ENG3U: Writing a Report
What is a report?
A report is a form of writing that provides information. There are different types of reports, and they can be organized in different ways depending on the purpose and audience. However, a report is usually based on researched facts or on accurate details of a situation or event, not just on the writer’s own knowledge.
You might write a report for Health class on the effects of second-hand cigarette smoke, or you may write a report for Science class on the increasing uses of lasers as tools in industry and medicine. You might also write a report detailing the organization, costs, participation, and success of a certain event such as a concert or banquet.
In business situations, or in science or medical journals, reports are organized with a summary (or abstract) at the beginning. The purpose of this summary is to give the person reading the report a sense of the main content. The rest of the report fills in the background information, the process by which the information was obtained, and makes recommendations.
Please follow the Information Report Template as your planning guide.
How do you write a report?
Research your information, finding it in several different sources – e.g., books, magazines, the Internet. For this assignment, you need to use an approved database.
Take notes from your sources of the key details that you need. Be sure to record which information comes from which source so that you can give credit to your sources.
Use an organizer such as a chart, web, or sub-topic boxes to sort and classify your information into different areas for sub-topics.
When writing your introduction, think of who your audience might be. If your report is to be made orally to your classmates, you will want to catch their interest somehow, perhaps by referring to some personal experiences. If your report is for the teacher or for an “expert” on your topic, you should be more formal and to the point, avoiding the use of “I” and being more objective.
Develop each subtopic paragraph with an appropriate topic sentence that shows how the sub-topic links to the topic.
Make sure that your sub-topic paragraphs have a logical order and that they flow smoothly. Use sub-headings to guide your reader through a lengthy report with many sub-topics.
Write a conclusion that summarizes two or three of the main points you wish to make about your topic. Depending on the type of report, write several recommendations.
Give credit to your sources by acknowledging them. List the sources alphabetically by the author’s surname.
Report Writing Style
Your writing style should be objective, informative, formal, focused and factual. This comes from good research and proper paraphrasing and summarizing.
Researching, Paraphrasing and Summarizing
Notes and activities for researching, paraphrasing and summarizing are available in our Google Classroom through the various lessons. For review, watch: How to Paraphrase (Library Research Skills Tutorial)
Information Report Template
Please use this planner to help you visualize and plan your report.
Introduction:
First sub-topic:
Key points from your research:
Transitional sentence:
Second sub-topic:
Key points from your research:
Transitional sentence:
Third sub-topic:
Key points from your research:
Transitional sentence:
Conclusion: Re-state some of your key points
Write an empathetic concluding sentence.
Information Report Sample
Read this sample of a completed planner.
Introduction: Introduce topic and classify it or put it in a category – e.g., “Lasers are an exciting new tool in industry and medicine.”
In two or three sentences, give the reader a “map” of what you plan to do with the topic. Essentially, you are naming your sub-topics; – e.g., “In industry and manufacturing, lasers are revolutionizing both the design process and the production of goods. In medicine, lasers are changing surgical procedures with some remarkable results. The future possible uses for lasers are very exciting.”
First sub-topic: Define your topic and give some general information about it – e.g., say what a laser is, and give some brief history. You may also choose to provide this information in your introduction.
Kay points from your research: Make several key points with information from your research.
Transitional sentence: Write a transitional sentence or question – e.g., “While lasers may be a marvel of physics, they have some very practical applications.”
Second sub-topic: e.g., “Lasers in industry and manufacturing”
Key points from your research: Make key points from your research.
Transitional sentence: Write a transitional sentence.
Third sub-topic: e.g., “Lasers in medicine”
Key points from your research: Make key points from your research.
Transitional sentence: Write a transitional sentence.
Conclusion: Re-state some of your key points – e.g., key use of lasers in manufacturing, or key use in medicine, such as reducing blood loss in surgery.
Write an empathetic concluding sentence. – e.g., “It is likely that many more uses will be found for lasers as we learn the capabilities of this powerful tool.”