WRITING A REPORT

A REPORT

ELENA SANTIAGO BAGO

Background knowledge

TRUE OR FALSE?

1. The conclusion should clearly link to the rest of the report with an appropriate linking word of phrase
2. Reports should pinpoint what their purpose is in the very first paragraph
3. The writer is not supposed to include their opinion until the end
4. Dramatic and personal, colorful language is welcomed
5. Phrasal verbs cannot be used in a report

A report is a formal paper, it has to be concise, well-organized, it is recommended to use bullet points and headings so that the reader can quickly find the information they are looking for in your text.

+info

How to write a CAE report?

You'll need to consider...

The recipient of a report can be your (imaginary) boss, professional group, administration, your peers or coworkers. The target of a report is to summarize the info and to create a recommendation. The task you are asked to complete (summarize, give opinion, recommend...) The language used (avoid direct questions, avoid using 'you'; use passive voice

TYPES OF REPORTS

INFORMATIVE

PROPOSAL

ASSESSMENT

They present the pros and cons of a situation, person, place, etc., Your opinion and recommendations are also expected

They present plans, decisions or suggestions concerning possible future courses of action for approval by one's superior at work, members of a commitee, etc.

They present information concerning a meeting, conference, project that has taken place

structure

0. Title1. IntroductionThe purpose of this report is to…. 2. Subheading 1 Give the relevant facts 3. Subheading 2 Give the relevant facts 4. Subheading 3 Give the relevant facts 5. Conclusion Summarizes the information given and may include an opinion and/or suggestion

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

DEVELOPMENT

Introduction (the goal of the report)

• The first observation to make concerns…
• It has to be stressed that…
• According to (the majority of respondents)…
• In spite of (the fact that)…
• Despite (the fact that)…
• The outlook for …… is (far from) bright/optimistic/depressing/daunting
• The future looks bleak/remains uncertain/is promising
• This seems unlikely in the near/foreseeable future

• The objective of this report is to compare ….. and …..
• The purpose of this report is to examine / evaluate / explain / describe / analyse / present / outline…
• This report aims to…
• It is based on a survey conducted among…
• It is the result of a discussion which took place among…

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

RECOMMENDATIONS

CONCLUSION

• I would strongly recommend that…
• The following measures should be implemented:
• In the light of the results of the survey I would advise against…
• Given the results of the survey, I would advise for…
• I feel it would be to our advantage if…
• The best solution would be to…
• In order to improve …… it is necessary to..
• This will have an impact on NOUN

• Provided that these recommendations are taken into consideration,…
• In conclusion,…
• From the research one can conclude that…

EXAMPLE OF TASK (level 2)

____________________________________________

The aim of this report is to examine the reasons why students are reluctant to take part in competitive sports and to make recommendations for ways of encouraging more students to participate.

__________________

Most young people enjoy team sports because they are a social event. They like pla- ying with friends and are less interested in open competition. They are keen on fitness and training in the gym, but some are totally uninterested in sport. It also appears that although many enjoyed activities like swimming, they were put off by the current state of the changing rooms, which they felt were dirty and unattractive.

_____________________________

Students want to socialise, so sports competitions should be run at times when as many as possible can participate and watch. At present they take place on Saturdays, when many students are reluctant to return to college – this should be changed. The changing rooms around the swimming pool must be improved for those who are currently discouraged from using them because of the state they are in. The college could run teams for different year groups and offer a prize annually. This would provide motivation, as everyone likes to be a winner. Most importantly, students lack information and should be made more aware of the importance of sport for health and well-being. I recommend that leaflets should be circulated as part of an overall fitness awareness campaign.

---------------------------------------

If these recommendations are implemented, I feel sure that there will be a marked increase in popularity of competitive sports.

- Conclusion - Sports done in school - Background information - Current situation - Recommendations

-------------------------

- Background information---------------------------------------

------------------------

Sports done in school

------------------------

Current situation & recommendations

Conclusion

EXAMPLE OF TASK (Level 3)

A NATO research group is carrying out an investigation into soldier's basic training in different countries. You have been asked to write a report about this training in the Spanish Armed Forces. Include the following points:

• Describe the basic training Spanish soldiers go through
• Assess its strengths and weaknesses
• Suggest how it should be improved

TIPS

• Include Heading and subheadings

• Include statistics (According to a new NATO report...;

• Use passive voice

• Avoid contracted verb forms

TIPS

• Use 'will' to make predictions

• Include statistics (According to a new NATO report...;

• Use 'may/might' to express future possibility

• Use 'must' to make strong recommendations

• Use 'should' to make recommendations

TIPS

• Use 'should' for recommendations
• A participle clause (having been + past participle)

Background knowledge

TRUE OR FALSE?

1. The conclusion should clearly link to the rest of the report with an appropriate linking word of phrase
2. Reports should pimpoint what their purpose is in the very first paragraph
3. The writer is not supposed to include their opinion until the end
4. Dramatic and personal, colorful language is welcomed
5. Phrasal verbs cannot be used in a report

Background knowledge

TRUE OR FALSE?

1. The conclusion should clearly link to the rest of the report with an appropriate linking word or phrase TRUE
2. Reports should pinpoint what their purpose is in the very first paragraph TRUE
3. The writer is not supposed to include their opinion until the end TRUE (if you are asked to do so)
4. Dramatic and personal, colorful language is welcomed FALSE
5. Phrasal verbs cannot be used in a report FALSE

THANKS!