Report writing
Assignment 2 states that you are analysts for the Central Football League, and are advising on pricing strategies. You are to produce a (short) report which covers the points set out in the assignment, concluding with a recommendation on what to do.
The recommended overall length is about three pages of text.
Structure
Your report should read as a concise, professional analysis — something you could imagine submitting to a decision-maker. Aim for clarity, logic, and flow rather than simply answering each question in order.
Here is one possible structure:
The structure proposed here is just one approach based on the sequence of the assignment questions. However, you are free to adopt any structure that you feel suits the task.
Audience
This task requires you to imagine that you are not merely writing an assignment at university, but a report that helps your employer make a decision.
When writing for decision makers, the goal is to inform and persuade clearly and efficiently. The reader is assumed to be intelligent and interested, but short on time. Your task is therefore to highlight what matters most rather than document everything you know about the topic.
- Guide the reader. Use headings and a clear structure to make your report easy to follow.
- Keep your writing concise. Focus on key points and evidence.
- Integrate graphs into the text. Refer to and explain the figures in the text.
- Identify the ‘red thread’. Make sure your final recommendation follows logically from your analysis.