RULES FOR REPORT WRITING / GRAPH
DESCRIPTIONS
Graph Description
No title
No headings
No bullet points
Introduction / main body / conclusion (3 paragraphs – 1 each)
Introduction
1-sentence paragraph
This [graph] shows… ([graph] à line graph, bar chart, pie chart)
Main body
3 to 5 sentences
X and y axes
Starting point (at what point (percentage / dollars?) does the graph start
out?)
Don’t overload the reader with numbers
Trends
Use proper graph terminology (see handout)!
E.g., increase / deteriorate / fluctuate / peak / bottom out / remain
stable
Conclusion
In conclusion,
Mention/recap/summarize the main trends
Mention/deal with all aspects
Two sentences
Length: 120-140
General
Formal language / business-like
Introduction / main body / conclusion
Write in proper paragraphs (block paragraphs)
Write proper sentences (full stop at the end, capital at the start)
Avoid I / we / you
Avoid exclamation marks and question marks
Write small numbers out! (1 to 10 à one to ten)
Proper use of FANBOYS (connect two independent clauses, e.g. ‘He is sick, so he will
stay home.’)
Avoid using FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) at the start of a sentence
Alternate words:
And à Furthermore, / Moreover, / In addition, / Additionally
But à However, / Nevertheless, / On the other hand
So à Therefore, / For this sentence
Use linking words (well!)
Avoid contractions (e.g., shouldn’t à should not / he’s à he is)
Avoid informal language / colloquialisms à lots / a lot / a little / a bit / expressions /
idioms / wanna / gonna / kids / any phrase with the verb ‘get’
Avoid abbreviations (e.g. etc.)
Avoid being repetitive (so don’t use the same word all the time)
DESCRIPTIONS
Graph Description
No title
No headings
No bullet points
Introduction / main body / conclusion (3 paragraphs – 1 each)
Introduction
1-sentence paragraph
This [graph] shows… ([graph] à line graph, bar chart, pie chart)
Main body
3 to 5 sentences
X and y axes
Starting point (at what point (percentage / dollars?) does the graph start
out?)
Don’t overload the reader with numbers
Trends
Use proper graph terminology (see handout)!
E.g., increase / deteriorate / fluctuate / peak / bottom out / remain
stable
Conclusion
In conclusion,
Mention/recap/summarize the main trends
Mention/deal with all aspects
Two sentences
Length: 120-140
General
Formal language / business-like
Introduction / main body / conclusion
Write in proper paragraphs (block paragraphs)
Write proper sentences (full stop at the end, capital at the start)
Avoid I / we / you
Avoid exclamation marks and question marks
Write small numbers out! (1 to 10 à one to ten)
Proper use of FANBOYS (connect two independent clauses, e.g. ‘He is sick, so he will
stay home.’)
Avoid using FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) at the start of a sentence
Alternate words:
And à Furthermore, / Moreover, / In addition, / Additionally
But à However, / Nevertheless, / On the other hand
So à Therefore, / For this sentence
Use linking words (well!)
Avoid contractions (e.g., shouldn’t à should not / he’s à he is)
Avoid informal language / colloquialisms à lots / a lot / a little / a bit / expressions /
idioms / wanna / gonna / kids / any phrase with the verb ‘get’
Avoid abbreviations (e.g. etc.)
Avoid being repetitive (so don’t use the same word all the time)
