how to write a report for university assignment example

What makes a good report?

Reports are an important form of assessment at university. A good report:

• Displays the result of an experiment, investigation, or inquiry.
• Examines potential solutions to a problem or issue and communicates and interprets research findings.
• Uses features such as graphics, images, or specialised vocabulary to persuade a specific audience to undertake an action.
• Reflects your understanding of the assignment question and the literature relevant to your research.
• Presents ideas in a logical structure so that they are easy to follow.

How to structure a report

• A report often has introduction, methods, results and discussion sections. It may also include abstract, conclusions and recommendations sections.
• Structure of a report can vary from course to course, it is important to check and follow assignment guidelines about the expectations of the sections to be included.
• Explore Lab report writing 101 to understand the elements and overall structure of a lab report.

Typical structure of a lab report

• Introduction
• Conclusions

What are common report types?

The type of report you are expected to write at university depends on your discipline.  While reports usually have the same basic structure (introduction, methods, results and discussion), the purpose, style of delivery and organisation of the ideas may vary.

Examples of common report types

• Research methods

Explore the AWA site to see some excellent examples of Research Methods Reports . “Research Reports may be required in final-year or graduate-level courses and are usually carried out independently, with the aim to generate new knowledge. A research question is developed, justified and embedded in the existing literature on the topic, and the writer demonstrates a strong understanding of research methods and an ability to discuss results and their implications. Research Reports can use topic-specific sections or the standard IMRD (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion) sections. They can be presented as dissertations, long essays or research articles (Nesi & Gardner, 2012, p. 136-138)”  (AWA) .

Additional resources

The following resources provide more detailed information and examples of reports in different disciplines:

• Lab report writing 101
• Ecology writing guide: Report writing
• Technical report writing for Science
• University of Auckland Learning Hub: Report writing
• write@uni: Examples of student writing

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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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

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Report writing is an essential skill in many disciplines. You should develop effective report writing skills because it’s highly likely you’ll be writing reports in the workplace.

A report is a formal written document used to provide concise information on a specific subject. It can be used to communicate the results of an experiment, inform on the progress of a project or to make recommendations.

An effective report is an accurate presentation of information. It should be objective, concise and structured to guide the reader through the main points.

The task instructions usually specify what sections need to be included in your report. However, a report often has the following sections:

• Title page and acknowledgements—include the title of the report, who commissioned it (or for assessment include your lecturer, course code, and student number) and the date.
• Executive summary or abstract—provide a summary of the report's main points. It briefly covers the aims, objectives, research methods and the findings. It identifies what action is required. Although the abstract is located at the beginning of the report, it is usually written last as it is a summary of the whole report.
• Table of contents—outline the structure of the report.
• Introduction—state the aims and objectives of the report, the problem or situation that prompted the report and identify what the report intends to achieve. Include definitions, research methods and background history (if relevant).
• Methodology—explain what you did and how you did it. For instance, the materials used in an experiment, the subjects involved in a survey or the steps you took in a project.
• Results or findings—detail the findings from the experiment, survey or research project.
• Discussion—present and discuss the facts or evidence.
• Conclusions—provide implications from the content of the report.
• Recommendations—describe a clear course of action. Demonstrate your professional competence in a specific situation that clearly aligns with the conclusions.
• References—acknowledge all the sources used in the report. Learn more about referencing .
• Appendices—contains additional graphical, statistical or other supplementary material. Each item should be clearly labelled (for example, Appendix 1) and referred to in the report.

Report writing

Reports are informative writing that present the results of an experiment or investigation to a specific audience in a structured way. Reports are broken up into sections using headings, and can often include diagrams, pictures, and bullet-point lists. They are used widely in science, social science, and business contexts. 

Scroll down for our recommended strategies and resources. 

Difference between reports and essays

Essays and reports are both common types of university assignments. Whilst an essay is usually a continuous piece of writing, a report is divided into sections. See this overview for more on the differences between reports and essays:

Features of reports (University of Reading)

Reports have an expected structure with set sections so information is easy to find. Science reports may have methods and results sections, but business reports may only have a discussion and recommendations section. Always check what type of structure is needed for each report assignment as they may change. See this overview of different types of report structures:

Sample report structures (RMIT University)

Finding your own headings

Sometimes you are given the choice of how to name your sub-headings and structure the main body of your report. This is common in business where the structure has to fit the needs of the information and the client. See this short video on how to find meaningful sub-headings:

Finding your own report structure [video] (University of Reading)

Purpose of each section

Each section of a report has a different role to play and contains different types of information. See this brief overview of what goes where and how to number the sections:

What goes into each section (University of Hull)

Writing style

As well as having a different purpose, each report section is written in a different way and they don’t have to be written in order. See these guides on the style and order for writing a report and on the features of scientific writing:

Writing up your report (University of Reading)

Scientific writing (University of Leeds)

Tables and figures

Reports commonly use graphs and tables to show data more effectively. Always ensure any visual information in your report has a purpose and is referred to in the text. See this introductory guide to presenting data:

Using figures and charts (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Further resources

If you’d like to read more about the structure and style of reports, see this resource and book list created by Brookes Library:

Writing essays, reports and other assignments reading list

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Academic writing: a practical guide

• Academic writing
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Objective, evidence-based writing commonly used in the sciences and some social science subjects.

Introduction to reports

Reports are found within many subjects, particularly sciences and some social sciences. They present factual-based information for a specified audience, with each academic discipline area having its own report types (many of which are based on real-world reports). 

This guide explores what an academic report is as a concept and offers practical advice about the completion of academic reports:

Reports: a Conceptual and Practical Guide [interactive slides]  |  Reports: a Conceptual and Practical Guide [Google Doc]

Features of reports

• Reports present and (usually) critically analyse data and other factual evidence.
• There are different types of reports , which each have a specific purpose.
• There is often a specific structure that must be followed - see our general structure advice and guidance for each report type.
• The writing style is concise and objective - for more detail, see our academic writing style advice.

The report writing process

Writing a good report isn't just about the final product - much of the thinking and hard work is done before you start writing.

Before your first report, work through the introductory guide to reports above to get an idea of what's expected of you:  Reports: a Conceptual and Practical Guide [interactive tutorial]

Read the assessment instructions carefully. Which type of report is it? Is there an expected structure? Do you need to analyse data? What's the word count? When's the deadline?

Look at the  assignment writing process  and think about how you'll plan your approach to your report.

Make a schedule: how much time do you need to research, think, plan, draft, write and edit your report? Add in some extra time for a buffer.

Follow the steps in the writing process to prepare and write your report. Try to stick to your schedule.

Check and proofread your report carefully - check your citations and references too! 

Submit your report. Maybe celebrate with some cake?

Read your feedback  carefully. How can you use it to improve your next report? 

For more detail, see our dedicated advice pages:

Note taking for synthesising information

In many types of academic writing, you need to compare and synthesise information from numerous sources. This process much is quicker and easier using an effective note-taking technique.

Grid notes  is a useful note taking technique to synthesise information. You collect information under specific headings in a grid or table, which helps you to:

• pull all your notes together in one place.
• focus on finding just the information you need in sources.
• identify patterns in source information.
• plan structure and write.

Find out more:

Grid notes [YouTube]  | Grid notes [Google Doc]

More advice about other note-taking methods:

Using evidence in reports

Sources of evidence.

Reports are based on factual evidence and data, found in sources such as:

• your own research findings (quantitative or qualitative)
• findings from research papers (quantitative or qualitative)
• published governmental or organisational datasets
• reports from companies or organisations
• business case studies

Tips on finding appropriate sources of evidence for your reports:

Reading academic journals

Writing a report usually requires reading lots of journal papers. This can seem like a massive task, but you usually don't need to read every word of a paper to get the information you need!

Find tips and strategies to read papers effectively:

Using evidence critically

It's not enough to describe or summarise the evidence - to access higher grades you'll also need to critically analyse it. What does the evidence mean in relation to your overall point or argument?

There are many ways that you could use evidence critically, such as:

• evaluate or justify methodological choices
• consider how your findings fit into previous research
• compare findings, models or frameworks
• evaluate different solutions or applications and select the most effective one
• make evidence-based recommendations

For more advice, see our dedicated criticality resources:

Research reports

Research or experimental reports present and discuss the outcomes of your research: what did you do , what did you find out , and what does it mean?

They're very common in science subjects and sometimes used in Education, Management or other subjects.

Research reports usually follow a set structure:

• introduction

Writing a research report

This tutorial introduces what's expected in each section, with advice and examples:

Writing a research report [interactive tutorial]  |  Writing a research report [Google Doc]

Many dissertations also follow this structure, so these tips also apply to research reports:

Example research reports

Example research reports may be available on your module VLE sites or from your tutors.

Research-based journal papers are also usually based on the same principles, so reading papers from your field is also a good way to see what's expected. Note that the referencing style used by the journal might be different to your department's referencing style!

This ecology paper is a well-structured example of a research paper:

Other support for report writing

Online resources.

The general writing pages of this site offer guidance that can be applied to all types of writing, including reports. Also check your department guidance and VLE sites for tailored resources.

Other useful resources for report writing:

Appointments and workshops 

As well as advice within your department, you can access central writing and skills support:

Have questions about planning or interpreting quantitative data analysis? You can book a statistics appointment with the Maths Skills Centre or explore the workshops and online resources:

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• Next: Dissertations >>
• Last Updated: Apr 3, 2024 4:02 PM
• URL: https://subjectguides.york.ac.uk/academic-writing

Report writing

• Features of good reports
• Types of Report

Introduction

Organising your information, abstract / executive summary, literature review, results / data / findings, reference list / bibliography.

• Writing up your report

Useful links for report writing

• Study Advice Helping students to achieve study success with guides, video tutorials, seminars and one-to-one advice sessions.
• Maths Support A guide to Maths Support resources which may help if you're finding any mathematical or statistical topic difficult during the transition to University study.

• Academic Phrasebank Use this site for examples of linking phrases and ways to refer to sources.
• Academic writing LibGuide Expert guidance on punctuation, grammar, writing style and proof-reading.
• Reading and notemaking LibGuide Expert guidance on managing your reading and making effective notes.
• Guide to citing references Includes guidance on why, when and how to use references correctly in your academic writing.

The structure of a report has a key role to play in communicating information and enabling the reader to find the information they want quickly and easily. Each section of a report has a different role to play and a writing style suited to that role. Therefore, it is important to understand what your audience is expecting in each section of a report and put the appropriate information in the appropriate sections.

The guidance on this page explains the job each section does and the style in which it is written. Note that all reports are different so you must pay close attention to what you are being asked to include in your assignment brief. For instance, your report may need all of these sections, or only some, or you may be asked to combine sections (e.g. introduction and literature review, or results and discussion). The video tutorial on structuring reports below will also be helpful, especially if you are asked to decide on your own structure.

• Finding a structure for your report (video) Watch this brief video tutorial for more on the topic.
• Finding a structure for your report (transcript) Read the transcript.

• When writing an essay, you need to place your information  to make a strong argument
• When writing a report, you need to place your information  in the appropriate section

Consider the role each item will play in communicating information or ideas to the reader, and place it in the section where it will best perform that role. For instance:

• Does it provide background to your research? ( Introduction  or  Literature Review )
• Does it describe the types of activity you used to collect evidence? ( Methods )
• Does it present factual data? ( Results )
• Does it place evidence in the context of background? ( Discussion )
• Does it make recommendations for action? ( Conclusion )

• the purpose of the work
• methods used for research
• main conclusions reached
• any recommendations

The introduction … should explain the rationale for undertaking the work reported on, and the way you decided to do it. Include what you have been asked (or chosen) to do and the reasons for doing it.

- State what the report is about. What is the question you are trying to answer? If it is a brief for a specific reader (e.g. a feasibility report on a construction project for a client), say who they are.

- Describe your starting point and the background to the subject: e.g., what research has already been done (if you have to include a Literature Review, this will only be a brief survey); what are the relevant themes and issues; why are you being asked to investigate it now?

- Explain how you are going to go about responding to the brief. If you are going to test a hypothesis in your research, include this at the end of your introduction. Include a brief outline of your method of enquiry. State the limits of your research and reasons for them, e.g.

Introduce your review by explaining how you went about finding your materials, and any clear trends in research that have emerged. Group your texts in themes. Write about each theme as a separate section, giving a critical summary of each piece of work, and showing its relevance to your research. Conclude with how the review has informed your research (things you'll be building on, gaps you'll be filling etc).

• Literature reviews LibGuide Guide on starting, writing and developing literature reviews.
• Doing your literature review (video) Watch this brief video tutorial for more on the topic.
• Doing your literature review (transcript) Read the transcript.

The methods  should be written in such a way that a reader could replicate the research you have done. State clearly how you carried out your investigation. Explain why you chose this particular method (questionnaires, focus group, experimental procedure etc). Include techniques and any equipment you used. If there were participants in your research, who were they? How many? How were they selected?

Write this section  concisely  but  thoroughly  – Go through what you did step by step, including everything that is relevant. You know what you did, but could a reader follow your description?

Label your graphs and tables clearly. Give each figure a title and describe in words what the figure demonstrates. Save your interpretation of the results for the Discussion section.

The discussion ...is probably the longest section. It brings everything together, showing how your findings respond to the brief you explained in your introduction and the previous research you surveyed in your literature review. This is the place to mention if there were any problems (e.g. your results were different from expectations, you couldn't find important data, or you had to change your method or participants) and how they were, or could have been, solved.

• Writing up your report page More information on how to write your discussion and other sections.

The conclusions ...should be a short section with no new arguments or evidence. This section should give a feeling of closure and completion to your report. Sum up the main points of your research. How do they answer the original brief for the work reported on? This section may also include:

• Recommendations for action
• Suggestions for further research

If you're unsure about how to cite a particular text, ask at the Study Advice Desk on the Ground Floor of the Library or contact your Academic Liaison Librarian for help.

• Contact your Academic Liaison Librarian

The appendices ...include any additional information that may help the reader but is not essential to the report's main findings. The report should be able to stand alone without the appendices. An appendix can include for instance: interview questions; questionnaires; surveys; raw data; figures; tables; maps; charts; graphs; a glossary of terms used.

• A separate appendix should be used for each distinct topic or set of data.
• Order your appendices in the order in which you refer to the content in the text.
• Start each appendix on a separate page and label sequentially with letters or numbers e.g. Appendix A, Appendix B,…
• Give each Appendix a meaningful title e.g. Appendix A: Turnover of Tesco PLC 2017-2021.
• Refer to the relevant appendix where appropriate in the main text e.g. 'See Appendix A for an example questionnaire'.
• If an appendix contains multiple figures which you will refer to individually then label each one using the Appendix letter and a running number e.g. Table B1, Table B2. Do not continue the numbering of any figures in your text, as your text should be able to stand alone without the appendices.
• If your appendices draw on information from other sources you should include a citation and add the full details into your list of references (follow the rules for the referencing style you are using).

For more guidance see the following site:

• Appendices guidance from University of Southern California Detailed guidance on using appendices. Part of the USC's guide to Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper.
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• Next: Writing up your report >>
• Last Updated: May 14, 2024 8:51 AM
• URL: https://libguides.reading.ac.uk/reports

how to write an academic report: Examples and tips

Writing a report should be concise and to the point. It should also be relevant to the topic. Make sure to check your work with someone and read it aloud. Proofreading is also important because computer programs cannot catch every mistake. You may even want to wait a day before you read it to make sure that it is error-free. Keep in mind that an academic report differs from a business or technical report.

Avoiding the present tense

While the present tense is commonly used in academic writing, it isn’t always necessary. When anyone tells you about writing how to write an academic report , you can switch the tense within the same sentence or paragraph when you shift from general statements to more specific examples based on research. Other times, it’s appropriate to use the present tense when you write about a particular event that has changed over time.

The best time to use either tense is determined by the context in which you’re writing. While both are acceptable, you’ll want to ensure that your reader knows when you made your findings. In most cases, the present tense will mean that you’re writing about the time you did the research, while the past tense can be interpreted in different ways.

Introducing your topic

The introduction is the first section of your paper, and it should capture the reader’s interest and make them want to read the rest of your paper. You can do this by opening with a compelling story, question, or example that shows why your topic is important. The hook should also establish the relevance of your paper in the wider context.

The introduction should also have a thesis statement, which should explain your research paper’s topic and point of view. This statement will guide the organization of your essay. A strong thesis statement is specific, clear, and able to be proved.

Stating your thesis statement

Your thesis statement should be clear and concise. It should be able to persuade others while laying out your strong opinions. It should also contain an argument. For example, you could argue that the government should ban 4×4 pickup trucks. Or, you might argue that the amount of foul language in movies is disproportionate to the amount of it in real life.

A strong thesis statement contradicts a commonly held viewpoint. It is not too complex to explain over the course of the paper. It should also express a single main idea.

Putting together an outline before writing your report

Putting together an outline is a great way to organize your paper. Outline the content that you will cover and how you plan to support your main point. You can use a list format or alpha-numeric format to organize your outline. Regardless of the format, your outline should have a parallel structure and include the same types of words in each section. It is also a good idea to include citations whenever possible.

When you’re writing, outlining will help you get the most out of your writing. It will save you time and effort when writing because you can make full sentences and well-developed essays with an outline.

Avoiding jargon

One of the most important things to remember when writing an academic report is to avoid using jargon. These words are often difficult to understand, and although they are useful shorthand for scientists, they may alienate non-specialist readers. The use of jargon is the most common reason that readers complain about writing, but there are ways to replace these terms with plainer versions.

Jargon is specialized terminology used by a specific group. It can be incredibly difficult to understand if you’re not part of the group. It also tends to make your writing more complicated and shows that you’re trying to show off your knowledge.

How to Write an Academic Report – Examples and Tips

While the present tense is commonly used in academic writing, it isn’t always necessary. When writing an academic report, you can switch the tense within the same sentence or paragraph when you shift from general statements to more specific examples based on research. Other times, it’s appropriate to use the present tense when you write about a particular event that has changed over time.

Owen Ingram is a research-based content writer, who works for Cognizantt, a globally recognised professional SEO service and Research Prospect , a Servizio di redazione di saggi e dissertazioni . Mr Owen Ingram holds a PhD degree in English literature. He loves to express his views on a range of issues including education, technology, and more.

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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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Help Centre

Reports types of assignment.

Some modules ask students to produce reports. There are four main types of report:

• information or description reports
• reports of investigations or studies
• maths reports
• science reports.

These are composed of different sections, which can vary according to what is specified in your assignment or module guide. Always refer to your module materials to find out what sections might be required in your assignment.

The title of a report asks the question to be addressed and indicates the topic. Within the report itself you may need to incorporate the following sections.

In a science or maths report this includes what was done, how it was done and what the main findings were. In an information report this is a short paragraph that summarises the main findings.

Introduction

In a  maths report  this outlines the aim of the report and gives essential background information, including the context where applicable, and defines key terms. In a  science report  this outlines the aim of the report and explains why the investigation was undertaken and places it in the context of previous work. In an  information report  this outlines the aim of the report and includes background information. It defines key terms and indicates how you approach the question. It might be appropriate to explain what you don't intend to write about – thus indicating the scope of your report.

This main section may also include sub-sections such as a discussion, results or findings, and the methodology. A  maths report  is likely to include sections in its main body on

• modelling: the assumptions made, a description of the model including the choice of variables and parameters, the mathematics used and interpretation and evaluation of results
• proofs: includes a statement of what is to be proved and details of the proof
• history: includes a list of both supporting and opposing facts and then develops the argument.

In a  science report  the main body generally comprises

• materials and methods: the experimental details
• results: the results of the experiments performed. A commentary accompanies data presented in the form of graphs, tables, images or diagrams
• discussion: a critical interpretation of the results presented in the context of other researchers' observations.

In an  information report  the main body should be divided into sections, possibly with sub-headings. Points can be numbered or presented in bullet form. Each point should be supported by evidence or an example.

Conclusions or recommendations

In a  maths or science report  this section may not be necessary, but could include suggestions for further research. In an  information report  this summarises (in one or two sentences) the main points of information.

Reference section

Check your module materials to see the format you need to use for the reference section.

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Sample written assignments

Look at sample assignments to help you develop and enhance your academic writing skills. 

How to use this page

This page features authentic sample assignments that you can view or download to help you develop and enhance your academic writing skills. 

PLEASE NOTE: Comments included in these sample written assignments  are intended as an educational guide only.  Always check with academic staff which referencing convention you should follow. All sample assignments have been submitted using Turnitin® (anti-plagiarism software). Under no circumstances should you copy from these or any other texts.

Annotated bibliography

Annotated Bibliography: Traditional Chinese Medicine  (PDF, 103KB)

Essay: Business - "Culture is a Tool Used by Management"  (PDF, 496KB)

Essay: Business - "Integrating Business Perspectives - Wicked Problem"  (PDF, 660KB)

Essay: Business - "Overconsumption and Sustainability"  (PDF, 762KB)

Essay: Business - "Post bureaucracy vs Bureaucracy"  (PDF, 609KB)

Essay: Design, Architecture & Building - "Ideas in History - Postmodernism"  (PDF, 545KB)

Essay: Design, Architecture & Building - "The Context of Visual Communication Design Research Project"  (PDF, 798KB)

Essay: Design, Architecture & Building - "Ideas in History - The Nurses Walk and Postmodernism"  (PDF, 558KB)

Essay: Health (Childhood Obesity )  (PDF, 159KB)

Essay: Health  (Improving Quality and Safety in Healthcare)  (PDF, 277KB)

Essay: Health (Organisational Management in Healthcare)   (PDF, 229KB)

UTS HELPS annotated Law essay

 (PDF, 250KB)

Essay: Science (Traditional Chinese Medicine)  (PDF, 153KB)

Literature review

Literature Review: Education (Critical Pedagogy)   (PDF, 165KB)

Reflective writing

Reflective Essay: Business (Simulation Project)  (PDF, 119KB)

Reflective Essay: Nursing (Professionalism in Context)  (PDF, 134KB)

Report: Business (Management Decisions and Control)   (PDF, 244KB)

Report: Education (Digital Storytelling)  (PDF, 145KB)

Report: Education (Scholarly Practice)   (PDF, 261KB)

Report: Engineering Communication (Flood Mitigation & Water Storage)  (PDF, 1MB)

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How to Write a Report for University Assignment

Download now complete list of top private engineering colleges.

Reports are a common form of assessment at university and are also used widely in the workplace. There are many different types, such as: 

• scientific or research reports  based on experiments or research 
• technical reports  that communicate technical information for decision making 
• business reports  that convey information for business decision making 
• project reports  that update stakeholders about the plan or progress of a project.

General tips for reports

While the structure and style of reports vary between disciplines, you should always: 

Consider the purpose and audience

The purpose and audience will influence the content of your report and how you present that information.

• The purpose is what the report sets out to do. It might be to explain laboratory experiments, technical information, or a business case.  
• The audience is who the report is for. For example, the audience can include clients, your manager, technical staff, or senior leadership within an organisation.

Use sections and organise ideas logically 

• Break up your writing into sections with clear headings. Some reports like laboratory reports have pre-defined sections, while for other reports you will be guided by your assignment instructions. 
• Have one main idea per paragraph and introduce that idea at the start of the paragraph. 
• Make sure your ideas work together as a unified whole by organising ideas logically and linking ideas within and between sentences.

Present ideas using tables, figures and lists 

• Present information in a way that makes sense to the reader. 
• Present information visually using tables and figures where appropriate.  
• Consider using lists to emphasise important ideas and make your text easier to read. 

Write in the appropriate style 

Academic writing is clear, precise, concise, formal and objective . It is also based on evidence, so you should reference  the sources of information used in your writing. 

You may be asked to adopt a scientific or technical writing style. These styles follow the same basic principles of academic writing, but may have additional rules on aspects such as using scientific names, abbreviations, equations, numbers and units of measurement. Check your assignment instructions or read within your discipline (e.g. books, journals) to understand these rules. 

Headings provide signposts to help the reader navigate the report. Headings also make it obvious to person marking your assignment that you have answered the set question. 

There are two types of headings: 

• functional headings that label the function of a section 

descriptive headings that give the reader a clear idea of the content of each section.

Some reports have different levels of headings that move from general to more specific content. You can use formatting or numbers to show the different levels. Check your assignment instructions for guidance. 

Example functional and descriptive headings

Headings reproduced from Last (n.d.).

Lists are series of items. Lists can be useful to highlight key ideas and help readers scan information quickly. However, you should use lists sparingly as you risk losing connections between ideas in your writing and confusing the reader. 

There are two types of lists:

• numbered lists for items expressed in order
• bulleted lists where the order of ideas is not important.

When using a list, make sure you: 

• choose the right type of list (i.e. numbered or bulleted) 
• introduce the list with a lead-in sentence 
• ensure each item in the list follows logically from the leading sentence.

Example numbered list

In this example, a lead-in sentence introduces the list, and each item follows logically by starting with the same type of word (verb). The list has been reproduced from Last (n.d.).

Revision of your document involves four stages performed in the following order:

• Check formatting for readability
• Review content to ensure the document contains all necessary information
• Edit sentence style and structure to ensure ideas are clearly and correctly expressed in a formal and precise manner
• Proofread for grammar, spelling, punctuation and usage errors.

Example bulleted list

In this example, a lead-in sentence introduces the list, and each item follows logically by starting with the same type of word (noun). The list has been reproduced from the State of Victoria (2019).

The Victorian Government classifies paid media advertising into three categories: 

• Campaign advertising, which is designed to inform, educate, motivate or change behaviour. It requires strategic planning of creative and media services to achieve set objectives. 
• Functional advertising, which is specifically used to provide the public with information and is generally simple and informative and only appears for a short time. Examples include public notices, notifications of public meetings, requests for tender, enrolment notices, statutory or regulatory notices, and emergency or safety announcements. 
• Recruitment advertising, which is used to promote a specific job vacancy or a limited number of roles. Larger scale, industry-wide recruitment by government is usually classed as 'campaign' advertising.

Tables and figures

Visuals like tables and figures (e.g. maps, graphs, charts, photos) can help the reader understand your ideas more fully.  Make sure you correctly format and integrate your visuals into your writing. 

Number tables and figures sequentially, but separately (e.g. Table 1, Table 2, Figure 1, Figure 2)

Include a concise caption that clearly indicates what the table or figure illustrates.

• Table captions usually go above the table because we read tables from top to bottom.
• Figure captions can go above or below the figure depending on the discipline.

Cross-references

Refer to the table or figure in your writing, mentioning its number. For example, "Table 1 illustrates…" or …(see Figure 1).

Positioning

Position the table or figure close to where it is first mentioned in the text. Supplemental material (e.g. raw data or a copy of a questionnaire) can go in an appendix.

Interpretation

Point out key data or trends in your written text. Interpret the information for your reader as a figure or table doesn’t speak for itself.

Cite the sources of tables or figures you did not create yourself.

Example table

The following table and text have been reproduced from Walls and Barnard (2020).

Participants were sourced through big data industry leaders, consultancies and social media, such as LinkedIn, which contained groups for big data specialists and professionals with many members from South Africa and Gauteng. Interviewees were from the following industries: insurance, banking, telecommunications, information technology and consulting (see Table 1). Table 1. Industry and positions of interviewee sample

Example figure

The following pie chart has been reproduced from the State of Victoria (2019).

Figure 1 shows 2018–19 expenditure for each communication priority area as a proportion of the government’s total expenditure on campaign advertising. More than half of the money was spent on campaigns related to public safety and behaviour change, with minimal investment on advertising social cohesion and community spirit (2.8%) and compliance with legislation (5.6%).

Figure 1. Government campaign advertising by communication priority areas 2018-2019 (State of Victoria, 2019, p. 13)

Example reports

• Example laboratory report - Exercise Science [Word - 80KB]
• Example laboratory report - Exercise Science [PDF - 931KB]
• Example report - Marketing [Word - 102KB]
• Example report - Marketing [PDF - 331KB]

Pathfinder link

Still have questions? Do you want to talk to an expert? Peer Learning Advisors or Academic Skills and Language Advisors  are available.

Last, S. (n.d.). Technical writing essentials. https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/technicalwriting/ Used under CC BY 4.0 license

State of Victoria. (2019). Victorian Government advertising report 2018-2019 . https://www.vgls.vic.gov.au/client/en_AU/search/asset/1301339/0 Used under CC BY 4.0 license

Walls, C. & Barnard, B. (2020). Success factors of big data to achieve organisational performance: Qualitative research. Expert Journal of Business and Management, 8 (1), 17-56. https://business.expertjournals.com/ Used under CC BY 4.0 license

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