Writing a report

What is a report?

A REPORT is usually written for a superior (e.g. a teacher) or a peer group (e.g. members of an English club). Candidates are expected to give some factual information and make suggestions or recommendations. A report should be clearly organised and may include headings.

Hints

• Begin by stating the purpose of your report.
• You may invent where you got the information.
• Use a clear layout with:
  • Headings. They will make it clear that your report is not an essay or review.
  • Lists of numbered points or bullets where appropriate. (DON'T overdo it, though. If you use them in more than one section, you won't be able to show the full range of structures and vocabulary you know.)
• Divide your report into sections according to the input.
• Develop the ideas in the task input. Focus on a maximum of two points.
• Give a clear summary of the situation and make a comment/suggestion only in the last paragraph.
• Use an impersonal, semi-formal style.

Useful language for a report

Stating the purpose of the report (paragraph 1)

• The main aim/objective/purpose of this report is to ...

Describing how you got the information (paragraph 1)

• To prepare for this report, I conducted interviews with... / I visited three of the most popular... / I discussed the issue with...

Reporting your results (paragraphs 2, 3, ...)

• According to ...
• All those who were interviewed believe that/are concerned that... / It is thought that... / It was commented upon by a number of people we talked to that...
• A cause of dissatisfaction was...

Presenting a list

• The arguments against ... are the following:
  1. 1 ...
  2. 2 ...
• The following were the main reasons given for supporting ...: firstly, ..., secondly, ...
• Points mentioned in favour of/against ... were:
  1. 1 ...
  2. 2 ...
• There are several ways in which ... might be ... :
  1. 1 ...
  2. 2 ...

Making recommendations (Last paragraph)

• Taking all the factors mentioned into account...
• I would therefore recommend ....
• Clearly, more could be done to .... I would make the following recommendations:
  • 1 ...
  • 2 ...
  • 3 ...