Effective technical report writing skills

In engineering, one of the major forms of communication is the technical report. This is the conventional format for reporting the results of your research, investigations, and design projects. At university, reports are read by lecturers and tutors in order to assess your mastery of the subjects and your ability to apply your knowledge to a practical task. In the workplace, they will be read by managers, clients, and the construction engineers responsible for building from your designs.

Day 1:
The Fog Index
Pre-assessment exercise
Fog Index Scales
Flesch Kincaid
Seven C's of good report writing
Exercise
The structure of an argument
Title/Purpose statement
Premises/Sections of the body
Supporting data/evidence
Reports – process
The three phases of the writing process
Reports – format
Elements of the argument explained
Title/Purpose statement - Exercise
Introduction – What to include and what not to include
Methods and materials
Graphical support
Paragraph construction
Sequencing of sentences - Exercise
Reader/Audience profile
Exercise

Day 2:
Critical questions to ask regarding the reader profile
Exercise – Brainstorm and mind-mapping
Categorisation
Organisation of premises
Specific report designs
Design of report cover sheet
Conclusions and recommendations
Point approach
Block approach
Exercise
Abstract/Executive summary
Descriptive abstracts
Informational abstracts
Qualities of a good abstract
Steps for writing effective report

Meet your facilitator
Les Wiggil

A. Brief personal history:

1. Qualifications:
• B.A. Degree (Wits)
• H.Dip.Ed (P.G.) (Wits)
• B.Ed. Hons. Degree (Wits)
• SAPMA Diploma
• Various sales and marketing and management courses over the past decade
• “Facilitation” and “RPL Assessment” (SETA/SAQA accredited Assessor)

2. Work experience:
• Current: Training/Facilitating and consultancy work in SA and other African countries
• General manager of printing and signage companies (All Africa Marketing)
• Branch manager of specialised paper options: Distribution business to the printing industry
• Established a training business, focusing on motivational leadership skills and sales training
• Fleet account executive and rental manager for Ford and Mazda
• District sales manager for Ford
• Product planning analyst at SAMCOR (now Ford Motor Co. SA)
• Served on the Executive Committee of the Transvaal Teacher's Association (Chairman in 1988)
• Taught Maths, Science and Basic Techniques at Primary School level
• Taught Maths, Science and Art at High School level

Venue

Date: 22 May 2008 to 23 May 2008
Location: Hotel Apollo, Randburg

Contact: Hennie Oosthuizen
Company name: African Information Institute
Telephone number: +27 11 7811155
Email address hennie@aii.co.za

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