Writing Successful Reports and Dissertations

Lucinda Becker is Professor of Pedagogy and an award-winning lecturer and tutor at the University of Reading. She has dedicated her professional life to creating independent learners who are confident in themselves intellectually, professionally and personally. Lucinda has written numerous study guides for students and works with undergraduates and postgraduates across the university. She is also a professional trainer and consultant, helping new graduates in engineering, science and law to become successful communicators and leaders.

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.

• IntroductionPart I: PonderingWhy 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: PreparingDevising a StrategyGathering MaterialFinding Your VoicePart III: PlanningAre You a Natural Planner?A Planning StrategyYour First StepFour Planning MethodsPart IV: PausingNegative PausesNecessary PausesPositive PausesPart V: ProducingWordsPhrasesSentencesParagraphsSections and ChaptersPart VI: PolishingIncreasing ImpactChecking your DocumentNow Take Your Fingers off the Keyboard