Report Writing: Table of Contents
Report Structure
As detailed in the Report Writing Guide, depending upon requirements, the report may include the following sections in the following order:
- Title page – placed on a separate page – may not be required
- Abstract – placed on a separate page – may not be required
- Table of Contents – placed on a separate page – may not be required
- Introduction
- Body
- Conclusion and Recommendations
- Reference List – placed on a separate page
- Appendix or Appendices – placed on separate pages – may not be required.
This page focuses on the Table of Contents (TOC).
TOC Layout
A TOC if required, which it usually is not at NTI, is placed on a new page before the introduction. It is not numbered.
TOC Content
A TOC usually lists the headings and subheadings of the report together with their page number. If you have applied styles and multilevel list numbering in your headings and subheadings, and inserted page numbers, then Microsoft Word can automatically generate a TOC, which may be easier than creating one manually.
Ensure that as a final step, the TOC is updated so that it correctly reflects the final version of the report.
Refer to this Guide for using Microsoft Word when creating a TOC.