Choose a topic for your report. A good tip to make sure your topic is not too broad is to write one sentence to sum up the ideas you want in your report.
Create a list of points you want to include in your paper. Write each point on a single index card.
Read the points that you wrote on the index cards. Rearrange them in the order that you would like them to appear on your report.
Open up your word processor and create a new document.
The first section will be titled "INTRODUCTION." Write this in all caps and bold font. This is where you will include your thesis and brief explanation of the topic.
Press the enter key on the keyboard twice and write in bold and all caps: "BODY." In this section you will present your arguments or information and provide sources to back them up.
Press the enter key on the keyboard twice and write in bold and all caps: "CONCLUSION." In this section you will wrap up your report by restating your thesis, summarizing the paper, and presenting your conclusion.
Underneath each of the sections you will need to create headings to expand on the topic. You can think of these headings yourself in order for them to express the chosen topic, or you can choose to copy commonly used headings for your report. NASA uses the following headings often in their reports: summary, symbols, theory, analysis, apparatus, test specimens, test procedures, results, discussions, appendix, and references. Indent and type the heading titles of your choice underneath the sections and use roman numerals to order them.
Re-read the points written on the index cards in the chronological order you decided on. Create categories to go underneath the headings based on the points on the index cards. Indent and type each category underneath the heading title and use letters to order them. For example, underneath the section "BODY," and underneath the heading " I. Theory," you may place the category "A. Relativity."
Expand on each point that you turned into a category. These are called subcategories. The subcategories should briefly reference how you will explain or support each point.
Look over your entire outline and make sure it flows properly and makes sense.
As you write your report, frequently look at your outline and make changes as needed.