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For some assessments you will be asked to write a report which explains, examines and reflects on a project you have done.

Depending on your course, this might be a music production project or a business project, such as organising an event.

Like essays, a report will have a beginning, middle and end. They require a reflective writing approach but often have other specific requirements.

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Reflective writing can be a powerful way to enhance and deepen learning by looking back on an experience. It can help you make connections between practice and theory.

We often think about how things have gone. Reflective writing consolidates this thinking in a form that helps us apply skills and knowledge more effectively in the future.

You might be asked to reflect on your learning across a semester or within a particular module; you might be required to reflect on the development of particular skills, such as vocal performance or your musicianship on a specific instrument; you might be asked to reflect on the outcomes of a project.

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Below is a suggested structure for a report - but make sure you check the specific requirements in your assessment brief.

Introduction

This describes your project:

background

objectives

outcome

Methodology/Process

Give an overview of your technical rationale/approach:

What did you do; why did you choose this method?

Describe anything else about what you did that you have not yet covered - who, what, where, how?

Critical Evaluation

This should be a more detailed examination of what you have done, weighing up the success of the project and reflecting on what you have learned.

Conclusion

Here, restate the project aims and the extent to which they were achieved. Consider any wider implications: impact on your learning or professional skills or for the wider topic.

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Academic writing explores a topic by examining evidence of different kinds.

It should be:

Objective

Base your writing on evidence, which you weigh fairly

Clear & Concise

Keep sentences short, focused on the point you are making

Cautious

Do not over-claim, or over-generalise

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Language should be precise, impersonal and can be tentative.

Precise:

"Data show that 63% of YouTube

Music users have a degree"

Impersonal:

"It is argued that Hip Hop could not exist without sampling"

Tentative:

"Music artists today tend to use social media as a marketing tool"

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Paragraphs are the building blocks of your writing. Each paragraph deals with a particular point, or topic.

This enables the reader to concentrate on one idea at a time. It can also help you as a writer to organise your thoughts and address your points in order.

When planning your writing,

make a list of the points you will want to make

decide the order in which you will write about them

write a paragraph for each point

Structure of a paragraph

The first sentence tells us what the paragraph is about - it makes your point

The second develops your point by expanding or clarifying

In the next provide evidence which shows why you are making the point

Finish with a concluding sentence, which links to the main point or title question or prepares the reader for the next point

The acronym PEEL may help you remember how to structure your paragraph: point, explanation, evidence, link

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Most writing is organised as beginning, middle and end. This is true of essays, which are organised like this:

Introduction

In essays, the beginning (introduction) tells the reader what you are going to talk about. It sets the scene. What question will you explore?

Main body

The middle is built from paragraphs that each examine a specific point, moving your argument forward.

Conclusion

The end (the conclusion) restates the aim of the writing; summarises the main argument and findings; indicates any broader implications.

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What structure should reflective writing have?

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What structure should reflective writing have?

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Your reflective writing can describe what happened and how you feel about it - but that is just a small part of reflection.

Gibbs' Reflective Cycle demonstrates a recommended process which can guide the structure of your writing.

Description

What did you do/What happened?

Feelings

How do you feel about the experience?

Evaluation

What went well; what was less successful?

Analysis

Why did things go well/not go well? What knowledge – my own or, for example, academic literature can help make sense of the experience?

Conclusion

What have you learned and what you could you have done differently?

Action plan

How you would apply your knowledge in the future?

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A case study is a type of report (or essay) that considers how one specific 'case' relates to theory taught in your class. That is, you are asked to understand and explain how a real-world example demonstrates or challenges ideas discussed in the course.

A case could be, for example, a company, an individual, an event or an issue.

There are models you can use to guide your analysis:

The SWOT approach proposes examining the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities (e.g., for a business) and threats (e.g., from competitors).

A more complex model is PESTEL, which stands for political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal factors. These factors might correspond to strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the SWOT analysis - there could be, e.g., legal or environmental 'threats' to a record label's ability to operate; there could be a new technological opportunity for a music artist.

Structure

You may be asked to write your case study as an essay or as a report. A case study report structure could look like this:

Introduction

Background

Purpose

Approach - what theory and research approach?

Discussion/Analysis

Identify issues

Link to theories from your class

Explain causes or implications of the issues identified

Consider possible solutions

Conclusion

Restate main points and what learned

Recommendations and Action Plan [if required]

Make sure to check the requirements in your assessment brief to be sure what is required.

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