smith, in his news conference, teased “new technologies” that he believed could create a quality NHL viewing experience with improved sightlines for hockey — while maintaining the Delta Center’s trademark NBA experience. That new technology is expected to involve the arena’s seat risers, which may be able to adjust to different settings, depending on the sport being played.

Will ‘arena drama’ be avoided?

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) NHL commissioner Gary Bettman looks to Utah NHL team owner Ryan Smith during a news conference announcing the new hockey franchise at the Delta Center on Friday, April 19, 2024.

Right now, Smith’s group is working through the project’s financing — which requires securing private funding that will be reimbursed by city tax revenues. Emails obtained through an open records request show talks between Smith and representatives from D.A. Davidson Cos. investment advisers began before the legislation even passed.

The city’s first in-public interaction with the plan comes May 7, when Smith Entertainment Group representative Mike Maughan will present details to the council. That discussion will also involve council members sharing their concerns and key decision points on the project.

Then, on May 21, a public hearing on the agreement is scheduled to take place. The council is tentatively scheduled to vote on the district agreement and tax increase July 2.

All indications point to the tax increase and agreement having support from the City Council early on. One such indication: The council has until Sept. 1 to sign off on an agreement with Smith but is working on a faster timeline.

City Council Chair Victoria Petro told The Tribune that the sports district presents “a really amazing opportunity” with many pitfalls the city must protect against.

Those pitfalls, she said, include a historic return on investment on publicly funded sports venues that hasn’t been “stellar.”

“There is a paradigm shift since most of those terrible ones. … If you look at the [Miami] Marlins stadium in Little Havana, just the disaster,” she said. “The community was left behind. So I think that’s one of those [things], right? Making sure that we are doing our due diligence and studying and making sure we know what things work and what things are necessary, what things are forward-looking.”

The council chair said she wants to craft an accord that will keep Utah’s capital at the table after the state-mandated timeline for working out zoning, land use and a participation agreement has lapsed.

“I just can’t see a world in which every issue we need is settled by Sept. 1, and so making sure there is a mechanism for our actual engagement beyond that that’s in good faith, that’s really what my best outcome would be.”

Meanwhile, Mano said at a council meeting this month that, while he is still weighing the proposed tax hike, the project could help right historical wrongs — including undoing what he called the “racism-fueled, ‘urban renewal’ project” that made way for the Salt Palace in the 1960s.

Dugan, for his part, said he could support the project, but there are many conversations to be had. “I’m a big fan of the Jazz staying here in the city, so that’s how I’m leaning,” he said, “but there’s a lot to be processed in the next few months.”

Council member Sarah Young said overall she’s excited about the prospect of keeping pro sports downtown, noting the addition of a hockey team could generate revenue that would benefit the city and local businesses. Young said she’s focused on ensuring any tax increase is used to benefit downtown and not just those who attend games.

And council member Eva Lopez Chavez, whose district includes the Delta Center, has been a vocal proponent of keeping the Jazz in Utah’s capital. She used her first speech as a council member to knock a possible move to Draper.

In an interview, she called the sports district a “once-in-a-lifetime, generational investment” that will be a catalyst for downtown.

“The reason I’m in support,” Lopez Chavez said, “is because we’re seeing the ability to restore justice into our downtown in terms of opening up conversations and prioritizing Japantown, as well as looking at other facilities that are owned by other entities, like our convention center, to improve pedestrian modalities and walkways and thoroughfares in our downtown.”

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah NHL team players enter the Delta Center during an event introducing Utah's new hockey franchise on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Bradley, the County Council member, wanted to push the brakes. “Everything seems to be a bit anecdotal,” he said. “That’s not enough to go out and spend a billion dollars. … Some of the talk, some of the designs I’ve seen almost on the back of the napkin, I am concerned.”

Petro, however, said Smith and his group have been receptive and responsive. At one point, she said, she was nervous the Jazz would leave Salt Lake City and that Utah’s capital wouldn’t get a say, but she no longer feels that kind of pressure.

“I have the pressure of, ‘The state has said this is what we need to do,’” she said. “We need to follow the law. We don’t want to give any other reason for preemptions or any other reason for them to come in and make life more difficult on other initiatives that we’re collaborating with the state on.”

Petro said while the project is coming together quickly, city officials are trying to keep the public in the loop so residents can weigh in.

“There is lots of room,” she said, “for shaping what is going to happen there.”

What would happen if the tax increase or project plan didn’t pass city muster? Smith referenced that “Plan A, B, and C” all exist, though indicated the group is entirely focused on Plan A — the downtown renovation of the Delta Center.

Still, Bettman, the NHL commissioner, noted in an ESPN700 interview that he’s seen two plans: one that includes renovation and one that includes a new arena. He said he’s confident in either plan. Sources indicated that a newly built arena, plan B or C, would likely be located farther south.

At this point, that looks very unlikely.

“I can say that I’m pleasantly surprised that everyone recognized the opportunity and everyone jumped in and started to problem-solve, and, to me, I think that represented the strength of what Utah has to offer the NHL,” McCay, the state senator, said. “In the past, if you look at the Arizona issue, they just could not find a partnership with the city, the state and the counties, they just couldn’t find one where everyone was all pulling together — and in this situation it was quite the opposite.”

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