B0268 - WORKSHOP ON SKILLS DEVELOPMENT - REPORT WRITING

Learning outcomes

The aim of the Workshop is to introduce students to the elaboration of professional reports for selected audiences. At the end of the Workshop, students will reach the following results: 1) Understand the fundamentals of formal writing for reports 2) Make full use of the main l IT tools for report writing 3) Elaborate different reports for selected audiences.

Course contents

This workshop focuses on the acquisition of skills and abilities for writing diversified reports, analyses and briefs for different organisations (international organisations, NGOs, national institutions, etc.) and in different international sectors-

In particular, the workshop concentrates on the following main contents:

1. The basics of report writing
2. Planning and preparation for report writing
3. Research and information collection
4. Time management and relations with stakeholders
5. Writing a conflict analysis report
6. Reporting from conflict-affected areas and dealing with sensitive information
7. Writing a monitoring and evaluation report
8. Digital tools, AI and report writing
   
9. Writing a human rights report
   

Please note that the workshop does not focus on academic writing.

Readings/Bibliography

Materials will be distributed in class and the detailed bibliography will be online during the workshop.

Teaching methods

The course foresees working groups, small groups and individual exercises, learning games and other work and experiential activities. The instructor will share handouts during the workshop. Students’ participation and preparedness are crucial to ensuring a successful learning experience.

Assessment methods

Students who regularly attend classes (at least 80%)

For students regularly attending classes, they will be assessed (pass-fail) based on attendance, active class participation, class working groups and presentations.

Students who do not regularly attend classes

Students who do not regularly attend classes will be assessed (pass-fail) through a final written report.

Students must:

1. Regularly read all the materials uploaded on Virtuale. In particular, study the handbook: John Bowden, "Part 1 The practical side of report writing" in Writing a Report, 2011 (uploaded in week 1).
   
   
2. Send by email at the end of the workshop (within 13 May 2025, there are no further exam sessions planned) a short report with your main take-aways and lessons acquired from the handbook, presentations and readings (between 1,500 and 2,000 words). Please structure the report as follow:
   1. Short introduction on your academic path and interest on report writing;
   2. Main take-aways from the handbook: John Bowden, "Part 1 The practical side of report writing" in Writing a Report, 2011;
   3. Insights, observations and lessons learned from the other reading materials in Virtuale;
   4. Conclusion on your possible future application (academia, professional use, etc.) of the information and skills acquired in this workshop.
      

Pelase note that a substantial use of Generative AI will be sanctioned with "Fail" as an assessment of the workshop.

According to the "University Policy for an Ethical and Responsible Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Research", "Substantial use is when the GenAI output is an original or novel idea. For example, substantial use includes data analysis in which GenAI finds a new result or suggests a novel research perspective. The use of GenAI by researchers to produce a large part of a (scientific) article or by students in assessment tests, including dissertations, also constitutes substantial use."

The Professor reamins available by email for questions or doubts on the readings.

Teaching tools

Class working groups, presentations, individual readings and tasks, etc.

All the main learning materials will be published on Virtuale.

Students with a form of disability or specific learning disabilities (DSA) who are requesting academic adjustments or compensatory tools are invited to communicate their needs to the teaching staff in order to properly address them and agree on the appropriate measures with the competent bodies.

Office hours

See the website of Bernardo Venturi