Report Writing; How to Write Simply and Clearly

Do you have to write reports on technical or business subjects? 
Have you ever had difficulty in organising your thoughts? 
Or in deciding how to put together all the information you have available in writing? 
Worst of all, have you ever found that others – bosses, colleagues, customers – for some reason do not understand the messages you are trying to put across in your report, even though these seem clear to you?

If you have had these kinds of difficulties, this two-day workshop is for you!  Gordon is a former British Diplomat with extensive hands-on experience in both writing reports and in teaching how to write good English.  Over the two days, he will share with you – and get you to practise – some highly practical tips and techniques that will help you make your reports clearer, simpler and more convincing.    

During the workshop, you will learn and practise:-

• The importance of tailoring a report to your audience (readers)and to your objectives (what you want your readers to know, think, and above all do).
• How to plan and structure a reportto achieve this; and to ensure that your key messages get across.
• How to simplify your writing: to make the complex simple and the complicated clear, even to non-specialists.
• Key English grammar for report writing, including errors commonly made and how to avoid these.
• How to make best use of graphics and other visuals

This course is designed for everyone who is required to write reports or similar documents on complex or technical matters.  Whatever the subject matter (from engineering, to electronics, to IT; from chemical or physical processes, to management, finance, PR and HR processes), the course leader will help you to make the complex simple, and the complicated clear.  Participants need to have a good level of English: at least intermediate to high-intermediate.

Module 1:  Introduction

• What makes a good report (and a bad one)?
• What difficulties do you have when writing reports?
• Samples of good technical reports, and why they are good

•     Common English writing errors– and how to avoid and correct them
•     Effective and clear punctuation for report writers
•     Singulars and plurals, and subject-verb agreement
•     Tenses: how and when to use them
•     Active versus passive verbs: what they are, and which to use when
•     Conditionals (‘if…’ sentences)

• Setting clear objectives, tailored to the audience (your readers)
• The structure of a good report:  What sections should you have?  In what order?  And what should each section cover?
• How to write key sections (such as Summary, Introduction, Conclusions and Recommendations), and ensure that your key messages are highlighted

• Apply the ‘KISS’ principle everywhere, to fight wordiness, redundancy (unnecessary words) and complexity
• How to make the ‘technical’ understandable to non-technical readers: avoiding (or if necessary explaining) jargon
• Be active, not passive!
• Paragraphs:  Why they are important.  And how to write good ones
• Linking words and phrases – to make your reports easy to read and follow

• What makes a good visual?
• When and how to use different kinds of graphics (tables, charts, pictures etc)
• When and where to insert visuals for best effect

The course is highly interactive, with a wide range of exercises, discussions and other activities.  Participants must therefore come ready to take active part.  Participants will also receive full handouts with key points from the course to take away.  

Gordon Reid is a former British Diplomat with over 25 years of experience working in a wide range of jobs, countries and regions of the world.  He has lived and worked in Malaysia since 2003, initially as Director of Trade and Investment at the British High Commission and, since 2007, as an English specialist, management & soft skills trainer, and freelance writer/editor/proofreader.

In his career, Gordon has had extensive hands-on experience in producing reports and other business documents on a wide range of subjects.  He is also a specialist in teaching how to write effective, clear English.  In addition to technical report writing, Gordon also delivers courses on presentation and public speaking, negotiation, communication and motivation, and both general and business English.  Among the companies Gordon has trained are Ambank, Tractors Malaysia/Sime Darby, Aker Kvaerner, Alstom, Alliance Bank, Malaysia Debt Ventures, Nikon, Petronas, Philips, Shell, Siemens, Sunway, UOB and the KLCC Convention Centre.

Gordon is an associate trainer of the iTrainingExpert.com Group. He conducts courses in both the English language (including technical report writing), leadership, management and presentation skills.

View Gordon on Youtube: https://youtu.be/qXzPCLIkBAQ

“Good training, interactive course and knowledgable instructor.” CTRM Aero Composite, Noraskihin, Engineeer

“I feel more confident after the course”, Abu Sabri, Material Engineer, Melaka.

“A must for all technical personnel.  Very useful and helped me a lot in making effective reports!” Astro Broadcast Corporation.

“Fantastic course, well supported by in class exercises. Well worth attending!” Anita, Human Resources Director, DHL Asia Pacific Information Service, Cyberjaya

“Very useful course – hopefully it will teach me not to be so wordy. Course very well given considering the fairly dry subject.” Fadzil Osman, Petronas.

“I was very impressed with the overall session. I have learnt new skills and I am confident what I have learnt today can be transferred into good report writing.” Mahavedran, Senior Engineer, ASTRO

“I highly recommend this course to engineers. I now have a great idea of a how a structured report should be. I definitely helps me a great deal. Thanks. ”– Cindy, Technical Support Analyst, GfK Retail and Technology (M) Sdn. Bhd

“After attending this course, I able to use the proper technique to write my reports. I am very happy with the outcome and will definitely recommend to my other colleagues.”– Goh, Business Analyst, GfK Retail and Technology (M) Sdn. Bhd

(Fee inclusive of Buffet Lunch, Refreshment, Welcome Pack, Training Materials & Certificate of Achievement)

Payment mode:

1. ONLINE PAYMENT  by Credit card:  You can opt to register and pay online with our latest payment integration system through our website.

2. BANK IN CHEQUE
Bank in and then scan the Bank-in slip and email to us before the course commence to confirm your seat.
Courier your cheque payment to our Finance HQ.
*Note that we DO NOT take any payments during the event.
3. BANK IN CASH: You can also pay by cash through bank-in our company bank account.
4. Telegraphic Transfer- You can also opt to use GIRO or telegraphic transfer of payment via international banks.