When material has been collected, one faces the problem of organizing it 

 for a report. It is of utmost importance that this problem be solved properly 

 before actual writing is begun. Writing before an acceptable outline is decided 

 upon is actually a waste of time. 



When one first considers the problem of organization, he may be so imbued 

 with his study that he uses the plan followed in gathering the material to for- 

 mulate the structure of his report. In other words, the first impulse might be 

 merely to push the material together in much the same order in which it was 

 collected. The result would be a routine account of what was done, a kind of 

 research diary, in which the reader could find the purpose and results of the 

 study only by diligent search. Such an organization, although it may serve its 

 purpose well in guiding a study, is certainly not to be recommended for a report, 

 because it is not adjusted to the needs of those who will read the report. 



How should one proceed? Because a new and fresh view of the material 

 and the purpose of the study is called for at this point, one would do well to 

 consult with an intelligent person who is unacquainted with the particular study. 

 One should discuss with such a person why the study was undertaken, how it 

 was conducted, what the results were, and how the report is to be used. Such 

 discussion helps to bring the problem of organizing the report into proper focus, 

 because one is forced in his explanations to do essentially, in an informal way, 

 what he must do in the report — answer first questions first. 



The first step in organizing a report consists of dividing the material into 

 general classifications that are suited to and arranged for the convenience of 

 those who are to read the report. Then the subdivisions of each general classifica- 

 tion should also be made consistent with this purpose, so that the structure of the 

 whole report helps to bring the material into sharp focus for the reader. 



In checking an outline one should examine the main headings, together 

 with each series of subheadings, to make sure that (1) the terminology of 

 each is accurate, (2) the main headings and each series of subheadings are 

 properly proportioned and in parallel form, and (3) there is no single sub- 

 division of a topic (each heading represents a division of material; therefore, 

 because no thing can be divided into one part, a single subdivision is obviously 

 illogical) . 



At this point, it might be advisable for the report writer to discuss again 

 his whole report problem with someone unacquainted with the study, this time 

 in terms of the outline as set up. Such a discussion, which should essentially be 

 an explanation of how the outline achieves its purpose, often clarifies and 

 develops a point that was only partially realized. Although it is true that any 

 outline, no matter how carefully made, requires some modification during actual 

 writing, failure to perfect the organization as much as possible before writing 

 is begun results in much waste of time. In other words, the more one clarifies 



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