A (short) report
Report structure:
Introduction/background
“This report was comissioned by the Board of Directors of ….”
“The report will discuss/consider/describe/analyse/review….”
“The report is based on …”
“The report has been divided into three sections…”
Findings
“The findings/figures/results/investigations sho that…”
“It appears that… This has led to a situation where…”
“The graph/table shows that…”
Conclusion/Recommendations
“It is suggested / recommended that …”
“The specific recommendations are as follows….”
Linking words (note that a comma is used after them)
Sequence | Firstly, ... Secondly, .. Finally, ... |
Talking generally | In general, ... Usually, ... On the whole, ... |
Contrast | However, ... Nevertheless, . . . On the other hand, .. |
Adding another point | In addition, ..... Moreover, ..... On another point, ... |
Examples | For example, ... For instance, ... e.g., |
Alternatives | Either ... or... Alternatively, ... Instead of ... |
Real (surprising) situation | In fact, ... Actually, ... As a matter of fact, ... |
Something is obvious | Clearly, ... Obviously, ... Of course, ... |
Most important point | Especially, ... Above all, ... In particular, ... |
Rephrasing In other words | That is to say, ... i.e. |
Result/consequence | As a result, ... Therefore, ... For this reason, ... |
New topic In relation to ... | Regarding ... With reference to .. |
Careful, balanced style
Giving both sides of an argument | In general ..., however, ... On the whole ..., but ... |
Making statements less general | Many/Some ... Usually/Typically/Often ... |
Making a statement less certain | It is possible/probable that ... It seems/appears that ... tends to be ... |
Making a comparison less strong | substantially/considerably/much (+comparative adjective) |
Concluding | On balance, ... |