The course content addresses the following topics:
- Overview of different types of business reports
- Executive report structure and logical sequence
- Understanding audience, context, and purpose
- Writing effective introductions: aim, purpose, background, scope, methodology, assumptions, and limitations
- Writing the findings section: summarising, supporting details, organising information, fact vs opinion, citing and referencing sources
- Describing and interpreting visual information (charts, tables, graphs)
- Writing conclusions: applying logical reasoning to summarise findings
- Writing recommendations using smart criteria and persuasive language
- Compiling references, appendices, and glossaries
- Using transition signals to sequence and link ideas clearly
- Applying hedging and certainty language (modal verbs and conditionals)
- Expanding vocabulary: paraphrasing, formal register, preposition collocations, passive voice, nominalisations, impersonal tone, acronyms
- Representing numerical data clearly and accurately
- Editing and proofreading for clarity, accuracy, and parallelism
- Formatting reports: consistent use of fonts, headings, bullet points, and layout