Guide to report writing formats with free templates
You've got something you’d like to formally share. Now make it official with our guide to report formats and how to write them and create your own.
Understanding report writing
A report is a representation of efforts connected to a specific goal or campaign that allows the speaker to show what they’ve done, why they’ve done it, and what rewards or conclusions were gleaned from those efforts. Whether composed for scholastic, professional, or personal reasons, reports can really get into the scope of a project and teach the intended audience about the effects and intentions connected to that project.
On a professional level, reports are typically used to present the results or progress connected to an employee or a department’s specific campaign. They are an essential tool for competent project management and assessing team goals. In a scholastic setting, reports can show off how a student has been performing during a particular period, or a student can write a report on something they have learned. Personally, you can use reports to showcase projects, travel logs, big life changes, and so much more.
Why write a report
Reports can accomplish quite a lot, especially when it comes to both presenting results and convincing your audience why your efforts have been necessary to achieve your goals. Not only can a sense of understanding be reached among teammates thanks to well-made reports, but collaboration and accountability are both encouraged as a part of the report-building process. Reports are also important for showcasing adaptability as a team member, especially when the results reported aren’t necessarily what the outcomes were expected to be.
Within your workplace, reports can benefit relevant stakeholders by educating them on what has been done thus far and what will be done in the future now that everyone is aware of how your labor manifests in results for your team. Supervisors can delegate more appropriately if they know how their employees are functioning based on departmental expectations laid out in such reports.
At school, students benefit from understanding the expectations their teachers have for their achievement. In turn, parents of students can better understand their children once they’ve witnessed reports on their performance — what’s been working, and what may be missing in assisting their child’s educational process.
For your own edification, reports can be essential in showing off what you’ve achieved on a personal level or what you’d like to be working on for yourself. They also are a thoughtful way to explain what you’ve been up to for your family, friends, and other community members.
Essential components for all report formats
No two reports are the same, especially considering the vast array of subject matter that could be displayed in this use case. However, the general professional format typically includes the following sections:
- Title Page
- Table of Contents
- Executive Summary
- Introduction
- Methodology
- Findings/Results
- Analysis/Discussion
- Recommendations
- Conclusion
- References/Bibliography
- Appendices
Different report writing formats
As already outlined above, there are many purposes that a report can fulfill, and thus, there are many types of reports one can develop. The following are examples of some of the most common and useful types of reports.
- Analytical report
- Progress report
- Academic report card
- Technical report
- Feasibility study report
Free report templates from Adobe Express
Use these free report templates to make reports your audience will find both attractive and informative. From school reports to annual performance reports, these templates will aid you in conveying key information, wowing your readers, and getting the job done quickly and easily.
