report-writing

Report Writing Guide

Report Structure

1. Title

• Descriptive and specific
• Include the scope or time frame if relevant
• Example: "Advances in Protein Folding Since AlphaFold 3 (2024-2025)"

2. Executive Summary

• 2-3 paragraphs summarizing key findings
• Written last, after the full report is complete
• Should stand alone — a reader should understand the main conclusions

3. Body Sections

• Organize logically (chronological, thematic, or comparative)
• Each section should address one sub-topic
• Use inline citations [1][2] for every factual claim
• Include data, statistics, and direct quotes where appropriate

4. Conclusions

• Synthesize findings across all sections
• Highlight key takeaways and implications
• Note limitations of the research
• Suggest areas for further investigation

5. References

• Number references in order of first appearance
• Format: [N] Author/Organization, "Title", URL, Accessed: YYYY-MM-DD

Writing Style

Clarity

• Use clear, direct language
• Define technical terms on first use
• Prefer active voice over passive
• Keep paragraphs focused on one idea

Objectivity

• Present evidence before conclusions
• Acknowledge counter-arguments
• Use hedging language for uncertain claims ("suggests", "indicates", "appears to")
• Distinguish between facts and interpretation

Citation Practices

• Cite every factual claim, statistic, and quote
• Use inline citations [N] immediately after the claim
• Multiple citations for well-supported claims: [1][3][7]
• Never present information without attribution

Formatting Tips

• Use headers (##, ###) to create clear hierarchy
• Use bullet points for lists of findings
• Use tables for comparative data
• Use blockquotes for direct quotes from sources
• Bold key terms and important findings