Argjent Essay Project

How to Write An Essay
Getting Set To Write a Report
Argjent Veseli
Governor Simcoe Secondary School
Mr.Honsberger
December 11, 2014 Thursday
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Introduction
There are several ways in which to proceed with writing a report.
The circumstances under which a report is to the written dictate to a
large extent the way in which the writer begins. (Blow)
If a report is to be written as a class assignment, there will likely
be at least two constraints on the report written. There are: (1) Size:
Very often, teachers (or instructors) will assign a report that is to fall
within a specified size range (for example, ten to twelve typewriter
pages); and (2) Content: The students report writer is most often
required to either write on an assigned topic or a topic specifically
related to a given field of study.
Reports written for business purposes generally do not have size
restrictions, although in some causes a client may specify that
progress reports and the like are not to exceed a given number of
pages. The content of business reports, of course, in dictated by the
circumstances. Thus, the writer never has to decide what to write
about.
Reports written for social, fraternal, or similar organizations
probably have the fewest constraints. This type of report is the not
usually
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evaluated in terms of grading or business communication. As a

result, the length is seldom specified and the content reflects the
needs of the organization.
Of the three above- mentioned varieties of reports, those
assigned in school are in many ways the most difficult. The limits that
are often set for a report, as discussed below, creates an almost
artificial situation unique to such reports. The task of arriving at a
suitable scope for a report, as discussed below, creates a quadrating
situation as does the job of finding sufficient while not overwhelming
reference material. However, it would be unfair to say that such
exercises are not without a great deal of value. Such demands on
research organization, and writing skills certainly improve and polish
existing abilities. (Light)
Square One Selecting the topic
This great step, obviously, is applicable only to those situations
in which one may or must select the subject of the report.
There are a number of factors that bear upon this decision. The
following paragraphs explain some of these factors.
Scope. If the student is to select a topic
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that relates to the material discussed in an American history

class and the report is to be between 15 and 20 typewritten pages
long, scope is a crucial factor. The writer would not, for example,
attempt to treat the Civil War in 20 pages or less; such an undertaking
would at best result in an outline of events. A more practical approach
would be to select some narrower, though significant, aspect of that
war that could be developed to a meaningful extent within the limited
number of pages prescribed.
Interest. The student report writer may or may not have the
luxury of selecting a subject of interest; however, interest in the
subject of the report will make the extensive research and writing
involved more enjoyable. One fairy failsafe way to accomplish this to
spend some time browsing through different sources. Like window
shopping, this process often makes a person aware of something they
like.
Availability of reference material. There would be no point in
deciding to report on Shermans March to the sea if there were not
enough resource material with which to develop the subject. Thus is
where
4
the writer must begin to use research skills. After examining the
encyclopedias, history texts , and current periodicals (such as Natural
History, National Geographic Magazine, Smithsonian), with the help of
the card catalog and the Readers Guide to Periodical Literature, the
writer can get a feel for the amount of resource material that is
available as well as the extent of detail with which the subject is
treated.
Background. If the report writer has ample time (and intends to invest
in researching and writing the report), it is a good idea to undertake a
report on a topic on which with writer has limited knowledge. This well
increase the benefits of having completed such as an exercise by
expanding the writers store of information. However, if the time to be
spent on the report is severely limited, the writer may want to select a
topic that is familiar so that the direction that the report will take and
ways of organizing the material are not as difficult to deal with.
Orderly Research
Considerable time and energy can be saved
5
if the writer take this research part in an orderly fashion. The

following three steps, if followed exactly and completely, will yield an
orderly basis for the writing step.
Check document sources. Using the card catalog and the
Readers Guide to Periodical Literature, the writer completes 5 x 3
index cards for each entry that looks as though it might provide
needed material. Included on that card will be the following
information:
Author, last name first
Title
Publisher
City in which published
Publication date
Number of Pages (if a book)
Pages referenced
Completing all of these cards at once provided: (a) all of the
information locating the needed material; (b) freedom from having to
repeatedly return to the card catalog when any resources fail to
provide need information; and(c) all of the information needed for
footnotes and the bibliography. If any of the references prove
unsatisfactory, the corresponding index card
6
can be thrown away. Of those cards that remain, assign a

number or letter for identification purposes.
Gather material. While reading through reference material, the
writer should summarize relevant information; Of course, direct
quotations should be noted as such. It is helpful to write these
summaries on 8 x 5 note cards, placing summaries of distinct topics
and subtopics on separate cards. In this way, the cards can be shuffled
in to some logical sequence when the time comes to write an outline.
On each of the 5 x 3 index cards that identifies the source of the
material written on it. This saves having to copy all of this information
again.
Organize material. If notes on the reading are separated by topic
as suggested above, making an outline will not be difficult. Begin by
trying to make four to six stacks of cards that relate to each other
more than they do to any of the others. A short phrase should be
written that describes the commonality within each stack. The short
phrases provide the main headings of the outline. Within each of
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the sacks, the cards are sorted into four to six stacks that relate
to each other; a short phrase is written to sum up their content. These
short phrases will be subtopics for the outline. The writer will find that
some bending may be necessary, but for the most part this proves a
simplified method of organizing research material. (Bagg)
As the writer follows these steps, the frustration of report writing
will be minimized. With added experience, of course, the writer will find
ways in which to customize the process to fit the individuals working
and writing style.
8
Contents
Page
Introduction..................................................................................1
Square One- Selecting The Topic..................................................2
Scope................................................................................. 2
Interest............................................................................... 3
Availability of Reference Material.......................................3
Background........................................................................4
Orderly Research..........................................................................4
Check Document Sources...................................................5
Gather Material..................................................................6
Organize Material...............................................................6
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Works Cited
Bagg, James. "The Overused Essay." The Journal of Student
Learning (2007): 22-26. (Periodical)
Blow, Joseph. Essays Are for Everyone. New York: Honsco Publishing
Inc., 1999.
Light, Budd. Student Learning Project. 15 November 2010. 3
December 2013 <Http://www.dsbn.org>. (web site)

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How to Write An Essay

Getting Set To Write a Report

December 11, 2014 Thursday

How to Write An Essay

evaluated in terms of grading or business communication. As a

that relates to the material discussed in an American history

if the writer take this research part in an orderly fashion. The

can be thrown away. Of those cards that remain, assign a

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