Writing Reports

PRESENTATION

Reports: The basics

A first look at report writing for upper intermediate English

Definition: Report

Oxford Dictionary

noun- an account given of a particular matter, especially in the form of an official document, after thorough investigation or consideration by an appointed person or body.

Basic Characteristics

Reports are written in a structured and easy-to-follow format

Reports are divided into sections with headings and subheadings

Reports can be academic, technical or business-oriented, and the type determines the language used.

Preparation and Planning are important

You can use lists when appropriate to make your report easier to understand

Different Types of Reports

The basic format and the characterisitics of any type of report remain the same. However, there exists three main types: Technical, Business and Academic reports. Depending on the type you are writing, you will find some differences betweeen them.

Academic

Business

Technical

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General Guidelines

• Use one type of font: Times New Roman preferred, but also remember to use justified text and 1.5 spacing

• Headings should be obvious. Determine your headings and subheadings in the planning stage.

• Keep your writing simple. Sentences should be short, and to the point.

• Use active voice as much as possible, reserve passive voice for avoiding first or second person.

• Proofread for grammar. Reports need to be precise.

• Prepare and plan: Who is your reader? What is the purpose of your report? Why is the report needed? What information should be included?

FCE and reports

Reports are part of part 2 of the FCE exam. You are given a prompt, usually for a familiar context, and you are tasked with giving facts and recommendations.

Main Headings

Body

Recommendations

Introduction

You can end your report with headings such as Discussion, Conclusion and/or Recommendations, though in FCE you will most likely be asked to include Recommendations.

You will NOT have a heading titled "Body" but rather you will organize your information into 2-3 headings and these will contain all the important information of your investigation.

You always start with the purpose of your report, and this is stated in the introduction. Your report will always begin with this heading. You can also mention where the information came from within the introduction.

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Sample Task

A group of Canadian students is coming to your university. Your English teacher has asked you to write a report on one local tourist attraction. In your report you should: -describe the attraction -say what you can do there -explain why you think students would enjoy visiting it

A group of Canadian students is coming to your university. Your English teacher has asked you to write a report on one local tourist attraction. In your report you should: --describe the attraction -say what you can do there -explain why you think students would enjoy visiting it

Step 1

Planning

Task

Report

Activities

Conclusion

Introduction

Body

Description

Why it is perfect

Why students would enjoy it

What you can do

Name of attraction

A group of Canadian students is coming to your university. Your English teacher has asked you to write a report on one local tourist attraction. In your report you should: --describe the attraction -say what you can do there -explain why you think students would enjoy visiting it

Step 2

Where is your information coming from?

Who is your report for?

A group of Canadian students is coming to your university. Your English teacher has asked you to write a report on one local tourist attraction. In your report you should: --describe the attraction -say what you can do there -explain why you think students would enjoy visiting it

Step 3

Writing Task

While the instructions indicated one topic, I decided to give you the choice between three. This way, not everyone is writing the same report. Click on the numbers below to review the prompt. Select one. Start your planning and complete your report.

Thanks!