Report

Report

A report is written to present facts or findings, often as a basis for further action. There are two types of reports: evaluative reports and leading reports. Evaluative Reports are written to present issues and future solutions. They can set out an existing problem, discuss different solutions and leave the readers to come to their own conclusions. A Leading Report examines a problem or explains a situation and leads the readers to a specific conclusion.

  • Use formal language.
  • Use a style aimed to persuade a specified audience.
  • Adopt language based on your topic and type of report.
  • Make sure your sentences are complete and well structured.
  • Bullet points are acceptable as long as they do not inappropriately replace continuous prose.
  • State if your report is meant to evaluate or compare two issues or examine a problem or explain a situation to lead the readers to a specific conclusion.
  • It must have a heading.
  • Present facts and ideas plainly.
  • Use a proper structure: introduction, sub-headings, concise paragraphs, conclusion / recommendation.
  • If evaluating or comparing two different issues, include some evidence or examples.
  • Encourage readers to be aware of the situation or problem in your last paragraph (conclusion).
  • Audience: This will be set in the instructions. Generally, this will be defined by a question, and you can add details based on the topic.
  • Context: This will be defined by your topic and the type of report.
  • Purpose: To provide an objective, reliable account of some situation or event.
  • Saad AlDin, K. & Morley, K. (2018). English B: Second Edition. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. Page 198.
Other text types
Public Speaking