Assignment types

The purpose of a lab or prac report is to:

• explain what you did
• draw conclusions.

Audience

When you're writing a lab or prac report, think of your target audience as:

• your peers
• other researchers wanting to replicate your experiments.

Writing style

Lab or prac reports should:

• be clear and objective
• be written in past tense and passive voice.

Structure and content

Use headings for sections in a lab or prac report.

Describe your actions and results in step-by-step order.

Include the following sections:

• Introduction
• Methods
• Results
• Discussion.

Reports usually include tables, graphs and other graphics to present data and supplement the text. To learn how to design and use these elements effectively, see our guides to:

• incorporating tables, figures, statistics and equations (PDF, 1.2MB)
• graphic presentation (PDF, 2.9MB).

The purpose of a case study is to:

• examine a situation
• identify positives and negatives
• make recommendations.

Audience

When you're writing a case study, think of your target audience as:

• professionals (not just academics)
• politicians
• the general public.

Writing style

Case studies should:

• be written in a factual and authoritative tone
• be concise and easy to follow.

Structure and content

Use numbered headings for sections in a case study.

Make sure you include:

• table of contents
• executive summary.

Reports usually include tables, graphs and other graphics to present data and supplement the text. To learn how to design and use these elements effectively, see our guides to:

• incorporating tables, figures, statistics and equations (PDF, 1.2MB)
• graphic presentation (PDF, 2.9MB).

The purpose of an article review is to:

• evaluate or critique the article's data, research methods and results.

Audience

When you're writing an article review, think of your target audience as:

• your peers
• people interested in your profession.

Writing style

Article reviews should:

• be written in an analytical and evaluative tone
• use present tense and active voice.

Structure and content

Don't use headings for sections in article reviews.

Your review should include:

• a brief summary of the article being reviewed
• your commentary on the quality of the work.

Reports usually include tables, graphs and other graphics to present data and supplement the text. To learn how to design and use these elements effectively, see our guides to:

• incorporating tables, figures, statistics and equations (PDF, 1.2MB)
• graphic presentation (PDF, 2.9MB).

The purpose of a literature review is to:

• identify key areas across literature
• understand current thinking
• find a 'gap' for research.

Audience

When you're writing a literature review, think of your target audience as:

• researchers
• academics
• fellow professionals.

Writing style

Literature reviews should be:

• written in a formal style
• objective, but you can include tentative opinions based on the text.

Structure and content

Use meaningful headings for sections in a literature review (not just 'introduction', 'body' and 'conclusion').

Organise your content into:

• introduction
• body
• conclusion.

 See how to write a literature review

The purpose of an annotated bibliography is to:

• identify key literature on a topic
• evaluate the usefulness of the literature in relation to the topic
• inform others.

Audience

When you're writing an annotated bibliography, think of your target audience as:

• researchers
• academics
• fellow professionals.

Writing style

Use a formal and objective tone in an annotated bibliography.

Structure and content

An annotated bibliography should:

• list works alphabetically by author
• include an indented 1-2 paragraph summary and critique for each work.

The purpose of a reflective journal is to:

• identify your understanding
• reflect on your thinking
• understand how and what you've learned.

Audience

When you're writing a reflective journal, think of your target audience as:

• yourself.

Writing style

In a reflective journal you can use:

• a more informal style, but make sure it's still clear
• a conversational tone - write as if you're thinking aloud
• the first person ('I' or 'me').

Structure and content

In a reflective journal you should:

• refer to texts, lectures and practical situations
• make links between formal learning and personal meaning.

The purpose of a project report is to:

• report on work that has been done, or
• plan for work to is to be done.

Audience

When you're writing a project report, think of your target audience as:

• an outside organisation, such as a government department or non-government organisation (NGO)

Writing style

Use a factual tone in a project report.

Vary your tense depending on what you're writing about. Use:

• present tense to outline the current situation
• past tense to describe work that has been completed
• future tense to explain work that is proposed.

Structure

Include the following sections:

• Title page
• Acknowledgements
• Executive summary or abstract
• Table of contents
• Introduction and body (no heading)
• Conclusion and recommendations
• References or bibliography
• Glossary
• Appendices.

Reports usually include tables, graphs and other graphics to present data and supplement the text. To learn how to design and use these elements effectively, see our guides to:

• incorporating tables, figures, statistics and equations (PDF, 1.2MB)
• graphic presentation (PDF, 2.9MB).

For advice on writing, designing and delivering a presentation, see the presentation skills guide.