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7. Final test

Finally, check your report. How do you know it is good one, or even adequate? Use some simple tests. First, compare it with the brief you started with. Does it correspond? Leave it for a day or two and re-read it. You will almost certainly notice things that need changing if you come back to it after a break. Maybe your first thoughts were correct, but were they expressed well?

Getting someone else to read the report is not always as helpful as you might expect, unless they are willing and able to make relevant and constructive criticism. However, they will be able to tell you if what you have written is comprehensible. On the whole, though, you are on your own at this stage. One thing which can show up flaws is to read the draft out loud to yourself. Some people can’t bear to do this, but it does show up misleading sentence construction and missing punctuation.

Check that the most important ideas are presented at the most advantageous places. The first words of a sentence get greatest prominence in the mind of the reader, and the first sentence of any paragraph should encapsulate the subject of the paragraph. The last sentence of a paragraph is a good place for a summary of what the paragraph has arrived at.

Look for any weakness, or lack of support for what you say. If it is a critical point, do something about it. If it is a side issue, consider dumping it. If a reader can demolish one argument, even in a peripheral issue, they will get the bit between their or her teeth and descend savagely on the remainder. Remember that your report may be read by enemies as well as friends. Be careful about using tricks like leaving an opposing argument that you intend to refute later, or a weak point that you mend later, or that you intend to deal with in a verbal discussion. Your reader may never get to the later point, or you may not be called to a meeting where you can discuss it.

Always be aware of your future readers, and sensitive and realistic about how they will react.


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