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.

Introduction Part I: Pondering Why 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: Preparing Devising a Strategy Gathering Material Finding Your Voice Part III: Planning Are You a Natural Planner? A Planning Strategy Your First Step Four Planning Methods Part IV: Pausing Negative Pauses Necessary Pauses Positive Pauses Part V: Producing Words Phrases Sentences Paragraphs Sections and Chapters Part VI: Polishing Increasing Impact Checking your Document Now Take Your Fingers off the Keyboard

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. -- Georgina Belcher, Student, University of Reading Georgina Belcher, Student, University of Reading Writing Successful Reports and Dissertations' is a refreshingly pragmatic book packed with examples spanning a range of disciplines and contexts that will appeal to both students and professionals alike. The book is comprehensive, well-paced and systematic in its coverage of the different stages to writing. It is a must-read for anyone undertaking report or dissertation writing for the first time, or indeed for more experienced readers who would like to enhance their existing writing skills. -- Anne Crook, Centre for Quality Support and Development, University of Reading Anne Crook, Centre for Quality Support and Development, University of Reading