TIP:
Writing summarising sentences in note form, based on the information you are given, can help you to select and organise the information to include when you are writing a conclusion.
1. Collocation casino.
Play the casino game. Decide if the collocations in each sentence are correct or incorrect.
For example:
I would like to do the following recommendations. = Incorrect
I would like to make the following recommendations. = Correct
- You start with 20 points.
- Decide how many points you want to bet.
- When you are correct, you win double the points.
- When you are incorrect, you lose the points.
How many points can you win?
See a table of some common collocations found in written reports.
| verbs | + nouns |
| carry out, do | research, an inspection, an investigation, a survey |
| come up with | a plan, a solution, a recommendation |
| compile | a list |
| draw, come to, arrive at | a conclusion |
| establish | criteria |
| evaluate, assess | options |
| meet, fulfil, satisfy | requirements |
| gather, collect, request, collate | information |
| give, list | solutions |
| identify, select | key information |
| make | a recommendation, a suggestion, a decision, a point, a comparison |
| reach | a decision, a conclusion |
| take | factors into account |
2. Drawing conclusions.
As a result of the findings in Section 4 the Nova and Toshdo tablets were shortlisted for recommendation. Look at the table of information again and answer the questions below.
| Specification | Nova | Toshdo | Kimov |
| Operating system | Robot 5.1 | Robot 5.0 | Lexical 7 |
| Processor | 2 X 1GHz dual-core | Monkey 7 dual-core | 1GHz dual-core |
| Display size | 10.1" | 10.1" | 7" |
| Resolution | 1280 x 800 XGA | 1280 x 800 WXGA | 1024 x 600 |
| RAM | 1GB | 1.5GB | 512MB |
| Memory | 16GB or 32GB | 16GB or 32GB | 8GB |
| Battery life (max.) | 14 hours | 10 hours | 8 hours |
| Weight | 589 g | 725 g | 362 g |
| WiFi reception | strong | strong | moderate |
| Support and service | Yes | Yes | No |
| Price | $472 | $380 | $160 |
3. Two samples.
TIP:
Comparing samples of different reports can highlight useful language and text features that you can incorporate into your own reports.
Read two different samples of the Conclusions and Recommendations section of a written report. Which sample is more appropriate?
Sample A
Conclusions
After looking at the three shortlisted models I found that the best ones for classroom use, for teachers and students, are probably the Nova and the Toshdo.
It is quite important to consider the long-term benefits to students and teachers when choosing the best tablet for classroom use. Apart from the initial cost, warranty, speed, size and battery life are the important things to consider. Both the Nova and the Toshdo are good in these areas, with very similar performance, but the Nova is just a little bit lighter and faster.
Recommendations
Based on all of this, I'd like to make these recommendations: After checking out both of the tablets, I think the Nova is the best, because it's a bit smaller, sturdier and works better, which means it's worth the extra cost. So, I would recommend the Nova tablet to use in our classrooms.
Sample B
Conclusions
After investigating the three shortlisted models it was found that two of these are suitable for classroom use and would meet teacher and student requirements of performance and specifications: the Nova and the Toshdo.
It is important to consider the long-term benefits to students and teachers when choosing the best tablet for classroom use. Apart from the initial expense of purchase, warranty, speed, size and battery life are the key factors which have been taken into account. Both the Nova and the Toshdo score highly in these areas, with comparable performance, and the Nova being marginally lighter and faster, but also more expensive.
Recommendations
These conclusions lead to the following recommendations. After taking both tablets into consideration, it can be said that the Nova is the most suitable due to its size, durability and performance, which could be seen as justifying its greater expense. Therefore, I would recommend the Nova tablet for use in our classrooms.
Finally, I hope that you find the information in this report useful. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further enquiries or require additional information.
Regards,
Nicola Case
4. Text completion.
Use the phrases to complete Sample B from the previous exercise. This exercise is in two parts. Scroll down to see Part 2.
Part 1
Part 2
6. Achieving a formal style.
Read the first sentence, and then type in the missing words to complete the second sentence, written in a more formal style. You can double-click or tap on each space to see the first letter of the missing word.
8. Cause and effect.
TIP:
Using a variety of language and avoiding repetition can leave the reader with a more positive impression. What's more, being able to say the same thing in different ways gives you more scope when highlighting key information and linking ideas in each section of a report. In the following exercises you will practise different ways of describing cause and effect.
Look at the example sentences describing cause and effect.
These conclusions lead to the following recommendations.
The Nova is the most suitable due to its size.
Now match the two parts to complete more "cause and effect" sentences.
11. Sentence starters: Extending your range.
In which section do you think you would find these sentence starters? Drag them to the correct box.
Task
Now write the Conclusions and Recommendations sections for the report that you studied in Section 4. You can see the original brief again here.
Dear Janet,
Due to the unavailability of our CCC centre next year, we need to consider an alternative venue for the E-4-Education conference. Both the HG Conference Centre and Ztech Functions are in suitable locations in the city. I would like you to do some research to recommend which of these two venues better suits the conference needs. Please use the following criteria:
Capacity
Cost
Transport options
Venue facilities
Please write a report on your research and findings and send it to me by the end of the month.
Regards,
Mark
Mark Jackson
E-4-Education conference organiser
Use the following notes to help you write the final section of this report. Remember to include language that you have studied in this section.
TIP:
Do a first draft of this section, incorporating all the information you need to include. Then take a break before reading through and improving on your first draft.
Conclusions section notes
Two conclusions: 1) both venues fulfil requirements, 2) big price difference
HG centre: more impressive, but more expensive (hard to justify added cost)
Ztech centre: adequate, meets requirements in brief (reduced cost could be passed down to conference participants, more affordable)
Travel factor not important for one-off event.
HG centre probably too big. (Full venue better than half-full one)
Recommend Ztech centre for its cost and size.
Write between 200 and 240 words.
When you have completed the task, you can look at a sample answer. Compare the sample answer with your own.
Conclusions
Based on the findings above, two conclusions can be drawn. Firstly, that both proposed venues fulfil the requirements listed in the brief, and secondly, that the considerable difference in price is the deciding factor when reaching a final decision.
In terms of the venue characteristics, it could be argued that the HG centre is the more impressive of the two, however, it would be difficult to justify its added expense, given that the Ztech centre also adequately meets the requirements listed in the brief. It is important to consider this cost factor and the possibility that the reduced cost of the centre could be passed down to the conference participants, and in this way, make attendance more affordable.
It could also be argued that the travel factor for a one-off event such as this is not of great importance. Furthermore, I suggest that a near-capacity conference venue is more desirable than a half-empty one, as the HG centre is too large for the expected number of participants.
Recommendations
The above conclusions lead to the following recommendations: After taking both venues into consideration, it can be said that the Ztech centre is the most suitable due to its size and rental cost. Therefore, I would recommend this centre as the venue for the E-4-Education annual conference.
Finally, I hope that you find the information in this report useful. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further enquiries or require additional information.
Regards,
Janet Gifford
Based on the findings above, two conclusions can be drawn. Firstly, that both proposed venues fulfil the requirements listed in the brief, and secondly, that the considerable difference in price is the deciding factor when reaching a final decision.
In terms of the venue characteristics, it could be argued that the HG centre is the more impressive of the two, however, it would be difficult to justify its added expense, given that the Ztech centre also adequately meets the requirements listed in the brief. It is important to consider this cost factor and the possibility that the reduced cost of the centre could be passed down to the conference participants, and in this way, make attendance more affordable.
It could also be argued that the travel factor for a one-off event such as this is not of great importance. Furthermore, I suggest that a near-capacity conference venue is more desirable than a half-empty one, as the HG centre is too large for the expected number of participants.
Recommendations
The above conclusions lead to the following recommendations: After taking both venues into consideration, it can be said that the Ztech centre is the most suitable due to its size and rental cost. Therefore, I would recommend this centre as the venue for the E-4-Education annual conference.
Finally, I hope that you find the information in this report useful. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further enquiries or require additional information.
Regards,
Janet Gifford