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ICSE Class 10 Comprehension and Composition Revision Notes for Report Writing

Introduction to Report Writing

 

What is a Report?

A report is a piece of writing that contains accounts of things that are seen, heard, known or investigated. Report writing is very similar to article writing, but the latter is more casual that the former. Reports are meant to be published in journals, newspapers and agazines.

The characteristics of a report:

  • Informs the reader about an idea, phenomenon and piece of news or information
  • Describes a situation or a sequence of an event
  • Presents an opinion or an objective analysis
  • Can be formal or informal depending on who the readers are
  • Is more formal than a report
  • Is well researched and the facts are true
  • Can be used for descriptive purposes

 

Format of a Report

 

Example:

 
How to Write a Report
 
  • Before one starts writing, ask four questions. Use your imagination and visualise the prompt.
    • What has happened?/What will happen?
    • When has it happened?/When will it happen?
    • Where has it happened?/Where will it happen?
    • Who are involved?/Who will be involved?
    • How has it happened?/How will it happen?

 

 

  • Think of a catchy headline that may give the reader a brief idea. Do not include too many details in the headline.
  • Use the title case for writing headlines. All the words except prepositions and articles will start with a capital letter.
 
 
  • Write the name of the reporter or the Byline if it is given in the question. If not, then write 'By Staff Reporter‘.
  • If the report is meant for a school magazine and if the name is not given, then write 'By a Student Reporter‘.
  • Write the place and the date below the byline.
  • The placeline should correspond with place where the incident took place.
  • The date should correspond to the day the report was published, not when the event in the report happened.

 

 

  • Structure your article by dividing your points into three parts—introduction, body and conclusion.
    • Introduction:Include the most important details in the introductory lines. Do divulge details in the first line.
    • Answer theWhat?Where?When?Who? Questions.

 

    • Body: The body of the report will expand the details given in the introductory line

 

 

    • The body of the report will also include details like quotes of people and accounts of eyewitnesses.
    • Quotations will create a feeling of being at the scene.

  

 

    • The closing lines will tie up the loose ends and divulge in any extra or related information.
    • It may also present the reader with the current status of the incident.