Writing a Report - … based on (my observations/feedback

A report is a nonfiction account that presents from students, etc.).

and/or summarizes the facts about a particular 3. How you collected the information you
event, topic, or issue to a person of authority. have based your report on (e.g.
Reports are a mixture of facts and opinions. observation, feedback from students, from
The format of a report a survey, interviewed classmates,
A report often follows a 3-part structure (in etc.). This is optional, so you may or may
addition to the title), which may span 3-5 not include it.
paragraphs: Here are some examples of effective report
 Title/heading: The title of the report you introductions (the 3 necessary Whs have been
are writing about. It should be brief and underlined):
relevant. For example, “Report: School  Last week, our class spent the day at a
Trip to a Recycling Centre”, “A Visit to science exhibition in the town. This report
a Recycling Centre”, etc. aims to detail what we learned from the
1. First Paragraph: Introduction visit and provide recommendations for
2. Body paragraph(s): Findings (organized improvement if it is repeated next year.
according to the requirements of the report  As requested, I have prepared a report
asked for in the question), for example, about a sports festival my
what you enjoyed about the trip, what you class attended last week. I have
learned, etc. interviewed my classmates, and my
3. Final paragraph: Conclusion and findings are presented below.
Recommendations  As requested by my teacher, I have
Introduction compiled a detailed assessment of
The purpose of the introduction is to provide a the work experience week that my
background and an overview of the report. It class participated in on the 1st of March.
should include: This report aims to outline what was learnt
1. The 7 WHs (of which 3 are absolutely by students and provide suggestions to
necessary): Who (e.g. your enhance the experience next time.
class), What (e.g. a day spent at a science  Last week, our school had the opportunity
exhibition), When (e.g. last week), Where to visit The National Museum of Egyptian
(e.g. in the town), Why (e.g. to learn about Civilization (NMEC). The purpose of this
recycling), (written by) Whom (yourself), report is to provide an account of our visit
to Whom (e.g. your teacher, organizers of and offer suggestions for improvements
the event, etc.). based on my observations and feedback
2. The purpose of the report (what it will from students.
cover): This is mentioned in the question, Remember to keep the introduction brief.
e.g. things that students enjoyed about the Body
trip, suggestions for improvements if it’s The body of the report generally includes your
repeated next year, etc. findings, which are the positive and/or negative
Here are some example phrases to mention the things you and other people have noticed. It
purpose of the report: should be organized according to what is asked
 The report aims to for in the question, for example, what you
highlight/present/investigate … enjoyed about the trip, what you learned, etc. The
 The report contains relevant information choice of subheadings will depend on what you
regarding … mention in the body of the report.
 The (aim/intention/purpose) of this report Here are some guidelines:
is to  Read the question carefully, underline
(present/discuss/outline/detail/highlight) the keywords and draft a plan for your
report in the blank space below the
question using a pencil.
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  You can use the few prompts given in the and/or
question, but it is better to use your own Your opinion about the whole experience or on
ideas if you want to get higher marks. If, the facts that you have discovered.
however, you are out of ideas, use the For example, “In conclusion, I believe that the trip
ideas in the question and make sure to was an overall success, as it provided an
paraphrase them (write them in different invaluable opportunity for students to discover
words) and develop them well. more about the fascinating world of science.”
 Decide how many body paragraphs you Some concluding phrases:
need and what ideas you want to include In conclusion, To conclude, To sum up, On the
in each paragraph; write a suitable whole, All things considered, It can be concluded
subheading for each one. that …, I feel/ I believe/ I am convinced/ I am
 Present each topic in detail under suitable confident that …
subheading and support your ideas and 2. Your recommendations, solutions, or
develop them well with reasons, suggestions + Reason/ your prediction on
evidence, or examples. what will happen if the recommendation is
 Keep to the topic (don’t wander away followed
from the main subject and requirements of For example: “I recommend extending the
the report). Remind yourself constantly by duration of the visit and prohibiting the use of
looking again at the question. mobile phones to maximize the learning
 Use a wide variety of formal linking experience.”
words and cohesive devices to create a Here are some example phrases you could use for
smooth and logical flow in your writing. giving recommendations, solutions or suggestions:
Here are some examples.  I suggest/recommend/propose …
Showing order  I would like to suggest …
First of all, First and foremost, Firstly, In the first  A solution to this issue might be …
place, To begin with, Subsequently, Finally, Note: It’s also possible to write 2 separate
Addition, In addition, Furthermore, Additionally, paragraphs for the conclusion and the
Moreover, Not only … but also…, As well as, recommendations.
And Points to keep in mind
Contrasting Dos:
However, Nevertheless, Even though, Although,  Organize your report into 3-5
Despite/ Despite the fact that, In spite of, While, paragraphs depending on the
On the other hand, On the contrary, By contrast, requirements of the question. Leave a line
In comparison, Alternatively, But between paragraphs or indent the first line
Giving Examples of each new paragraph. Don’t do both!
For example, For instance, One clear example is,  Take care of spelling, punctuation, and
Such as, Namely, To illustrate, In other words grammar. This is important as the
Reasoning examiner will look at the accuracy of your
Results and consequences: as a result, language.
consequently, therefore, thus, hence, for this  Use a combination of simple, compound,
reason, as a result (of), which means that, etc. and complex sentences, with more focus
Reasons and causes: owing to, because (of), on on complex structures.
account of, due to, since, as, etc.  Use a wide range of formal vocabulary,
Highlighting and Stressing including some advanced and less
Particularly, In particular , Specifically, commonly used ones.
Especially, Obviously, Clearly  Include a range of topic-related
Conclusion and Recommendations vocabulary to show that you have a good
The conclusion should include: understanding of the topic, for example, if
1. A brief summary of the main points raised a question asks for a report about a sports
in your report (expressed in different words) festival that your class attended, sports-
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 related vocabulary could be included, such  Avoid using informal vocabulary,
as “fitness”, “warm up before exercising”, informal linking words (e.g. “besides”,
“gym”, “membership fees”, “tournament”, “anyway”, etc.) and idioms.
etc.  Avoid directly addressing the reader
 Use a wide range of formal linking (using “you”).
words. Examples have been mentioned  Avoid listing (firstly, secondly, thirdly,
earlier. etc.). There is no problem in writing
 Use advanced punctuation sparingly (1- “firstly” but avoid writing “secondly” and
3 in the whole report), for example, colon “thirdly”.
(:) and semicolon (;).  Avoid repetition of vocabulary and
 Aim to complete towards the maximum beginning your sentences with the same
word Exceeding the word limit slightly words. Sometimes, students write 3 or
(15-20 words) is fine as long as you write more sentences in a row starting with
accurately and complete the task within the “The”!
correct time. If you exceed the word limit
by any number of words, be it even 100,
no marks will be cut directly, but you
increase your chances of making more
mistakes and spending more time than
required for this exercise, which may
affect your mark indirectly. If you write
towards the lower limit or below, you are
highly unlikely to achieve the highest band
for Content as your content is not well
developed.
 Spend about 30 minutes on this exercise:
the initial 5 minutes for planning and the
last 2-3 minutes for checking your work
for simple spelling, punctuation, and
grammatical mistakes.
 Use passive voice to increase the formality
of your report, for example, “No food had
been provided.”, “We were given plenty of
information.”, “The seats were damaged.”,
etc. But don’t write entirely in passive
voice; just try to include some passive
sentences.
 Use reported speech rather than direct
speech to increase the formality of your
report, for example, “Most students said
that they would have liked to take part in
more activities”.
 Write legibly
Don’ts:
 Avoid contractions (isn’t, aren’t, etc.).
 Avoid abbreviations and slang (texting
language) such as, OMG, BTW, gonna,
etc.