How many minutes should you allocate to Planning your Report?

• A. 15 minutes
• B. 20 minutes
• C. 30 minutes
• D. 10 minutes

Answer: (B)

Planning your report is about setting up a clear path before you start writing. Allocating about twenty minutes for this phase gives you enough time to clarify the purpose and audience, define the scope, and lay out a solid structure. With this planning window, you can outline the report’s sections, list the key points and evidence for each part, and decide the order in which you’ll present ideas. You also can estimate how much time to devote to each section, so you don’t run short or stretch too thin later.

If you skip planning or short-change it, you risk disorganization, missing important elements, or getting stuck while drafting. On the other hand, spending too long planning can take away from actual writing and revising time. Twenty minutes hits a balance, helping ensure you cover the essentials—purpose, structure, and evidence—while leaving enough time to draft cleanly and review. Use this window to produce a concise outline and a quick per-section plan, then move straight into drafting with a clear roadmap.