Report & Proposal Writing

Developing Persuasive Writing Skills

Effectively written reports and proposals are imperative for business success. Learn to present your ideas in a convincing and professional style. 'Report & Proposal Writing' is essential for all office professionals and managers. This course is concise yet dense with information that will empower you to write with confidence and skill.

Course Duration: Two days

Course Outline:

Unit 1: Introduction
Understanding the requirements of effective report and proposal writing.

• Reports and proposals - the differences and similarities
• Evaluating writing habits
• Assignment 1: My writing habits

Unit 2: Planning, Researching & Organising Information
Effective planning is fundamental for writing well-structured documents.

• Types of objectives
• Setting an objective
• Researching: concept, programme, expenses
• Mind Mapping in a Minute: organising the information
• Profiling the Reader: reader analysis and adaptation
• Structuring and organising information
• Assignment 2: Reader Profile

Unit 3: Report Writing
Increase your knowledge of report writing.

• Five important requirements of report writing
• Types of Reports: Incident, Accident, Sales, Progress, Feasibilty, Site and Case Study
• Research Reports
• Informative/Evaluative Reports
• Formal/Full report structure
  - Front matter: Title page, Acknowledgements, Executive Summary/Abstract, Terms of Reference,  Methodology/Procedures
  - Core: Introduction/Background, Findings/Analysis, Conclusions, Recommendations
  - Back Matter: Bibliography, Appendix, Glossary
• Assignment 3: Report Writing

Unit 4: Proposal Writing
Write proposals with confidence.

• Five important requirements of proposal writing
• Psychology of persuasion: using proposal guidelines, distinctive features, evaluation criteria and strategic thinking
• Using the 4P proposal structure
• Formal/Full proposal structure
  - Front matter: Introductory letter, Executive summary/abstract
  - Core: Introduction, Background or Statement of problem, Proposed Solutions, Procedure/Methods, Evaluation Plan/Project Review, Conclusions
  - Back Matter: Budgets or costs, Appendix
• Assignment 4: Proposal Writing

Unit 5: Effective Language
Using the correct language ensures that the reader understands and appreciates your writing.

• Style and Tone: emphasise the positive
• Degrees of Formality: Register
• Assignment 5: Writing an Abstract

Unit 6: Essentials of Good Grammar
Correct grammar in a document projects a professional image.

• Readability
• Concise Language
• Avoiding Repetition
• Reducing Sentence Length
• Using plain English
• Parts of Speech: Verbs and Tense
• Vocabulary
• Assignment 6: Readability - evaluating your writing

Unit 7: Editing
Editing forms an important part of successful writing because it is the final 'check' before the writer sends the document to the reader.

• Being Critical: what went wrong?
• Types of Editing: Content, Linguistic Flow, Style and Tone, Accuracy
• Tracking the Improvement
• Assignment 7: My Writing Habits
• Assignment 8: Evaluating Report and Proposal Samples

Unit 8: Presenting your Work
The presentation of information determines whether it is accepted as valid by the reader.

• Layout
• Appendices
• Charts and Graphs

Delegates attending the course should bring one sample report or proposal to analyse.

Accreditation

Ingwe Corporate Training is an accredited provider with the Services SETA (SETQAA Decision number 1994). 'Report & Proposal Writing' is a SETA accredited course and is aligned to the unit standard 110023 'Present information in report format', level 4, 6 credits. Learners are able to complete the summative assessment at the end of the course and, if deemed competent earn NQF credits.