1. Main Headings and Subheadings:
* These are the titles of the major sections and subsections within the report.
* They are listed in the order they appear in the report.
* Main headings are usually displayed in bold and larger font than subheadings.
2. Page Numbers:
* Each heading and subheading is accompanied by the page number on which it starts in the report.
3. Numbering System:
* A consistent numbering system is used to organize the table of contents.
* This usually involves Roman numerals for main sections (I, II, III, etc.), Arabic numerals for subsections (1, 2, 3, etc.), and sometimes lowercase letters or numbers for further subdivisions.
4. Indentation:
* Headings and subheadings are indented to reflect their hierarchical structure.
* Main headings are usually flush left, while subheadings are indented further.
5. Visual Design:
* The table of contents should be visually appealing and easy to navigate.
* This can involve using different font sizes, bolding, and spacing to differentiate between levels of headings.
6. Optional Components:
* List of Figures/Tables: Some formal reports include separate lists of figures and tables at the end of the table of contents.
* Executive Summary: This is a brief overview of the report's main findings and conclusions, usually placed before the table of contents.
Example:
Table of Contents
I. Introduction.....................................................................................1
A. Background.................................................................................1
B. Purpose..................................................................................2
II. Methodology.................................................................................3
A. Data Collection......................................................................3
B. Data Analysis........................................................................4
III. Results...................................................................................5
A. Key Findings..........................................................................5
B. Discussion.............................................................................6
IV. Conclusion..................................................................................7
V. Recommendations...........................................................................8
References...................................................................................9
List of Figures..............................................................................10
List of Tables..............................................................................11
The table of contents serves as a roadmap for the reader, helping them quickly locate specific information within the report.