Summary of "Workshop Penulisan Laporan yang Efektif"

Summary of “Workshop Penulisan Laporan yang Efektif”

This workshop, led by Mr. Ivan Lanin, focused on how to write effective, clear, and persuasive reports, especially in bureaucratic and official contexts. The session emphasized simplifying complex bureaucratic language, structuring reports logically, and tailoring language to the audience to avoid ambiguity and potential legal issues.

Main Ideas and Concepts

Bureaucratic Language Detoxification Complex bureaucratic sentences often cause confusion, multiple interpretations, and legal risks. The workshop advocates transforming such sentences into clear, effective, and straightforward language.
Background of the Speaker Mr. Ivan Lanin holds a Bachelor of Engineering and a Master of Information Technology, with 13 years as a Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) consultant. He founded Naralanguage in 2020 to promote effective language use.
Language Contexts and Styles Language varies by context and purpose, from literary and creative language to journalistic, business, scientific, legal, and religious language. Each has different flexibility and rules.
Key Elements of Effective Writing Writing should start with organizing thoughts (discourse), followed by structuring paragraphs, composing clear sentences, choosing precise words, and finally applying correct spelling and punctuation.
Discourse and Audience Awareness Understanding the message, the audience, and the appropriate style is crucial. Reports should be clear, coherent, complete, harmonious, and tailored to the reader’s knowledge level (e.g., laypersons vs. technical experts).
Report Structure Effective reports generally follow a structure:
- Data/Observation: Collecting material through reading, observing, and conversations.
- Findings: Presenting clear, concise main points.
- Analysis: Explaining causes and reasons behind findings.
- Recommendations: Providing actionable, strategic advice.
Paragraph and Sentence Construction
- Paragraphs should focus on one main idea, placed either at the beginning (deductive) or end (inductive).
- Use connectors and references to ensure coherence and cohesion.
- Sentences should be clear, precise, economical, and parallel. Avoid overly long sentences that confuse readers.
- Break complex cause-and-effect relationships into simpler sentences.
Word Choice and Precision
- Avoid vague words like “related” by using more specific prepositions or conjunctions.
- Use dictionaries like KBBI (Big Indonesian Dictionary), thesauruses, and official spelling guidelines (EYD) to choose accurate and context-appropriate words.
- Simplify verbs by using direct forms (e.g., “conducting a study” → “examining”).
Spelling and Punctuation
- Follow EYD guidelines on capitalization, italics, commas, semicolons, and other punctuation marks.
- Use semicolons primarily in lists where items start with verbs (verbal phrases).
- Provide narrative explanations for tables and images, typically above or below them.
Use of Conjunctions and Sentence Beginnings
- It is permissible to start sentences with conjunctions like “although,” “while,” and “so” as long as they form subordinate clauses.
- Avoid starting sentences with equal conjunctions (e.g., “and,” “or”) and interjections.
Active vs. Passive Voice
- Active voice is preferred in journalistic writing for clarity.
- Passive voice is acceptable in business and scientific writing, where the actor (writer) is understood.
Handling Foreign Terms and Loanwords
- No strict rules exist; usage depends on audience familiarity and writer’s preference.
- Combining Indonesian terms with English in parentheses can help readers understand.
Citing Legal Provisions and Numbers
- Use direct quotations with quotation marks for citing laws; block quotations for longer texts.
- Numbers one word long are written in letters; longer numbers use numerals.
- Numbers in legal documents often combine numerals and letters but are not mandatory in reports.
Challenges in Modern Reading and Writing Culture
- Attention spans have decreased due to technology and social media.
- Reading habits are declining, especially among younger generations.
- Encouragement to read regularly and write daily to maintain cognitive and language skills.

Methodology / Instructions for Effective Report Writing

Define the Purpose and Audience
- Clarify the message you want to convey.
- Identify who will read the report and their level of technical knowledge.
- Choose an appropriate writing style accordingly.
Collect Materials
- Use three main sources: observation, conversation, and reading.
- Cycle through these methods to gather comprehensive information.
Organize Discourse (Overall Structure)
- Ensure the report has a clear opening, body, and closing.
- Structure the discourse to be coherent, complete, harmonious, and consistent.
Develop Paragraphs
- Each paragraph should focus on one main idea.
- Use deductive (main idea first) or inductive (main idea last) structures.
- Use connectors and references to maintain cohesion and coherence.
Compose Clear Sentences
- Identify subject and predicate clearly.
- Avoid overly long or complex sentences; break down cause-effect chains.
- Use active voice when appropriate, passive voice when necessary.
Choose Precise Words
- Avoid vague terms like “related” by selecting specific prepositions or conjunctions.
- Use dictionaries and thesauruses to find accurate and varied vocabulary.
- Simplify verb phrases where possible.
Apply Correct Spelling and Punctuation
- Follow EYD guidelines for capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.
- Use commas and semicolons correctly, especially in lists.
- Provide narrative explanations for tables and images.
Review and Edit
- Write freely in the first draft; focus on creativity.
- Re-read and edit for clarity, structure, word choice, and correctness.
- Consider the reader’s perspective to ensure ease of understanding.
Use Examples and Outlines
- Start with short sentences or an outline to organize thoughts.
- Develop paragraphs and sentences from this framework.
Maintain Reading and Writing Habits - Encourage daily writing and regular reading to improve skills. - Promote literacy especially among younger generations.

Key Takeaways

Simplify bureaucratic language to avoid ambiguity and legal risks.
Tailor writing style and content to the audience’s level of understanding.
Structure reports logically: data → findings → analysis → recommendations.
Organize paragraphs and sentences for coherence and clarity.
Choose words carefully for precision and economy.
Follow official spelling and punctuation rules but prioritize reader comprehension.
Practice writing and reading regularly to maintain and improve language skills.

Speakers / Sources Featured

Mr. Ivan Lanin – Main resource person, Director of Naralanguage, with a background in engineering, IT, and GRC consulting.
Mr. Setio Nugroho – Deputy for Regional Financial Management Supervision, provided opening remarks.
Ms. Adlia – Moderator/MC for the workshop.
Mrs. Wina – Provided confidential report examples for analysis.
Various Participants – Asked questions during Q&A, including Ms. Ika, Mr. Triji, Mr. Rasonno, Ms. Venesia, Mr. Agus Setiawan, Mr. Eko, Mr. Fandi, Ms. Winda, and others.
Mr. Antonius Alioyo – Mentioned as Mr. Ivan’s former teacher and GRC expert (not present).

This comprehensive workshop provided practical guidance and theoretical insights to improve report writing skills, emphasizing clarity, effectiveness, and audience awareness in official and bureaucratic contexts.