How to Write an Executive Report

HOW TO WRITE AN EXECUTIVE REPORT

Here is some advice on how to write an executive report. Different companies will have their own in house styles. For this assessment you will follow this style.

TITLE

Carefully construct the title so that its component parts grab attention.

"A description of the way that gas was generated and migrated in the Natuna Gas Field in the south west part of the South China Sea" is not as exciting as "Petroleum Geology of the Giant Natuna Gas Field, offshore Singapore"

ABSTRACT

Just a couple of lines or so stating the results of your work.....do not quote references

Busy executives want to know if it's worth reading on from this point.

BODY OF TEXT (including figures)

Use headings to structure your essay/report. These headings should be self-evident once you have made your plan

Write in the third person (i.e. none of "we did this, I did that").

Always type your essay/report double spaced, Times font size 12. Include a word count at the end.

Always have an introduction which starts with the aim then briefly states in general terms what the report is all about. Always include a location map.

You will write several sub-headed sections on the different kinds of evidence which will cover the points you identified in the plan. Headings might be:

Regional Tectonic Setting

Source Rocks

Maturation & Migration

Reservoir Rocks

Seal Rocks

Trap Types

Production History

The word limit is 1000 words so you need only write a few sentences on each section. You should expand on the section that you have chosen as your topic of speciality. Because there is a tight word limit, do not waste words on waffle....every sentence must count....and never repeat yourself yourself.

You must illustrate all these sections: remember that every picture is worth a 1000 words. So either: insert figures and tables into the text with typed captions included under each figure or: attach Appendices at the end, likewise with captions. (Glued-in xerox copies or out of focus Web Page scans with unreadable print are unacceptable). Every caption will state the reference from where the figure or table was sourced.

DISCUSSION

You will always have a discussion section, headed 'Discussion' (eg Discussion of Source Rocks) where the data is brought together and discussed in terms of processes and timing and if relevant, criticised with reference to published hypotheses. Discuss pros and cons. Outside reading should be brought into the discussion. You must reference these articles/books/web sites in the text: eg. (Brown et al. 2008). Example:

If possible, propose your own modifications to the hypotheses. Propose a new hypothesis! Again, use figures to illustrate what you are proposing. This should be a substantial part of the report and should be well illustrated.

CONCLUSIONS

Your conclusions should be short and sharp and should be directed towards the title and the aim. Bullet points can give emphasis. Do not introduce new data or ideas into this section

REFERENCES

Give