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| Format | |
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physical presentation, legibility, layout |
stapled or comb-bound, folders should not be used |
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headings and sub headings |
developed logically and consistently at each level(e.g. size and style of headings) |
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decimal numbering system |
used accurately and consistently; fourth level avoided |
| Tables and figures | |
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key tables/figures |
used in the text(others, if required, in appendix) |
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zeros and rounded numbers |
used for clarity sometimes |
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captions of tables/figures |
selected for specific differences between tables/figure |
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caption information |
consistent with text information |
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data in tables/figures |
consistent with data in report |
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symbols/labels/signs |
explained clearly |
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asterisks |
added explanatory notes of further information, abbreviations, sources etc. that do not fit into rows or columns |
| Structure | |
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names/titles of people etc. |
spelt correctly & acknowledged fully |
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executive summary |
written to highlight and summarise significant information |
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table of contents |
matched exactly to text (e.g. titles of headings with decimal and pages numbering) |
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numbered sections with headings |
introduction, body (divided clearly and developed logically) and conclusions |
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definitions of new terms |
expressed accurately and clearly |
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abbreviations & acronyms |
written in full when first used |
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report self-contained |
include all relevant information |
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appendices |
each referred to in the text of the report |
| Content | |
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information content |
depth & appropriateness, use of sufficient referenced material, author's opinion/key finding clearly stated |
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quality of discussion, conclusions |
relationship to content, summative quality |
| Referencing | |
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acknowledges all sources of information (other than your own) |
Includes sources for diagrams and tables and wherever information is paraphrased or quoted in the text of the report. Referenced correctly twice, both in text and in reference list |
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fully documented reference list, |
only one reference system used : author-date or numerical system-all elements included |
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punctuation and elements |
standardised exactly (e.g. order of elements, punctuation, capitals/case, formatting) |
| Technical | |
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The report has been adequately proof-read |
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wordiness |
Redundant or unnecessary words and phrases omitted |
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sentences |
complete, tight, focused and varied in length |
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passive voice |
Used appropriately to emphasise the object of action rather than the agent. Passive: A large deviation
was observed (object is large deviation- agent is unknown) |
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parallel construction in lists |
Where practical, begin each point in a list with a similar grammatical pattern.
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agreement |
Subjects and verbs are related in number and person Eg; She does/We do/it does |
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Other expression |
gender inclusive language, grammar, spelling, punctuation, Consistent and appropriate tenses, fluency, correct word choice, conciseness, avoids clichés |
(Adapted from Winkel & Hart, 1996, p. 44)