REPORT WRITING

When preparing reports to a committee, committee chair or senior officer, note the following:

* Write for the intended audience
What do they need to know to make a decision?
* Be specific and concise
* Indicate Background
Why the has matter arisen?
* Indicate Discussion
o What are the issues;
o Who are the stakeholders;
o What are the relevant legislative, policy or other sanctions;
o What action must be taken, when and by whom, and under what authority
* A recommendation for action
State briefly the recommendation that needs to be adopted, by paraphrasing concisely the action to be taken
* Attach relevant material
Correspondence, data, draft policy, etc. as required and state the purpose and relevance of the attachments in the main text of the report.