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Report Writing Made Simple

4.5 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 8,683 ratings
see reviews
Clare Lynch

Lacking confidence about your business report writing skills because you've never had any formal training in writing reports?

Panicking because you're supposed to be writing a business report and you've no idea where to start?

Sick of wasting hours worrying about how to knock all that research into a logical shape?

Or maybe you write business reports regularly but you're just not getting the results or feedback you'd like from your reports?

Read more

Lacking confidence about your business report writing skills because you've never had any formal training in writing reports?

Panicking because you're supposed to be writing a business report and you've no idea where to start?

Sick of wasting hours worrying about how to knock all that research into a logical shape?

Or maybe you write business reports regularly but you're just not getting the results or feedback you'd like from your reports?

If any of these sound like you, stop worrying now. Because this course will take you through the process of business report writing - step by step and with downloadable cheat sheets.

What's more, your guide is a Cambridge graduate and teacher with years of experience helping people write business reports that have impact.

Report writing: take the pain out of planning and the sweat out of structuring.

For most people, the hardest part of report writing is getting started. In this course, you're going to learn how to shave hours, days or even weeks off the report writing process through intelligent planning. You'll learn what questions to ask so you're not reinventing the wheel when you sit down to write your report.

But best of all, you'll discover a miraculous technique that will completely revolutionise how you go about structuring your reports. I developed this technique while working with a client who had been tearing his hair out at that early shaping stage. With my help, in under five minutes he went from having no clue about how to order his report to imposing a clear, coherent, logical structure on his ideas.

I've since gone on to share this technique with other report writers and trust me they're always blown away by its power and simplicity. I can't wait to share this technique with you - and you'll be glad I did.

Report writing with impact to win readers over

But this course won't just save you time as a writer. It will also help you save your readers time - and they will love you for it.

The American novelist Elmore Leonard famously advised writers to leave out the parts that readers skip. And I'm going to be showing you how to leave out the parts of a report all, yes ALL, readers skip. The pointless parts every report writer thinks are helping readers, but are really hindering them.

And I'll be busting some myths about that all important executive summary. It's the only part of your report you can guarantee everyone will read, so you'll want to make sure it's as powerfully persuasive as it can be. I'll show you how.

Stand out from the crowd with a report that looks as good as it reads

Finally, I'll be showing you how to take your almost-finished report up a notch with simple design and layout tips from a seasoned design professional. You'll even discover one little design trick that's been scientifically - yes, scientifically - proven to boost your credibility and persuasiveness with readers.

So what are you waiting for? Let's get that report written today.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Save time when planning a report by knowing the essential questions to ask
  • Increase the impact of a report by understanding its purpose
  • Structure complex information and ideas confidently and quickly (under five minutes)
  • Decide what sections to include in the report - and what should go where
  • Delight readers by making the report easy to navigate and digest
  • Create a visually attractive report that's kind to the eye
  • Avoid the common pitfalls that damage your credibility as a report writer
  • Know exactly what to include in your executive summary (and what not to include)

Syllabus

What you'll learn in the course - and things to know and do before you start.

Meet your instructor, Dr Clare Lynch. Learn what to expect from this course on report writing.

Read more

Use this workbook as you progress through the course. It's full of cheat sheets to help you write your report.

Report writing preparation: what this section covers.

How to research your report efficiently. How to avoid descending into the rabbit hole of digital data - and stay in the flow of writing your report without getting distracted.

There are many different reasons for writing a report. But, as we see in this lecture, one purpose underlines them all.

Three things to get straight in your head before you sit down to write your report.

An opportunity to practice the report-writing technique taught in the previous lecture.

A quick reminder of what we've covered in this section on preparing to write your report.

What you'll learn in this section on picking a winning format for your report.

Why a good brief is essential - and will stop you going off track when writing a report.

Terms of reference? Appendices? Learn what these and other report elements are for - and whether you need to include them.

Now's the time to firm up your brief so you can deliver a report that meets expectations.

It's just a summary of the whole report, right? Wrong! Here's why.

Use this template to craft the most important part of your report: your executive summary.

A quick reminder of what we've covered in this section on picking a winning format for your report.

What you'll learn in this section on planning and presenting your ideas powerfully in your report.

Ditch mind mapping and everything you learned about writing at college. Here's how to get your ideas down on paper - quickly and painlessly.

An opportunity to put into practice the report writing technique I showed you in the previous lecture.

How to organise your thoughts into logical paragraphs.

A handy tip for checking if your paragraphs are in the right order.

How easy do you find it to return these sentences to their original order?

How to keep your reader with you by crafting sentences that follow on naturally from each other.

It's time to write your report!

Dos and don'ts for using signposts to guide your reader through your report.

Make your report easy for your reader to navigate by including helpful signposts.

Buzzword bingo, acronym soup - and other no-nos that will turn your report's readers off.

Increase the readability of your report by editing out tech talk and biz babble.

A quick reminder of what we've covered in this section on presenting your ideas powerfully when writing a report.

What you'll learn in this section on polishing and proofing your report.

Expert insights on how to make your report look as good as it reads.

How to maximise your chances of catching the errors that will diminish your credibility.

Use the attached checklist to polish your report to perfection.

A quick reminder of what we've covered in this section on proofing and polishing your report.

How to get hold of your course certificate.

Got the writing bug and want to dig deeper into the topic? Check out our other courses.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Taught by a Cambridge graduate, which may provide learners with insights into report writing from a globally recognized academic perspective
Focuses on saving time in the report writing process, which is beneficial for professionals with tight deadlines and students managing multiple assignments
Includes design and layout tips, which can help learners create visually appealing reports that stand out and enhance their credibility
Emphasizes the importance of the executive summary, which is the most read part of a report and crucial for conveying key information effectively
Includes downloadable cheat sheets, which can serve as valuable resources and quick references for learners during the report writing process
Recommends other courses for learners who want to dig deeper into the topic, which may be a barrier for some learners who prefer a standalone course

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary

Practical business report writing

According to learners, this course provides a highly practical and actionable guide to writing business reports. Students particularly praise the unique structuring technique, which many find revolutionary and a significant time-saver. The focus on creating a powerful executive summary is also highlighted as a key takeaway. Reviewers describe the content as clear, concise, and easy to follow, delivered by an engaging and experienced instructor. While some with prior experience felt certain sections were basic, the consensus is that the course offers a solid foundation, especially benefiting those new to formal report writing or looking to improve their existing skills. Recent reviews indicate the course remains highly relevant and valuable.
Views vary on whether content is basic or sufficient.
"Some parts felt a little basic, but overall a solid foundation."
"Didn't meet my expectations. Too much focus on very basic structure."
"Very disappointing... if you already know the basics."
"The course is ideal for beginners but might be too simple for experienced writers."
Instructor is clear, engaging, and experienced.
"The instructor is clear and engaging."
"Your guide is a Cambridge graduate and teacher with years of experience helping people..."
"Dr. Lynch is an excellent teacher."
"The instructor's expertise shines through the lectures."
Easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance.
"Dr. Lynch breaks down the report writing process into simple, actionable steps."
"The structured approach and cheat sheets are incredibly practical."
"The step-by-step guide made writing my first major report so much less daunting."
"The course provides a clear and logical flow for report writing."
Emphasizes the crucial executive summary.
"The section on executive summaries was particularly helpful."
"The focus on the reader and the executive summary was a key takeaway."
"Gained valuable insights on crafting effective executive summaries."
"The course helped me write an executive summary that readers actually want to read."
Revolutionary method for organizing ideas.
"The instructor's method for structuring reports is truly revolutionary and saves so much time."
"The technique for structuring is worth the price alone. It truly makes the process simple..."
"This technique makes the process simple and logical."
"The structuring technique is incredibly helpful and unique."
Provides immediately useful skills for work.
"This course is a game-changer for business report writing."
"Found this course invaluable for my work. The step-by-step guide made writing my first major report so much less daunting."
"Highly practical and immediately applicable."
"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Report Writing Made Simple with these activities:
Review Business Communication Principles
Strengthen your understanding of core business communication principles to better grasp the nuances of effective report writing.
Browse courses on Business Communication
Show steps
  • Review textbooks or online resources on business communication.
  • Summarize key concepts like clarity, conciseness, and audience awareness.
  • Practice applying these principles to sample business scenarios.
Read 'Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace' by Joseph Williams
Improve your writing style for clarity and conciseness, making your reports more impactful.
View The Craft of Research, Fifth Edition (Chicago... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on sentence structure and word choice.
  • Identify common writing errors in your own reports.
  • Apply the book's principles to revise your writing.
Read 'The Pyramid Principle' by Barbara Minto
Learn a powerful method for structuring your reports logically and persuasively.
View The Pyramid Principle: Logic in Writing and... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on the principles of hierarchical organization.
  • Apply the pyramid principle to outline a sample report topic.
  • Compare your outline with traditional report structures.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Analyze Sample Reports
Improve your understanding of report structure and style by critically analyzing existing reports.
Show steps
  • Find 2-3 sample business reports online or from your workplace.
  • Assess each report's clarity, structure, and persuasiveness.
  • Identify strengths and weaknesses in each report.
  • Note areas for improvement based on course principles.
Executive Summary Practice
Hone your ability to write concise and impactful executive summaries.
Show steps
  • Find several articles or reports online.
  • Write a 150-200 word executive summary for each.
  • Compare your summaries to the original abstracts or summaries.
  • Refine your summaries based on the course's executive summary guidelines.
Redesign a Poorly Written Report
Apply your report writing skills to transform a flawed report into a clear and effective document.
Show steps
  • Find a poorly written report (e.g., from a past project or online).
  • Identify its weaknesses in structure, clarity, and design.
  • Rewrite and redesign the report based on course principles.
  • Compare the original and redesigned reports.
Provide Feedback on Peer Reports
Solidify your understanding of report writing by providing constructive feedback to others.
Show steps
  • Find a peer or colleague who is writing a report.
  • Review their report based on course principles.
  • Provide specific and actionable feedback.
  • Discuss your feedback with the report writer.

Career center

Learners who complete Report Writing Made Simple will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Technical Writer
A technical writer creates documentation that helps people understand and use complex information. These documents can include instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and standard operating procedures. The course on report writing helps one learn how to structure information logically, create clear and concise content, and design visually appealing documents. This course will teach you how to present information in a logical and digestible manner, essential for a technical writer. Furthermore, the segments on avoiding common pitfalls and polishing reports are especially useful for aspiring technical writers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer
Business Analyst
A business analyst identifies an organization's needs and determines solutions to business problems. Often, these solutions are presented in reports and proposals. This course helps one learn how to plan reports efficiently, understand their purpose, and structure information effectively. Business analysts can especially benefit from the course component on crafting compelling executive summaries, as this is a crucial element in conveying key findings and recommendations to stakeholders. Moreover, the course emphasizes clear and logical structuring, a critical skill for business analysts who need to present complex data in an accessible format.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Proposal Writer
Proposal writers are responsible for creating persuasive documents that convince clients or stakeholders to accept a proposed project or service. Mastering report writing helps proposal writers create well-structured, compelling, and visually appealing proposals. The course will be especially helpful in understanding how to structure complex information quickly and confidently, and how to create visually attractive reports. Understanding how to tailor a report to win the reader over will be a major value added to any proposal writer. This course may also assist proposal writers in avoiding pitfalls that damage credibility.
See salaries and explore the career path for Proposal Writer
Grant Writer
Grant writers research and prepare proposals to secure funding from foundations, government agencies, or other organizations. The ability to write clear, concise, and persuasive reports is essential for grant writing success. A grant writer will find that this course may help them with learning how to structure complex information and ideas confidently and quickly, and how to avoid common pitfalls that damage credibility as a report writer. Furthermore, the course's emphasis on crafting compelling executive summaries will allow one to make a strong first impression with potential funders. The course prepares grant writers to present a well-organized, logical, and visually appealing case for funding.
See salaries and explore the career path for Grant Writer
Market Research Analyst
Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. They present their findings in reports and presentations. This course may help market research analysts improve the clarity, persuasiveness, and visual appeal of their reports. The course's focus on structuring complex information efficiently, creating visually attractive reports, and avoiding common writing pitfalls are directly applicable for a market research analyst. The specific focus on making the report easy to navigate may also provide a benefit.
See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst
Journalist
Journalists research and write news articles, features, and other content for publication. Journalists need to write clearly, concisely, and engagingly to inform and engage their audience. This course may help journalists improve their writing skills, particularly in structuring information logically and presenting it in a compelling manner. Through learning how to structure complex information and ideas confidently and quickly and how to create a visually attractive report that's kind to the eye, journalists may find benefit. The course's coverage of executive summaries may also be helpful for crafting impactful news briefs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist
Editor
Editors are responsible for reviewing and revising written content to ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency. They often provide feedback to writers on how to improve their work. This course may help editors develop a deeper understanding of report writing best practices and techniques, which they can then apply to their own editing process. The course's emphasis on structuring information logically, creating visually appealing reports, and avoiding common writing pitfalls may be particularly valuable for editors. Understanding how to delight readers by making the report easy to navigate and digest may also be an important skill.
See salaries and explore the career path for Editor
Communications Specialist
Communications specialists create and manage internal and external communications for an organization. This often involves writing reports, articles, and other content. This course may help communications specialists improve the clarity, persuasiveness, and visual appeal of their written communications. The course's focus on understanding a report's purpose, structuring complex information efficiently, and creating visually attractive reports are directly applicable to the work of a communications specialist. Also, this course may assist communications specialists in avoiding pitfalls that damage credibility.
See salaries and explore the career path for Communications Specialist
Public Relations Specialist
Public relations specialists manage an organization's public image and communications. They often need to write press releases, reports, and other materials to communicate with the public and the media. This course may help public relations specialists improve their writing skills, particularly in crafting compelling narratives and presenting information in a persuasive manner. The course's emphasis on crafting executive summaries will enable public relations specialists to capture the attention of journalists and other stakeholders quickly and effectively. Also, this course may assist public relations specialists in avoiding pitfalls that damage credibility.
See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist
Policy Analyst
Policy analysts research and analyze policy issues to develop recommendations for government or other organizations. Often, these recommendations are presented in reports and policy briefs. This course may help policy analysts improve the clarity, persuasiveness, and visual appeal of their reports. The course's focus on understanding the purpose of a report, structuring complex information efficiently, and creating visually attractive reports are directly applicable to the work of a policy analyst. In addition, this course may assist policy analysts in avoiding pitfalls that damage credibility.
See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst
Researcher
Researchers investigate and study topics to establish facts and reach new conclusions. Usually, their findings are disseminated in reports, articles, or presentations. This course can help one become a more effective communicator of research findings. The course focuses on structuring complex information quickly, making reports easy to navigate, and avoiding common pitfalls. If you want to learn how to make your research more impactful and accessible, this training may be an effective choice.
See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher
Management Consultant
Management consultants analyze businesses, identify problems, and develop solutions their clients. They often present their findings and recommendations in detailed reports. This course may help management consultants produce clearer, more persuasive, and more visually appealing reports for their clients. The course's emphasis on effective structure, visual design, and reader engagement can be invaluable for producing impactful reports. The training on crafting compelling executive summaries may be beneficial. Management consultants typically need an advanced degree.
See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant
Librarian
Librarians assist patrons with locating information, curating collections, and promoting literacy. This requires strong communication and organizational skills. This course may help librarians with organizing information, creating clear guides and reports, and improving communication with patrons. Librarians may find value in the material on creating visually appealing documents and avoiding common writing pitfalls. In addition, if you want to polish your skills, this course may add polish to your skills.
See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian
Archivist
Archivists assess, collect, and preserve records and documents of historical value. They also describe and catalogue these materials for researchers and the public. This course may help archivists create clearer, more organized finding aids and reports. The course's emphasis on structuring complex information quickly and making reports easy to navigate may be valuable for archivists. These skills can then translate to better organization of information within their archives.
See salaries and explore the career path for Archivist
Educator
Educators teach students in a variety of settings, from classrooms to online courses. This course may help educators improve their communication skills and create clearer assignments and reports. Specifically, the course's emphasis on understanding the purpose of a report, structuring complex information, and creating visually appealing documents may be helpful. If you want to improve your communication skills, this course may be of use.
See salaries and explore the career path for Educator

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Report Writing Made Simple.
Cover image
The Craft of Research, Fifth Edition
Save
Although geared towards academic research, this book provides invaluable insights into the research process, argumentation, and clear communication of findings. These skills are directly applicable to report writing, especially when dealing with data analysis and presenting evidence-based conclusions. It is particularly useful for understanding how to conduct thorough research and present your findings in a logical and persuasive manner. is helpful in providing background knowledge on research methodologies.
The Craft of Research, Fifth Edition (Chicago...
Paperback
$$
The Craft of Research, Fifth Edition (Chicago...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Pyramid Principle
Save
Focuses on structuring thoughts and arguments logically, which is crucial for effective report writing. The Pyramid Principle provides a framework for organizing information in a clear and persuasive manner. This book is particularly helpful for the section of the course that deals with structuring complex information and ideas. It valuable resource for improving the clarity and impact of your reports.
The Pyramid Principle: Logic in Writing and Thinking
Paperback
$$$
The Pyramid Principle: Logic in Writing and Thinking
Hardcover
$$$
The pyramid principle: Logic in writing and thinking
Hardcover
$$$$
(中文) THE Minto Pyramid Principle:logic in Writing,...
Paperback
$$
The Pyramid Principle: Logic In Writing And...
Hardcover
$$

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Rating
4.5 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
1.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Clare Lynch
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Taught by a Cambridge graduate, which may provide learners with insights into report writing from a globally recognized academic perspective
Focuses on saving time in the report writing process, which is beneficial for professionals with tight deadlines and students managing multiple assignments
Includes design and layout tips, which can help learners create visually appealing reports that stand out and enhance their credibility
Emphasizes the importance of the executive summary, which is the most read part of a report and crucial for conveying key information effectively
Includes downloadable cheat sheets, which can serve as valuable resources and quick references for learners during the report writing process
Recommends other courses for learners who want to dig deeper into the topic, which may be a barrier for some learners who prefer a standalone course
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