5.2 Writing essays and reports
We have already mentioned that essays and reports are the two types of writing most often required in business and management studies. Both are essentially extended pieces of writing with three main parts: an introduction, a main body and a conclusion. Although both have the similarities we have outlined above, there are also some key differences.
The purpose of an essay should be more than a simple description of parts of the material that has been studied. It is about analysing and evaluating the ideas that you find in your studies. This means an essay requires you to show your understanding of the ideas by breaking them down into their component parts. Essays can also encourage you to explore a topic or issue using ideas. In the introduction to an essay the student may tell the reader what will be covered. The conclusion of an essay is often a simple summary of the preceding arguments. Arguments in this context are not heated battles but a set of reasoned points of view that help the reader to better understand the issue being written about. Finally, the structure of essays and reports is different. An essay may use some headings but will rarely use sub-headings.
Reports are a common method of conveying information in the business world. The introduction section of a report is much more specific than an essay, with background information as to why the report is necessary and a clear statement of its purpose saying what the report will try to do. In academic studies, reports usually require you to address an issue and/or to make recommendations for solutions to a problem. The conclusion of a report is much more specific and often includes recommendations or solutions to the problem being examined. In general, reports are more descriptive than essays. A report uses headings, sub-headings, graphics and a table of contents to make its contents clear and easy to find. The headings and sub-headings are usually numbered and bullet points are a common way of making points concisely.
In Table 2 we have summarised some of the key differences between an essay and a report.
| Characteristics of an essay | Characteristics of a report |
|---|---|
| Presents an argument or ideas | Presents information |
| Is usually read carefully so as to follow the argument | Can be skim/read quickly for the ‘big picture’ (see below on ‘abstracts’ and ‘table of contents’) |
| Will rarely need an abstract (a summary of the text at the beginning) | Will often need an abstract (usually called an executive summary) |
| Will not have a table of contents | Will usually include a table of contents |
| Will rarely have recommendations | Because it addresses a particular problem or issue, it may end with recommendations for courses of action |
| Makes very little use of diagrams, tables and charts | Makes common use of diagrams, tables and charts |
| Makes little use of sub-headings | Uses numbered headings and sub-headings |
| Structures ideas into paragraphs that are linked | Uses short, to-the-point paragraphs |
| Does not use bullet points | Uses bullet points |
| Will always need a bibliography and a list of references | Does not always need a bibliography or a list of references |