STANAG 6001 Writing Course

REPORT

is an informative piece of writing concerning a particular person, place, situation, plan;
is addressed to one’s superior/colleagues, members of the committee;
is written in response to a request or instruction.

STYLE – formal and impersonal:

FORMAT AND STRUCTURE

the report should start with a subject line summarising its content;
it should be divided into paragraphs, each devoted to a different idea;
each paragraph should start with a suitable heading;
references to previous correspondence, the author and the receiver of the report, and the date are not required;
the text should not be shorter than 170 words.

LAYOUT

Introduction: states the purpose and content of the report

the purpose
content (3 points to be covered)
the source of information it is based on (survey results/interviews, statistical data)

Main body: presents the content of the report

each aspect of the report should be covered in a separate paragraph beginning with a suitable heading;
each paragraph should begin with the topic sentence;
the facts presented in the report (numbers/statistics) should be followed with their generalisation (It implies that…);
each idea in the report should be developed;
the sentences within paragraphs must be joined with linking devices.

Final paragraph: concluding the report by presenting:

conclusions drawn from the information given in the body of the report
depending on the exam task, it may also contain assessment, recommendation, suggestion, advice, and speculations about possible causes or consequences

INFORMATIVE REPORTS

present information concerning the progress made on a project, a meeting which has taken place or a decision which has been made concerning future action.

USEFUL PHRASES

Introduction

Conclusion (general assessment/ summary of points)

USEFUL PHRASES

Introduction

Conclusion (summary of points/general assessment)

To conclude/To sum up/In conclusion, the advantage(s) of the approach proposed would be that…
It is believed that the course of action proposed will achieve…/meet with success/answer the needs of…

present and evaluate positive and negative features of something;
can include: proposals, suggestions, general assessment, opinions, recommendations
positive and negative features of the same aspect should be presented in one paragraph with the use of linking words showing contrast (however, although, despite, but, etc)

USEFUL PHRASES

Introduction

Conclusion (general assessment/opinion/recommendation)

Recommending

It is therefore believed/apparent/obvious that… would be the best course of action in this situation.
It would (not) be advisable/advantageous/practical/wise to…
It is strongly recommended/suggested that… [sth should be done]