REPORT WRITING — ISC CLASS 11-12
1. What is a Report?
A report is a factual account of an event, situation, or investigation written for a specific
purpose and audience.
It presents information accurately, briefly, and clearly.
Reports are commonly written for:
School magazines or newspapers
News articles
Official or organizational purposes
2. Features of a Good Report
A good report should be:
1. Factual – Based on real information, no personal opinions.
2. Clear and Concise – Use simple language and short sentences.
3. Well-Structured – Organized in proper sections or paragraphs.
4. Objective – Avoid bias; present all sides fairly.
5. Formal in Tone – No slang or emotional language.
6. Accurate – Names, dates, facts, and figures must be correct.
3. Types of Reports
1. Newspaper Report – For a public audience (formal and informative).
2. Magazine Report – For school/college magazines (slightly personal tone).
3. Official Report – For authorities or organizations (strictly formal).
4. Language and Style
Use past tense (since you’re reporting an event that already happened).
Write in the third person (he, she, they).
Avoid unnecessary adjectives and personal opinions.
Use formal vocabulary:
o “Participated in” instead of “took part in”
o “Inaugurated by” instead of “opened by”
o “Commenced with” instead of “started with”
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
1/6
Format of a Report (ISC Pattern)
1. Headline:
Should be in the centre (middle of the page or line).
Written in capital letters (block letters).
Keep it short and catchy: 4–6 words is ideal.
Don’t underline it.
Example:
FIRE BREAKS OUT IN CITY MARKET
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Byline:
Name of the reporter (e.g., By Medha Sharma, Staff Reporter).
Also centered, but written just below the heading.
In standard format:
o By *Name*, *Designation* (for newspaper reports)
o By *Name*, *Class* (for school magazine reports)
Example (newspaper report):
By Medha Mehta, Staff Reporter
Example (school magazine report):
By Medha Mehta, Class XI-B
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Date and Place:
Written at the beginning of the first paragraph but not on a separate line, and
not centered or right-aligned.
They come on the left side, as part of the opening sentence.
Example:
(i) For a Newspaper Report:
FIRE BREAKS OUT IN CITY MARKET
By Medha Mehta, Staff Reporter
New Delhi, 5th November: A major fire broke out at the Central Market yesterday
evening... (continue with details)
[Explanation:
2/6
“New Delhi” = Place
then “5th November” = Date ,
Followed by a colon (:)
then the report begins in the same line.]
(ii) For a Magazine Report
In school magazine reports, you don’t usually mention the place and date
separately (since it’s already known to the readers).
You simply include date and place naturally within the first sentence.
ANNUAL SPORTS DAY CELEBRATION
By Ananya Roy, Class XI-B
The Annual Sports Day of St. Xavier’s School was held on 3rd November 2025 in the school
playground...
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Common Mistakes (Avoid)
Writing the date and place on the right side or on a separate line:
New Delhi
5th November
(Not acceptable in ISC format)
Forgetting the colon after the date.
Putting them at the end of the report.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Body of the Report – 3–4 paragraphs:
o Paragraph 1: What, When, Where, Who
o Paragraph 2: How it happened (details, causes, etc.)
o Paragraph 3: Reactions of people, authorities, or witnesses
o Paragraph 4: Conclusion / future action
(i)Paragraph 1: Introduction (What, When, Where, Who)
The first paragraph serves as an introduction to the event, covering the essential details
like what the event was, when it took place, where it happened, and who was involved.
Example:
The Annual Sports Day of St. Xavier’s was held on [date] at the school grounds. The event
brought together students from all grades, teachers, and staff for a day of sporting
activities. The chief guest for the occasion was [name], a former alumnus of the school, who
inaugurated the day’s events.
3/6
(ii) Paragraph 2: Details (How it Happened)
The second paragraph should dive into the specifics of the event: how it unfolded, the
various activities, and any special moments.
Example:
The day kicked off with a grand opening ceremony, followed by the much-anticipated track
and field events. Students competed in races, long jump, high jump, and relay events, while
the senior classes engaged in tug-of-war and football. The highlight of the day was the
inter-house relay, where the blue house emerged victorious. The event was meticulously
organized, and the enthusiasm was infectious, with cheering from the audience echoing
through the field.
(iii) Paragraph 3: Reactions (People's and Authorities' Reactions)
This paragraph covers the reactions of various people involved, including students,
teachers, and any authorities present at the event.
Example:
The students, filled with excitement, cheered for their respective houses, and the air was
full of camaraderie and sportsmanship. The chief guest, [name], praised the students for
their enthusiasm and discipline, encouraging them to continue pursuing excellence both in
sports and academics. Teachers and parents, who were present to support the students,
expressed their pride and admiration for the organization and spirit displayed throughout
the day.
(iv) Paragraph 4: Conclusion (Success, Response, and Future Action)
Finally, conclude the report with a summary of the event’s success, how it was received,
and any potential future actions or takeaways.
Example:
The Annual Sports Day was a resounding success, leaving everyone with fond memories
and a sense of accomplishment. The event not only fostered a spirit of healthy competition
but also strengthened the sense of unity among the students and faculty. The sports
committee has already begun planning for next year’s event, aiming to make it even bigger
and better, with more activities and greater participation.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t use first person (I, we).
Don’t include imaginary stories.
Don’t make spelling or factual errors.
Don’t forget to mention time, place, and event details.
Avoid repetition and unnecessary opinions.
4/6
Revision Points
Start with a catchy headline
Use factual and formal tone
Maintain logical order of events
Keep it short (150–200 words)
Proofread for spelling and grammar errors
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sample Report (Newspaper Type)
YOUTH FESTIVAL INAUGURATED
By Karan Gupta, Staff Reporter
Lucknow, 2nd November: The annual Youth Festival of St. Joseph’s College was inaugurated
yesterday by the Honourable Minister of Culture. The event began with a colourful parade
followed by a series of cultural performances.
Students from over twenty schools participated in various competitions such as music,
dance, and drama. The Minister praised the students’ creativity and enthusiasm.
The festival will continue for two more days with events like debate, quiz, and art
exhibition. The principal expressed gratitude to all participants and sponsors for making
the event successful. (Continue)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sample Report (School Magazine Type)
ANNUAL SPORTS DAY CELEBRATION
By Ananya Roy, Class XI-B
The Annual Sports Day of St. Xavier’s School was held on 2nd February 2025 in the school
playground with great enthusiasm and excitement. The event brought together students
from all classes, teachers, and parents. The chief guest for the occasion was Mr. Arjun
Mehta, a renowned athlete and proud alumnus of the school, who inaugurated the
ceremony with an inspiring address.
The day began with a march past by the four houses, followed by the lighting of the torch
and an oath-taking ceremony. Various track and field events such as the 100m race, relay
race, long jump, and shot put were organized. The students participated with full zeal,
and the audience cheered loudly for their houses. The Blue House bagged the
championship trophy, followed closely by the Red House. The highlight of the day was the
friendly teachers-versus-students tug-of-war, which added fun and laughter to the event.
5/6
The chief guest appreciated the participants for their sportsmanship and dedication. The
Principal, Sr. Mary Fernandes, congratulated the winners and encouraged others to take
part actively in future competitions. Parents and teachers were equally delighted to
witness the energy and coordination of the students, which reflected the school’s emphasis
on holistic development.
The event concluded with the prize distribution ceremony and the singing of the national
anthem. The day was a grand success, leaving everyone with a sense of pride and
accomplishment. The Sports Committee announced that preparations for next year’s event
would begin soon, promising even more thrilling performances and wider participation.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Practice Topics
1. Write a report on a tree plantation drive in your school.
2. Report on an inter-school debate competition.
3. Newspaper report on a road accident in your city.
4. Magazine report on the Science Exhibition held in your school.
5. Report on Teachers’ Day Celebration.
*********
6/6