REPORT WRITING

WHAT IS A REPORT?

A report is a written account of something that one has observed, heard, done, or investigated. It is a systematic and well organised presentation of facts and findings of an event that has already taken place somewhere. Reports are used as a form of written assessment to find out what you have learned from your reading, research or experience and to give you experience of an important skill that is widely used in the work place.

Generally, two types of reports are asked in the exam, namely, newspaper report or a magazine report. Newspaper report is the one which is published in a newspaper and magazine report is generally written for a school magazine.  

A well written report will must possess the following traits: (condition)

Adherence to the specifications of report brief;

Analysis of relevant information;

Structuring material in a logical and coherent order;

Presentation in a consistent manner according to the instructions of the report brief;

Making appropriate conclusions that are supported by the evidence and analysis of the report;

Now, it is very important to follow a proper format. Not to forget that format carries marks.
FORMAT OF A NEWSPAPER REPORT I

Headline- A descriptive title which is expressive of the contents of the report.

By line- Name of the person writing the report along with the designation. It is generally given in the question. Remember, you are not supposed to mention your personal details in your answer.

Place and date of reporting- It is generally not mentioned in a magazine report separately, but here, it is. 

Opening paragraph- It includes expansion of the headline.  It needs to be short as it is a general overview of the report. 

Account of the event in detail– It is generally written in two parts: First, complete account of what happened in it’s chronological sequence (preferably) and second, the witness remarks.

Concluding paragraph- This will include the action that has been taken so far or that will be taken. It is the last paragraph.

NEWS REPORT  II

The key elements of a News Report are:

1. Headline

Catches your attention

Sums up the story

2. Byline

Writer’s name

Writer’s Specialty, e.g. sports, food, crime, current events

3. Placeline

Where the story begins

4. Body

Supplies detail

Most important details come first ¾ Simple true statements

5. Quotation

What someone actually said

Adds accuracy

Adds “at the scene” feeling

6. Lead

The opening section

Gives most important information

Should answer most of the 5W's

7. Body

Supplies detail

Most important details come first

Simple true statements

8. Quotation

What someone actually said

Adds accuracy

Adds “at the scene” feeling

NEWS REPORT – AN EXAMPLE II

Car thief caught trapped in target vehicle (Headline)

Jim Day, Staff Reporter (Byline name of author)

Wed Feb 25, 2009

CANBERRA (Placeline) - A bungling Australian car thief was nabbed after accidentally locking himself in the vehicle he was trying to steal, police said Wednesday.(Lead – catches reader interest, – most important info – introduces topic – answers most of the 5W’s)

 

Police were called to a house in Adelaide after two thieves were heard trying to steal a car. On arrival they were surprised to find a 53-year old man hiding inside the vehicle. (Body)

 

"The man, while breaking into the car, had locked himself in the car and couldn't get out," South Australian police said, adding a second thief was found hiding in nearby bushes. (Quotation and Body)