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Writing Successful Reports and Dissertations
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Writing Successful Reports and Dissertations

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October 2014 | 208 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Are you unsure what your report should look like or how you’ll ever finish it in time?  Are you freaking out about starting on an extended piece of writing?

Help is here!  In this handy little book, you’ll find expert guidance to enable you to produce a successful report or dissertation.  With a focus on developing an effective writing style and argument, this book shows you, step-by-step, how to plan and deliver a perfect piece of writing to gain top marks. 

Open up to find advice on:

  • What makes dissertations and reports distinctive
  • Organising your time and materials
  • Finding the right planning method for you
  • How to structure your writing successfully
  • Writing good sentences, paragraphs, sections and chapters.

Read this book and you’re on your way to writing a great report or dissertation!

Student Success is a series of essential guides for students of all levels. From how to think critically and write great essays to boosting your employability and managing your wellbeing, the Student Success series helps you study smarter and get the best from your time at university. 

 
Introduction
 
Part I: Pondering
 
Why a Dissertation?
 
What Is Distinctive about a Dissertation?
 
What Are Research Questions?
 
What Makes a Good Dissertation?
 
When and Why Would I Write a Report?
 
What Is Distinctive about a Report?
 
Should I Be Asking Research Questions in a Report?
 
Part II: Preparing
 
Devising a Strategy
 
Gathering Material
 
Finding Your Voice
 
Part III: Planning
 
Are You a Natural Planner?
 
A Planning Strategy
 
Your First Step
 
Four Planning Methods
 
Part IV: Pausing
 
Negative Pauses
 
Necessary Pauses
 
Positive Pauses
 
Part V: Producing
 
Words
 
Phrases
 
Sentences
 
Paragraphs
 
Sections and Chapters
 
Part VI: Polishing
 
Increasing Impact
 
Checking your Document
 
Now Take Your Fingers off the Keyboard

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In my final year, facing not only report writing but also a dissertation, this guide helped me hugely. The clear and organised structure meant it was easy to re-evaluate certain sections of my work and its approachable style of writing made it particularly accessible to read and concentrate on. 

Georgina Belcher
Student, University of Reading

Writing Successful Reports and Dissertations' is a refreshingly pragmatic book packed with examples spanning a range of disciplines and contexts that will appeal to both students and professionals alike. The book is comprehensive, well-paced and systematic in its coverage of the different stages to writing. It is a must-read for anyone undertaking report or dissertation writing for the first time, or indeed for more experienced readers who would like to enhance their existing writing skills.

Anne Crook
Centre for Quality Support and Development, University of Reading

A very good text surround successful writing of reports and dissertations within HE; this is a great text for students to enhance their undertaking analytical and critical writing.

Mr Simon Brent
FBSE, Southampton Solent University
February 24, 2016

A useful text to support students with their final year dissertation. Clear supportive information presented in an easy to read and navigate format.

Mrs Michelle Thomas
Faculty of Health, Sport and Science, University of South Wales (Glamorgan)
August 28, 2015

Interesting to see a much-needed focus on stages of the writing process rather than the more usual emphasis on methodology in research, though this is still addressed. I particularly like the section on creating research titles and questions which is often an area of confusion for students. Some useful tips for planning and some simple and supportive illustrations - there could have been more of these throughout the book.

Dr Carol Chambers
School Of Education, Nottingham Trent University
March 14, 2016

An excellent text for undergraduates.

Mr Stewart Brown
Greenspace & Creative Studies, Myerscough College
January 28, 2016

A Good manual for students on the ways and means of acceptable reports and dissertations.

Dr Ayoade Akanmu Amuda
Humanities, University of South Wales
December 9, 2015

A really strong introduction to writing and research.

Mr Paul Demetriou-Crane
AEBLS, Havering College of FE & HE
February 11, 2016

Another essential book from the study skills guides. A very good book for all students full of top tips

Mrs Susan Jean Holmes
Department of Work Based Learning, Canterbury Christ Church University
December 15, 2015

Another essential book from the study skills guides. A very good resource for all students. Full of top tips

Mrs Susan Jean Holmes
Department of Work Based Learning, Canterbury Christ Church University
November 27, 2015

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