How to make a presentation

You’ve probably seen one of those really cool flash animated presentations on YouTube and thought to yourself: Wow I want one of those animations….But you soon find out that it’s too expensive to have one made, and doing one yourself is just impossible because there is no tool out there that lets you do it….right?

Well, you’re wrong! Now you can Do-It-Yourself!

Once you have learned the five steps to “creating an awesome Powtoon”, you will be able to create your very own cool animated “presentation-cartoon” (Powtoon) using PowToon’s awesome online presentation software.

Functionally it’s as easy as creating a PowerPoint or Keynote presentation, but there are a few new things that you need to consider – (after you finished reading this article please refer to our video tutorial: How To Create A Product Demo Powtoon)

So here are the steps to create an awesome 90 seconds product demo clip:

Step 1: Script

You need to create a script that describes what will happen in every “scene”.

We recommend working with the following simple guidelines to create an engaging and captivating flow:

1. Which problem are you or your product addressing?
2. How does the frustration manifest itself? (Expensive, labor intensive, annoying etc…)
3. Aggravate problem (for example show what usefulness other solutions are there)
4. What is your solution, what are its benefits and why is it better?
5. CALL TO ACTION: Test us – Try us – Buy Us.

Remember that when reading your newly created script without pauses, 90 seconds corresponds to around 225 words! So before finalizing your script, please make sure to do a word count (and if I can give you another piece of advice: SHORTEN THE SCRIP ONCE and then SHORTEN IT AGAIN).

Step 2: Voice-Over Guide / Background Music

You need to either choose a background track for your music or record a voice-over guide. This means that you need an mp3 file of the TEXT PARTS of the script read out as they will appear in the Powtoon. Don’t worry, this does not have to be a professional voice-over, it can just be something basic for now, you are doing this mainly as a TIMING guide.

So you can do this yourself (record yourself in  or use an online text to voice software. You can always hire a professional voice over artist later to give your Powtoon a real polished sound, this can make a really big difference for a relatively small investment (Just place a GIG on the PowToon Marketplace for a Voice-over).

Once you have your voice-over guide, all you need to do is upload it into PowToon and you will now be able to add the visuals to the sound.

 Step 3: Dividing the Slides

Now you can start creating slides according to the script. Each slide represents a scene and an idea as outlined in the script. Try to keep your slides short, this way you can put a lot of interesting visuals in your Powtoon.

If you have a voice over, you can make some of the words come to life by making them appear in time on the screen. You don’t need to have each word that appears in the script on the stage, but rather chose important words to emphasize certain points.

Step 4:  Populate the Slides

Now it’s time to add graphics, background, props, images and characters to your slides. It’s important to convey the message together with the graphic images and as little text as possible, so the audience doesn’t have to sit there reading all the time (unless this is the effect you’re after) and doesn’t get overwhelmed with information.

For example: If the problem makes the main character sad, it is enough to display the main character in a sad pose without adding any text.

Click on the video for a demo: How To Create a Product Demo Powtoon #3

Step 5: Timing

Now you have to time it all. This is the last step and is actually one that can have a significant effect on the “professional” look and feel of your final result.

The PowToon timeline is designed to allow you to easily adjust the appearance and timing of all the elements on the screen. You can now listen to the voice-over running in the background and make sure that all the visual elements reflect what you hear. The more accurate you get this; the more awesome the final result!

Question 25

2.strengths:

-I’ve always considered myself to have a very strong work ethic. I am committed to doing whatever it takes to meet deadlines. As part of a work placement I was working with a customer who had my team on a strict deadline. For reasons beyond my control, there was some confusion in the delivery of crucial documents, which didn’t get to our office until late on the afternoon before the deadline. Rather than go home, I volunteered to stay late and finish everything, ensuring that the deadline was met, and that the work was of a very good standard.

3.weaknesses:

At the beginning of my career I found I was overwhelmed with the level of work expected of me, but I have since attended a number of time-management seminars and feel that this is no longer an issue. While I’m sure there are weaknesses in my skill set, I can’t think of any that are relevant to this role, which is why I am so excited about the prospect of working here

4.why should we hire you?

I think that my experience in the  industry and my ability to work autonomously make me a good match for this position. I have the savvy, experience, and superior communication ability to be an asset to your company. Your company provides many services that I have had experience with, in a variety of capacities. I believe that my familiarity with the industry would make me a good fit for this position.

5.what did you like least about your last job?"

My last job provided good opportunities, but I’m looking to … [increase my leadership skills, work closer with a team, learn new skills, build a career.

6.why are you leaving your present job?:

I've decided that is not the direction I want to go in my career and my current employer has no opportunities in the direction I'd like to head. After several years in my last position, I'm looking for an company where I can contribute and grow in a team-oriented environment.

7. how would you describe your work style?

My work style is extremely flexible – working on so many different projects requires me to be adaptive. In general, I try to work on one project at a time, working as quickly but efficiently as possible to achieve the highest results. All of my projects require collaboration, so I use the team environment to check for errors. I am a perfectionist and a driven worker, and I think my clear communication skills allow me to bring out the best in any team, in any project.

8.how would be your ideal working environment?

I flourish in an environment that allows me to grow my position and gives me learning opportunities. Work environments where trust and team work are keys to success. I really enjoy working with teams and feel mutual trust and respect is a necessary component to any job.

9. What salary are you seeking? 

Ø  I am looking for a salary between 700000 and 10000,000 a year. However, I am flexible, and I would be willing to talk about salary in more detail if offered the position. More than anything, I’m really invested in this line of work and would love to work with this company.

10. What are you looking for in terms of career development?

Ø  My goal is to progressively earn more responsibilities over time. I hope to someday be able to manage my own team and lead projects on my own, but my short term goals are to quickly earn new responsibilities as I use my skills to prove I deserve the challenge. I have to have learn many things. And I wanna create what I want to do. I wanna be creative. It is very interesting for me.

11. What's the most important thing you learned in school?

Ø  First I would say Teamwork and then discipline. The most important thing I learned was to accept and respond to feedback. The critique I received from peers and professors greatly enhanced my growth. It was challenging to present my work to others and hear their opinions about it, but I quickly realized that whether their comments were positive or highlighted needed improvements, the intent was to help me become more capable and effective. These experiences also taught me to critique others using language that focuses on quality and shared goals, avoiding comments that could be interpreted as personal or overly critical.

12. Why did you choose your major?

Ø  I did not go thinking that to learn radio communication profession. I think that can be a lawyer or a teacher. Profession of  to many features. Everyone was a time that you spend most of the social world, which is a fast-changing world of advanced technology. At this time our profession takes the foundation of the main position. So learn to demand profession.

13. Tell me about your proudest achievement. 

Ø  I was awarded the prize in my heart for, and forget the whole thing and time to be exclaimed through labor to spend sweat is the most valuable success. Getting gold medal at "Talent Show" of Mongolian University of Science and Technology

14. What kind of personality do you work best with and why?

Ø  As someone who thoroughly enjoys working as a team, I have become accustomed to working with all sorts of personalities. I love meeting new people and sharpening my people-skills as I learn to collaborate with and lead those around me. Fast paced. I really don't like to do things slowly or calmly. So the best person I work with would be quick thinker, doesn't like to slack off and optimist.

15.  How do you want to improve yourself in the next year?

Ø  I have become more better networking professional way, and learn to go Of the English language environment. I want to improve my english. The level I'm standing at is no good when used in practice.

16. What kind of goals would you have in mind if you got this job?

Ø  If I were to get this job, I would want to streamline the customer service, buff up the technical and continue advancing the database. Customer service is one of the most important things we do, and I would want to make that process easier. For me to some improvement  technical more improving the device for new ideas and new projects.

17. What techniques and tools do you use to keep yourself organized?  

Ø  for me first of all self preparation is most important i prepare myself then i learn how to work with any tool that i've got and how to use them perfectly.

18. Was there a person in your career who really made a difference?

Ø  Yeah ofcourse there is a person who made a big change in my not just by his actions also by his words once i told him the hard things for me to do and i said i really cannot do it the word he said was "Why do you think you cannot?" then i asked myself and realized you have to try before you think you cannot.

19. Who has impacted you most in your career and how?

Ø   

20. Who has impacted you most in your career and how?

Ø  If I had to choose someone that impacted my career, it would have to be my first teacher. I was fresh out of university, eager to learn. I was lucky, my first teacher was an amazing leader. I learned how to build a contact with the rest of his right with a great team. He gave make it open before others, ability to surprise me with a talent.

21. What attracted you to this company?

Ø  When i was young i was always interested in this company so i put this as one of my major goals in my life.

22. What was the last project you headed up, and what was its outcome?

Ø  We worked to design our own selfie cameras and what we made it a project was it that we have selfie sticks but even though we want to get more people in our pictures then we designed and worked in a flying selfie phone holder with a remote controller the outcome was really interesting but we still have to improve it for even better one, WE are still working on it

23. What are three positive things your last boss would say about you? 

Ø  Positive and he always said i never failed him so i'm reliable in every way and hardworking.

24. List five words that describe your character.

-Always on time

-Team working

-Positive

-Spiritual

-Leadership

25. Why do you want this job?

Ø  I see this company not only as a positive work environment, but also as a good opporturity to have my skills and qualifications make a differemce. This position challenges me to keep up with the cutting edge of technologies.

Hardware

A guide to the components inside my computer hello and welcome to videojug we're going to show you what the major.

 Components inside your computer are and tell you a little about what each of them do guiding us on this tour will be Phil Borton of East a technology support in

Brighton step 1 the major components the major.  Components of a computer are the

motherboard the cpu or central processing unit ram or the random access memory

the graphics card the power supply the hard disk or hard drive the optical drive also known as a CD or DVD drive .

Hardware and software all of these components are usually found  within the Tower of a desktop computer. They are referred to as hardware hardware can be thought of as the actual physical components that go into the computer software refers to the programs and systems that operate within the hardware.

The motherboard the motherboard is the heart of the computer. It is the largest and most fundamental component of a pc and every other component is attached to it in some way this is because all the different components used the mother board to communicate and work with each other the motherboard has a series of slots sockets and connectors for attaching the components of a pc in most cases the memory accessory cards and cpu are installed directly onto the motherboard the drives and peripherals communicate

with the motherboard through wired connections . There are a wide range of motherboards to choose from they different features speed capacity and the cpu supported they also different size shape and layout this is commonly referred to as the form factor .

For the cpu cpu stands for central processing unit this is the brain of the computer and is often referred to as the processor or chip it is found under a heatsink and fan and sits directly on the motherboard the cpu directs coordinates and communicates with the other components and performs all of the thinking it is not really thinking what a cpu actually does it perform mathematical calculations it is the software that people write that translates these calculations into useful functions for us .

 Ram ram stands for random access memory and comes as modules and  predefined amounts

it is also found directly on the motherboard and usually in one two or four slots the memory chip store information temporarily for short term used by the cpu ram is used to store information for files that are actually being used by the cpu at any given time the computer's ram memory is an entirely different thing from the hard disk memory the hard this stores information permanently for long-term use the graphics card the graphics card or video card translates information into the graphics and tax that appear on the monitor screen most motherboards now include a slot specifically designed for the graphics adapter called the AGP slot this stands for advanced graphics port modern graphics adapters usually incorporate some memory write on the card to improve their performance.

The power supply this supplies power to the other components which is why it has so many wires coming out of it it is usually positioned at the back top corner of the computer case the power supply has a fan built into it to keep itself and the computer cool.

The hard disk a hard disk which is also called a hard drive is much like a filing cabinet the programs and data is stored on the hard disk and the computer accesses them as they are needed when the computer accesses the hard drive it is reading and moving the stored information into the ram memory that memory is the temporary workspace however the original file is still on the hard disk and has left undisturbed until the file is saved when the computer stores or saves information it writes a data to the hard disk that process results in the old file being replaced or modified with the new information if you save data to a new file or install new software  the information is written to the disc in an available unused portion of the disk step 9 the optical drive the optical drive is often called a DVD drive or a CD drive it sits at the front of the computer for ease of access and use a laser to read and write information to cds and dvds done.

Top IT Trend 2016

Top IT Trend 2016

My role distribution can it's important to love five years out to see what industry is headed in the long term but much of my attention is focused on the near future identifying the technology and trends that are ready to be put to use a tablet over the next 12 months with that in mind here for the top IT trends. Tthat I believe a poised to gain real traction in 2016 my number for trend is the software-defined data center from the beginning data centers will be made up of silos of servers storage and networking hard way but that model is redundant and expensive and it makes it difficult to allocate resources quickly that's a problem for IT teams that are feeling pressure to improve responsiveness and decrease maintenance costs in a software-defined data center all the essential elements of a computing platform a pool together virtualized and managed to a common set of application programming interfaces with all of the data centers resources pulled together it's easier and faster to monitor and reallocate compute storage network in and even security resources according to the needs of the business production-ready.

 software-defined data center offerings and now available from established vendors as well as from new cameras and I tea shops are looking for safe and proven ways to move to a software-defined environment that delivers the stability and the agility that their businesses require my number.  Three top trend is what I call a mobile first approach until now most mobility initiatives will focus on providing mobile devices with the same access and security that we find on desktop and laptop PCs the mobile versus approach turns out world view on its head it's not about matching the PC experience and a small device anymore it's about getting the most of the unique advantages. That mobile platforms have to offer such as the ability to easily capture pictures documents and also knowing the precise location of the device as mobile devices get more convenient security with a broader adoption of biometrics. I expect more businesses will be thinking mobile-first in 2016 for both customers and employees my second top i t-tried 4 2016 is machine learning I see machine learning is a logical evolution of the exponential growth of data and data analytics that we've been seen over the last few years. Big data and data analytics today are mostly concerned with mine in large quantities of data to provide insights that leaders can use to make informed decisions with speed however those results of focus on helping business leaders interpret past activity a machine learning on the other hand is about using the same data sets to predict future behavior today Google Facebook and Amazon or relying on machine learning to deliver content ads and products. That use your past activity to predict what you'll be interested in next IBM's Watson initiative extends its significant machine learning capabilities to IBM customers a machine learning is also at the heart of Google's efforts to develop self-driving vehicles as the engineers at Google will tell you it's easier to drive a car when you can predict what's around the corner rather than having to focus on the road behind you and running the business is no different.  that's why i believe machine learning will be one of this year's top trends to gain traction as organizations like to predict the future as well as they can analyze the past my top IT trends for 2016 is the internet of things specifically the industrial Internet of Things one study from the mckinsey global institute estimates that. I OT will deliver up to 11 trillion dollars of global economic impact on an annual basis just 10 years from now and a significant proportion of that was going to be made up the industrial IOT for example one of a minute industrial equipment customers has begun in bed in connected sensors into the field based equipment this gives our customers the ability to let maintenance teams know when a component is about to break down but before it actually happens this simple warning helps avoid costly downtime and emergency repairs.

It also ensures that the service technicians have exactly the right parts they need when they arrive on site 2016 will be the year the IOT hits critical mass the opportunity is simply too large for that but the building blocks for the ecosystem and now in place making it easier faster and less expensive to prototype and roll out real world I OT solutions that's why its my number-one trend for 2016 to find outhow these and other top technology trends are being applied inside the enterprise in the year to come stay tuned to this text and series and to my blog behind the firewall and don't forget to give us a thumbs up or post a comment below this video is a value to you thank you for watching and see you next time.

networking

Networking

networking is the word people use when they're talking about connecting computers together so they can share data with each other and all connect to the internet at the same time let's take a closer look at the key components. That make up a simple easy to set up network think of a network is something similar to your body central nervous system at the top of the network is a brain that handles all the traffic coming through this is called a router  the brain is connected to a spine that send signals throughout your network. This device is called a switch and it distributes signals to all of your computers and devices via network cables now let's check out each of the components of a wired network and more detail. We'll start with the router a router has a smart little. computer inside that identifies all of the computers and devices on your network and assigns a unique number to each one techie people call this an IP address a router also connects to the internet outside your home via a modem that can be provided by your dsl or cable internet provider a router is always at work managing the tons and tons of information your computers and devices send and receive and controlling which computers and devices get what information and when so how does a router actually send information from the internet to your computers and devices and how does it enable your computers to share information with each other the answer lies with that device we mentioned earlier a switch a switch sins traffic through your network to the places it needs to go every netgear home router has a switch with four ports built right into it you can also get wireless routers from netgear that use radio signals to do the

same thing as a switch but these still have those four ports built into them so you can use wires with them too when you're buying a router for use in a wired. Network pay attention to the speed of the built-in switch the fastest switches are called gigabit and they're perfect for applications like streaming video in your home meanwhile routers switches called fast ethernet are great for essential tasks like web surfing email and online gaming now say you have more than four idea as you'd like to plug into a router you need more ports the solution is easy you'll need an additional switch which again is that thing that's already built into your router in this case though you just need to switch portion and not another router because your network doesn't need two brains after all netgear has switches with as few as five ports as well as some that feature 24 ports or more once again if you need the fastest speeds go for a gigabit switch your smarty pants netgear router will recognize these new connections and start sending data to them right away here's one more thing to keep in mind some people often confuse a switch with a related device called a hub which is obsolete you just need to know that hubs were replaced by switches because switches do the same thing but with a lot more speed and smarts a router a switch and network cables all come together to create a fast and reliable wired network that works a lot like your body's nervous system fortunately you don't have to be super brainy to understand how it all works.

review

Review

From books and movies to plumbers and hotels, reviewing a product or service can be a useful skill. Reviews allow a consumer to share their opinion of a product or service, and others can glean information from that review to make an informed decision about whether or not to try out the product or service.

1.      Try out the product or service. In order to write a review, you need to try the product. It seems obvious, but many people still write reviews without much first-hand knowledge of the product. Try it out, take your time, and get to know the product or service adequately enough to be able to speak authoritatively about it.

2.      Take notes. Gather details that you’ll need to write your review. For example, if you’re reviewing a restaurant, get the names and ingredients of certain dishes you’re trying. Take note of the décor. Jot down the name of your server.

3.      Take photographs. In some cases, your review will be enhanced by photos. Document your experience by taking pictures so that your readers will know what you mean when you say, “There was a giant stain on the ceiling in my hotel room.”

Organizing Your Review

1.      Find out the parameters for the review. If you are planning to submit your review to a particular website, blog or magazine, make sure you find out any specifications for the review. For example, there might be a word limit or a specific format.

Check the deadline too, especially if the review is for something timely, like a movie, album or book. Your review should coincide with the release of these types of items.

2.      Figure out your angle. Every review has a particular perspective. You are, after all, making an argument in your review. Determine how you want to talk about the product or service. Will this be a positive or negative review? What will you focus on?

           This works especially well for a book or movie review, where you might pick out a        particular theme and write your review around that theme.

3.      Know your audience. Think about who will read your review. Are you writing for a heavy metal music blog and your readers will already know various bands and songs? Are you writing a more technical review and your readers will understand jargon that you include?

4.      Writing Your Review

Briefly describe the product or service. In a couple of sentences or less, describe the product that you’re reviewing. You will reveal other details throughout your review, but the initial description will give your reader a sense of what you’re talking about.

·         If it’s a movie or book, don’t spend your entire review summarizing the plot. There’s no need to give the entire story. Just a brief overview in 1-2 sentences will suffice.

Write with detail. Give lots of detail and evidence for the argument that you’re making. If you’re reviewing a music album, talk about the instruments or vocals on a particular track. If you’re reviewing a movie, talk about why the cinematography is groundbreaking and give examples from the film.

Use complete sentences. Your review will carry much more weight if you write in complete sentences, rather than fragments that leave the reader wanting more. Don’t write things like, “okay food, terrible service.” This doesn’t tell the reader anything specific and therefore doesn’t make for a helpful review.

Include useful descriptive words. Skip words like “meh” and “okay.” These words are not very useful in terms of describing a product. If you want to write a compelling review that gives the reader an idea of what you experienced, choose more descriptive words.^[2]

Personalize your review. Relate your review directly to your personal experience. Don’t use vague statements and generalities. People reading your review will want to know about your experience, so they can determine if they’d like to use that service as well. Tell a story about why you like to go to a particular nightclub or why you find your yard service so reliable.^[3]

Position this product or service among its peers. Think about where this product fits among similar products. You should certainly judge the product on its own merits, but people reading your reviews will find it useful to have a reference to a restaurant they’re familiar with. This makes the comparison – and thus, the evaluation of whether to try a product or service – easier for readers of your review.

Include a sample. If possible, give your reader a sample of what you’ve experienced. This might be a picture of a meal that you ate, or it might be a link to a trailer for the movie, or it might be a snippet of a song from an album you’re reviewing.

Keep it truthful. Be honest in your review. Don’t stretch the truth to fit with your argument one way or another. Don’t make up stuff or exaggerate to make your point. If you don’t have enough evidence to support a point you’re making, leave it out.

Give a fair review. You may have had a terrible experience with a particular plumber, but balance your review with what the plumber did right. If a meal was excellent except for the crud in your water glass, mention the negative part. People find reviews more credible if they admit the good and the bad together.

Be creative and interesting. The best reviews are ones that hook the reader and draw them in. Write in a way that is imaginative and that captures the essence of the product or service that you’re reviewing.^[4]

·         Some reviews are written in different formats, even as poems or haiku. Other reviews are tongue-in-cheek, conveying the facts in a humorous way.

Add privileged information to your review. Include information that a reader wouldn't have from checking out the service’s website or seeing an ad for the service. Provide information or details that you can only get when you’re using the service.

Report

Writing reports

v Report preparation stage:

• The collection of material

• A presentation plan to write and distribute a logical sequence according to the collected data and plan documents

• Report each structure forming a

• speech content preparation okay to talk to a brief set and read the contents carefully

• In preparation several times to / lecture repeated to the appropriate dialect and accent, head and face of traffic to the conversation, "ornament" dependent.

v What makes a good report?

Two of the reasons why reports are used as forms of written assessment are:

•  to find out what you have learned from your reading, research or experience;
• to give you experience of an important skill that is widely used in the work place. 

An effective report presents and analyses facts and evidence that are relevant to the specific problem or issue of the report brief. All sources used should be acknowledged and referenced throughout, in accordance with the preferred method of your department. For further information see the Learning Development guide. The style of writing in a report is usually less discursive than in an essay, with a more direct and economic use of language. A well written report will demonstrate your ability to: 

• understand the purpose of the report brief and adhere to its specifications;
• gather, evaluate and analyse relevant information;
• structure material in a logical and coherent order;
• present your report in a consistent manner according to the instructions of the report brief;
• make appropriate conclusions that are supported by the evidence and analysis of the report;
• make thoughtful and practical recommendations where required. 

 

 

v  The structure of a report

v  Terms of Reference

Under this heading you could include a brief explanation of who will read the report (audience) why it was written (purpose) and how it was written (methods). It may be in the form of a subtitle or a single paragraph.

A report submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for Course GL456, Department of

Contents (Table of Contents)

The contents page should list the different chapters and/or headings together with the page Summary (Abstract)

numbers. Your contents page should be presented in such a way that the reader can quickly scan the list of headings and locate a particular part of the report. You may want to number chapter headings and subheadings in addition to providing page references. Whatever numbering system you use, be sure that it is clear and consistent throughout.

v Introduction

The introduction sets the scene for the main body of the report. The aims and objectives of the report should be explained in detail. Any problems or limitations in the scope of the report should be identified, and a description of research methods, the parameters of the research and any necessary background history should be included. 
In some reports, particularly in science subjects, separate headings for Methods and Results are used prior to the main body (Discussion) of the report as described below. 

Methods

Information under this heading may include: a list of equipment used; explanations of procedures followed; relevant information on materials used, including sources of materials and details of any necessary preparation; reference to any problems encountered and subsequent changes in procedure. 

Results

This section should include a summary of the results of the investigation or experiment together with any necessary diagrams, graphs or tables of gathered data that support your results. Present your results in a logical order without comment. Discussion of your results should take place in the main body (Discussion) of the report. 

Discussion

The main body of the report is where you discuss your material. The facts and evidence you have gathered should be analysed and discussed with specific reference to the problem or issue. If your discussion section is lengthy you might divide it into section headings. Your points should be grouped and arranged in an order that is logical and easy to follow. Use headings and subheadings to create a clear structure for your material. Use bullet points to present a series of points in an easy-to-follow list. As with the whole report, all sources used should be acknowledged and correctly referenced. For further guidance check your departmental handbook and the Student Learning Centre guide: Referencing and Bibliographies. 

Conclusion 

In the conclusion you should show the overall significance of what has been covered. You may want to remind the reader of the most important points that have been made in the report or highlight what you consider to be the most central issues or findings. However, no new material should be introduced in the conclusion. 

Appendices

Under this heading you should include all the supporting information you have used that is not published. This might include tables, graphs, questionnaires, surveys or transcripts. Refer to the appendices in the body of your report.

In order to assess the popularity of this change, a questionnaire (Appendix 2) was distributed to 60 employees. The results (Appendix 3) suggest the change is well received by the majority of employees.

v  Writing the report: the essential stages

All reports need to be clear, concise and well structured. The key to writing an effective report is to allocate time for planning and preparation. With careful planning, the writing of a report will be made much easier. The essential stages of successful report writing are described below. Consider how long each stage is likely to take and divide the time before the deadline between the different stages. Be sure to leave time for final proof reading and checking. 

v  Stage One: Understanding the report brief

This first stage is the most important. You need to be confident that you understand the purpose of your report as described in your report brief or instructions. Consider who the report is for and why it is being written. Check that you understand all the instructions or requirements, and ask your tutor if anything is unclear. 

v  Stage Two: Gathering and selecting information

Once you are clear about the purpose of your report, you need to begin to gather relevant information. Your information may come from a variety of sources, but how much information you will need will depend on how much detail is required in the report. You may want to begin by reading relevant literature to widen your understanding of the topic or issue before you go on to look at other forms of information such as questionnaires, surveys etc. As you read and gather information you need to assess its relevance to your report and select accordingly. Keep referring to your report brief to help you decide what is relevant information. 

v  Stage Three: Organising your material

Once you have gathered information you need to decide what will be included and in what sequence it should be presented. Begin by grouping together points that are related. These may form sections or chapters. Remember to keep referring to the report brief and be prepared to cut any information that is not directly relevant to the report. Choose an order for your material that is logical and easy to follow. 

v  Stage Four: Analysing your material

Before you begin to write your first draft of the report, take time to consider and make notes on the points you will make using the facts and evidence you have gathered. What conclusions can be drawn from the material? What are the limitations or flaws in the evidence? Do certain pieces of evidence conflict with one another? It is not enough to simply present the information you have gathered; you must relate it to the problem or issue described in the report brief. 

v  Stage Five: Writing the report

Having organised your material into appropriate sections and headings you can begin to write the first draft of your report. You may find it easier to write the summary and contents page at the end when you know exactly what will be included. Aim for a writing style that is direct and precise. Avoid waffle and make your points clearly and concisely. Chapters, sections and even individual paragraphs should be written with a clear structure. The structure described below can be adapted and applied to chapters, sections and even paragraphs.

• Introduce the main idea of the chapter/section/paragraph
• Explain and expand the idea, defining any key terms.
• Present relevant evidence to support your point(s).
• Comment on each piece of evidence showing how it relates to your point(s).
• Conclude your chapter/section/paragraph by either showing its
  significance to the report as a whole or making a link to the next chapter/section/paragraph.

v  Stage Six: Reviewing and redrafting

Ideally, you should leave time to take a break before you review your first draft. Be prepared to rearrange or rewrite sections in the light of your review. Try to read the draft from the perspective of the reader. Is it easy to follow with a clear structure that makes sense? Are the points concisely but clearly explained and supported by relevant evidence? Writing on a word processor makes it easier to rewrite and rearrange sections or paragraphs in your first draft. If you write your first draft by hand, try writing each section on a separate piece of paper to make redrafting easier. 

v  Stage Seven: Presentation

Once you are satisfied with the content and structure of your redrafted report, you can turn your attention to the presentation. Check that the wording of each chapter/section/subheading is clear and accurate. Check that you have adhered to the instructions in your report brief regarding format and presentation. Check for consistency in numbering of chapters, sections and appendices. Make sure that all your sources are acknowledged and correctly referenced. You will need to proof read your report for errors of spelling or grammar. If time allows, proof read more than once. Errors in presentation or expression create a poor impression and can make the report difficult to read.