Constructing sentences - Writing longer reports

Many engineers spend much of their working day writing reports. These reports often include an executive summary and contain recommendations and conclusions. In this webinar we focus on these longer reports.

In this recorded webinar we consider longer reports, with particular focus on the executive summary, on paragraph structure and on writing up recommendations and conclusions. We also discuss how to deal with interruptions and distractions, and how to avoid ‘writers’ block’.

We also discuss how one can deal with interruptions and distractions, and what to do if you are finding it difficult to get started on your document.

Learning outcomes

Delegates who take part in this webinar will gain:

• an understanding of what should be included in executive summaries and what omitted
• information on how and when to write the executive summary
• an understanding of how long executive summaries should be
• an understanding of when and how recommendations should be written up
• an understanding of how paragraph structure impacts on meaning
• an understanding of how paragraphs can be used to create a logical flow through your document
• tools to assist in getting started on a document, in dealing with interruptions, and in maintaining momentum. 

Intended audience

This webinar will be useful to anyone who writes technical documents

Webinar format

Principles and tips will be explained, and delegates will complete practice excercises.

Presenter information

Dr. Gigi Fenster studied law in South Africa, where she was a founder member of the Construction Industry Development Board, a lecturer on the Association of Arbitrator’s Construction Law course, and a provider of training to the construction industry. For the past sixteen years she has lived in New Zealand, and has worked in government and in the polytechnic sector teaching law. Gigi has taught law for more than twenty years and has written training courses, manuals and seminar notes for the construction and other industries. She provides ongoing consulting services to private firms and government. Gigi has a particular interest in international engineering contracts and the FIDIC contracts in particular. She has provided training on FIDIC in various countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific.