John Bowden (2)

I've found that no matter how good I think I'm getting at doing something, I can always learn new tricks from someone else. And this book has taught me a few new tricks about report writing. It's often just with the throw away lines, like: don't say things in your report that you wouldn't say to the recipient face to face.
The book is divided into three parts: 1. the typical systematic approach (setting objectives, considering the audience etc); 2. the creative part including word processing and graphics; and 3. Different types of reports ....including things like accident reports, feasibility reports, student projects and scientific reports.
I found it quite useful. I mean, we all know that you should sit down before you write your report and be clear about your objectives but it's really easy to just start writing and hope the objectives will self-emerge. If there is an issue with the book, I think it's that technology has somewhat overtaken it. Originally written in 1991 and this edition published in 2000, it is not really up to date with modern apps and presentation software. And one thing that I've found problematic in my own writing is the difficulty of keeping references and web site linkages up-to-date. Virtually impossible without constant re-checking and re-writing.
But, one should not overstate the technology gap. The fundamentals are still the same; A report needs to be clear and understandable; it needs to deliver what it sets out to do and it needs to be tailored for the audience. All pretty basic but all easy to miss. And this book makes sure that a writer is well aware of the basics. I give the book 3.5 stars.… (mehr)