How To Write Evaluation Reports Everyone Can Understand

Months of data collection. Weeks of analysis. 2.6 minutes of reading time.
Yes, that’s the average time a reader spends on an evaluation report.

And yet, those minutes are wasted sifting through jargon.
Insights are buried under walls of text.
And by the time readers get to your recommendations—if they even get there—they’re already disengaged.

Your hard work deserves better. Make those 2.6 minutes matter.

Start by Knowing your Audience
➔ What are their interests and needs. Adapt your writing tone and content accordingly. A donor is interested to hear of impact, a community member will like stories.

Use Visuals Strategically
➔ Replace dense paragraphs with charts, infographics, and bullet points for quick insights.

Simplify Language
➔ Avoid jargon; write for a non-technical audience to keep them engaged.

Design for Readability:
➔ Use headings, white space, and formatting to guide readers to what matters most (and to help them find information easily).

Make your report a tool for action—not just another unread document!

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Join me for the IPDET Evaluation Training in a few weeks.
I will share my tips to enhance reports so they are accessible.
You don’t have to be a communications officer or trained in this area.
If you have ever written a document, the workshop is for you.

Source:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/annmurraybrown_how-to-write-evaluation-reports-activity-7325504658804809731-aQ0i/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAtGGkQBsxwMBmX3lEJO8btihnfBCaHqTz4