FREE Report Templates & Examples

The different types of reports include: 

• Short or Long Reports.
• Informational or Analytical Reports.
• Proposal Reports.
• Vertical or Lateral Reports.
• Internal or External Reports.
• Periodic Reports.
• Functional Reports.
   

There are two categories of formal reports: informational and analytical reports. The informational report gathers data and facts used to draw conclusions. The analytical report contains the same information as the informational report, but it also offers recommendations to solve a problem.
 

A long report is always written in a manuscript (narrative style) format. Short reports being informal do not require extended planning and contain varieties of formats. A long report being formal needs careful planning before it is written because planning focuses on your reader(s).
 

The steps to writing a good report are:

Step 1: Decide on the 'Terms of reference' 
Step 2: Decide on the procedure. 
Step 3: Find the information.
Step 4: Decide on the structure. 
Step 5: Draft the first part of your report. 
Step 6: Analyse your findings and draw conclusions. 
Step 7: Make recommendations. 
Step 8: Draft the executive summary and table of contents.
 

A progress report is exactly what it sounds like – a document that explains in detail how far you've gone towards the completion of a project. It outlines the activities you've carried out, the tasks you've completed, and the milestones you've reached vis-à-vis your project plan.