# Report Writing for Investigations Course (Self-Paced)

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/report-writing-for-investigations-course-self-paced>

## Overview

This writing course addresses how to effectively prepare reports of administrative investigations (ROIs) by focusing on report usefulness and report readability. Students will have an opportunity to study and apply best practices for writing clear, concise, and compelling ROIs. Students will complete practical exercises in class, addressing common writing problems and reinforcing concepts learned. Report readability comes from having a clear, well-organized message that is formatted on the page so that busy readers can find the information they need quickly. This course will cover some basic concepts that will help students improve the readability of their writing. Writing is hard work and best learned, improved, and perfected through writing-reading-rewriting-rereading. The process is iterative, and knowing how to write encompasses knowing what good writing looks like. That means being able to recognize writing that is effective versus writing that is not.

Before taking this course, it is recommended that students have prior experience in conducting or participating in administrative, compliance, or investigative processes, familiarity with legal and ethical considerations in the public sector, and basic skills in documenting or reporting factual findings objectively.

## What you'll learn

- Apply best practices for ROI structure, flow, and formatting to aid readability and impact.
- Practice iterative writing techniques, including drafting, reviewing, and editing for clarity.
- Conduct in-class writing exercises to address common investigator writing challenges.
- Produce messages focused on key findings and clear explanations for busy readers.

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: Review of Fundamentals

- Refresh core grammar: parts of speech, clauses vs. phrases, subjects/predicates, and verb forms (including linking verbs).
- Ensure agreement and correctness: subject–verb agreement, pronoun–antecedent agreement, and tense choices.
- Master punctuation for clarity: seven key comma rules, correct placement of modifiers, and fixing dangling/misplaced modifiers.
- Practice concise, direct sentences by identifying and revising common mechanics issues.

#### Module 2: Readability and Expression

- Define readability and improve it with short (≈17–20 word) sentences, coherent paragraphs, topic sentences, and helpful transitions.
- Use formatting tools that aid rapid reading: bullets/numbered lists and purpose-driven tables.
- Strengthen expression: replace redundancies, nominalizations, smothered verbs, and filler phrases with living, active verbs and plain language.
- Apply clear structure: S-V-O order, simple modifiers, appropriate past tense, and active voice to deliver a single-read message.

#### Module 3: Report Organization

- Plan early with an outline that frames allegations/questions, applicable standards, scope, and essential background.
- Organize facts and analysis logically; decide ordering (e.g., chronology or materiality) and the appropriate level of supporting detail.
- Develop clear, fully supported conclusions that directly answer each allegation/question and guide decision-makers.
- Prepare a persuasive, skimmable ROI that meets agency expectations for completeness, accuracy, timeliness, and writing quality.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $649