Reference no: EM132363715

Assessment - Academic Report Writing

Topic 1: Given environmental concerns, tourism in the developing world is unsustainable

Topic 2: Luxury and green are incompatible goals for the hotel industry

1. The Report Writing Process

Research topic via academic and industry sources
Pick a viewpoint from your research in response to this topic (one side only)
This viewpoint becomes your argument
State your argument to your chosen topic up front in your report (introduction section)
Argue towards your argument throughout your entire report, referring continually to industry and academic sources to construct an informed response.

2. Structuring Your Academic Report

Section Description
Title page Professionally presented. No large fonts please.
1. Topic question
2. Title that expresses your argument.
Executive Summary Gives an overview of the report at a glance.
This is not the same as an introduction. The executive summary is a stand-alone document. The reader should be able to read this and know what the entire report is about.
How to write an executive summary:
• Generally, you include at least one sentence to summarise each main section of your report.
• The summary appears on its own page.
• The executive summary is written AFTER you write the report.

Table of Contents
A list of the major and minor sections of your report, correctly formatted and presented. Include the starting page number of each. The Table of Contents is placed on its own page.

Introduction Start a new page from the TOC.
1. State the purpose of the report

2. Identify your chosen topic (UIG)

3. Identify the viewpoint you will argue: your argument!

4. Define how you have interpreted key terms from the assignment topic
(e.g. ‘Unsustainable', ‘green', or ‘greenwashing'.

5. Indicate the scope of the report (i.e. what the report will cover).

Body SECTION

Heading; sub-headings The body develops your argument. To do this, you will discuss a number ofKEY POINTS that relate to your argument.
To write this section:
Choose an appropriate heading for the body section that indicates your argument. E.g. ‘The Unsustainability of Tourism in Developing Countries'.
Use sub-headings to structure the argument's development.
These sub-headings identify the key points you will argue.

Paragraph structure
Proper paragraphs are very important to maintain the flow and direction of your report, and ensure readability.
Paragraphs should introduce, develop and conclude an idea: do not leave ideas unfinished and re-commence their discussion in the next paragraph, uncles you have used appropriate linking sentences (see below).
Use writing techniques such as TOPIC and LINKING sentences to structure paragraphs:
Topic sentence: Identifies the key points that will be discussed in that paragraph in ONE sentence. Links to argument.
Linking sentence: Concludes idea from current paragraph, and introduces the idea that will be explored in the next.

Conclusions First, restate your argument.
Secondly: sum up the main points of the report (plus how these points developed your argument).
No surprises please! (That is, don't include new information here).

Presenting Your Academic Report
The content and structure of your report is important; so is the presentation and style. First impressions count, so consider these simple tips to ensure your report is reader-friendly:
• Ensure the separate parts of your report stand out clearly

• Number key headings (e.g. 1. Introduction).
•
Use subheadings as required, following hierarchy numbering to number sub-headings (e.g. 2.1)

• Use tables and figures if needed (graphs, illustrations, maps etc.) for clarification.

Label them clearly and cite the source. These graphics should relate to the text of your report; for example, Figure 1 shows that the population of Bandung has increased dramatically since 1890, or The population of Bandung has increased dramatically since 1890 (see Figure 1).

• Number each page (a neat header and/or footer makes your work look more professional)

• Use consistent and appropriate formatting (you may like to follow the report format supplied with your word processing package)

• Use formal language. Do not refer to the first person (e.g. ‘I').

Choose one Harvard referencing style