Elements of Language: Fifth Course, Chapter 3

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Writer's Model

Progress Report

A progress report describes the status of a project. People write progress reports to inform someone—a boss, a teacher, a colleague—about the work that has been completed on a project, the work that is in the process of completion, and the plans for future development of the project.

Many progress reports use the structure illustrated in the framework below. Print this framework and use it as a guide when you write your own progress report.

Introduction
• Describe the time period covered by the progress report.
• State the purpose of your project.

Provide a context Give a general description of the project and why you chose to undertake it.
Announce the time frame Let your readers know how long you have been working on the project and when it will be completed.
State your goal Describe your goal for this project along with any secondary goals.

Body
• Include background information and define terms.
• Explain the first significant accomplishment, and so on.
• Explain any problems.

Include background information Provide a short history of your project.
Explain accomplishments Provide evidence to support each accomplishment. Explain the process you followed to complete each task, describe the materials you used, or explain how each part of the project fits into the whole.
Explain any problems Only explain problems that have inhibited your progress in some way, and describe your solutions for each one.

Conclusion
• Provide an overall view of the project.
• Confirm or revise the time schedule for completion of the project.

Sum up your progress List your future plans, explain what needs to be done to finish the project, and describe how you plan to tackle the remaining work.
Restate your time frame Remind readers of your deadline and explain any changes to your schedule. You might include a time line for finishing the project.