Overall structure
Title – Contains key words or phrases to give a clear and concise description of the scope and nature of the investigation
Abstract – Summary of report (this is not an introduction)
Introduction – Identifies the purpose, provides a rationale and overviews significance
Sections – 4 to 6 well-ordered sections with logical flow of ideas
Conclusions – Summary of main points and implication
Abstract
What?
Summary of report, not an introduction. Approx. 200 -250 words.
Why?
Abstract may be all that people read if the report is published. The abstract informs the reader about whether or not the report is of interest to them.
Quality indicators:
Accurately describes the purpose, general content for the report, key findings and conclusions.
Guiding questions:
Would someone reading the abstract understand what was reviewed and why, and the conclusions drawn as a result of the investigation.
Introduction
Acquaints reader with the topic and purpose of the report
Describes context in which the topic is to be explored
Should generate the audience’s interest in the topic
Offers an overview of the ensuing argument/content
Constructing the initial paragraph – engaging the reader
Personal anecdote?
Example – real or hypothetical
Statistics
Question
Striking image/portrait of the problem or issue
Sections in your Report
4 to 6 sections
Quality of literature research (e.g., currency, breadth, scholarly)
Capacity to analyze and synthesize literature
Level of critical thinking and understanding about the topic
Ensure readability of sections
Provide continuity in your argument from first section to last section
Readability (or paragraph or sentence); it can be understood in one pass
Informative headings (and sub-headings) are important:
Be generous with them
Feel free to use verbs to make them informative
Finalize the headings after you have written the total report
Voice
A shift in voice from first person to present your views (I believe …) to third person to present facts (The research indicates …. ) can help to focus the reader’s attention
Use first person to engage the reader, but use sparingly
Sections
Quality indicators
Well organized and well balanced structure
Generally moves from broad topics to specific ones
Summary at the end of each section emphasizing the key points
Transition sentences provided between sections facilitate reading
Accurate, verified citations and free of plagiarism
Common errors
Poor overall organizational structure
Overuse of quotes used
Serial list of ideas from authors rather than a synthesis of ideas
No distinction made between theoretical and empirical works or between the quality of sources (e.g., significant studies/authors; peer-reviewed journals versus policy document media reports)
Conclusions
Reiterate your main points and implications
Leave your reader with a sense that you achieved what you set out to achieve in the introduction
Do not introduce any new information
Answer any issues raised in the introduction
As you read in (Progress Report with final feedback) in feedback Don’t do it as a medical model. My recommendation moving forward would be to leave out the section on deconstructing myths and focus instead on your main topic of supporting students with autism in the classroom.