Writing a business report Cover page (Remember, this is an important ‘front window’ for your work) Executive summary (Similar to an abstract in a journal article) Table of contents (Remember, because you are already at the page, a ‘table of contents’ is not required as an entry in this section) Body of the report (please note - this is not a heading in the report) 1. Introduction This section contains introductory information about the organisation and research method. It is not a summary of the research. 2. Research process This section contains information about how you carried out the investigation. 3. Findings and discussion (The findings and discussion may sometimes be separate sections. However, for this report it is useful to combine them). 4. Conclusions This section contains the claims you are making from your findings and analysis. 5. Recommendations This section contains the specific actions you want from your reader. References A list of all of the references cited in your report. Bibliography A list of all of the sources you have read, but not cited in your report. Appendices Material that is relevant, but not essential to the report. Nearly there - a final checklist... REMEMBER: THE PRESENTATION OF YOUR REPORT AND THE AMOUNT OF WORK INVESTED IN THE CONTENTS TOGETHER CONTAIN A STRONG MESSAGE ABOUT YOU, THE WRITER... AS WRITTEN DOCUMENTS TEND TO HAVE A LONG LIFE IN MANY ORGANISATIONS, THEY CARRY AN ENDURING MESSAGE.