REPORT
What is it?
Reports are also known as 'Information Reports' because they are used to organize and
present factual information.
Reports are used to describe a class or a group of things. They usually cover areas
such as science, geography and technology.
The group of things may be natural such as plants, countries, animals or volcanoes.
The group of things may be natural such as plants, countries, animals or volcanoes.
The group of things may be
constructed such as mobile phones, transport systems or power stations.
Report structure
1
Opening Statement
A general opening statement to define or classify the topic.
Which of the sentences below would be the best opening statement for a report?
A general opening statement to define or classify the topic.
Which of the sentences below would be the best opening statement for a report?
Last week I went away with my parents and we visited the power station at Lake
Munmorah.
✖
Bananas are a popular tropical fruit.
✔
My dog Rover is the best pet in the world.
✖
Have you ever wondered how a cow produces milk?
✖
2
Series of Paragraphs
A series of paragraphs to describe different features of the topic.
Sometimes these paragraphs are organized by using subheadings. Each paragraph needs to have a topic sentence.
Then the paragraph includes facts and details about the topic.
Read through the following paragraphs and underline the topic sentences.
A series of paragraphs to describe different features of the topic.
Sometimes these paragraphs are organized by using subheadings. Each paragraph needs to have a topic sentence.
Then the paragraph includes facts and details about the topic.
Read through the following paragraphs and underline the topic sentences.
A train is a line of railroad cars. The engine pulls the cars along metal
tracks. Trains can travel in all kinds of weather. They are used around the
world.
Lions and tigers are big, wild cats. They are different but they are both cats.
Lions live in groups. But tigers mostly live alone.
Fires happen almost anywhere. Houses, factories, cars and trucks can all catch
fire. In big emergencies, many fire crews are needed to fight the blaze.
Report structure
3
Conclusion
Conclusion
Information reports don't often have a big conclusion.
Sometimes they don't have a conclusion at all.
Usually there is just a small ending statement on the topic.
But information reports do have visual features such as pictures, photographs, diagrams or charts!
Sometimes they don't have a conclusion at all.
Usually there is just a small ending statement on the topic.
But information reports do have visual features such as pictures, photographs, diagrams or charts!
Example text: Report
Caving takes us deep within the earth. Down here in the dark, it is a very different world to the one we know. Flickering torches guide the way, and dripping water is the only sound.
Caving involves a lot of crawling, squeezing, sliding and stooping, often in mud and water. It is not for people who are claustrophobic or those who want to keep their clothes clean.
But caving gives you the most amazing sights: gigantic chambers and deep black holes, underground lakes and rivers, and beautiful stalagmites and hanging stalactites. Perhaps best of all, it makes you feel that you are in a place where no-one else has been before.
Owls
Caving takes us deep within the earth. Down here in the dark, it is a very different world to the one we know. Flickering torches guide the way, and dripping water is the only sound.
Caving involves a lot of crawling, squeezing, sliding and stooping, often in mud and water. It is not for people who are claustrophobic or those who want to keep their clothes clean.
But caving gives you the most amazing sights: gigantic chambers and deep black holes, underground lakes and rivers, and beautiful stalagmites and hanging stalactites. Perhaps best of all, it makes you feel that you are in a place where no-one else has been before.
Can you use the information in the text to label the diagram above to help readers
understand the information report?
understand the information report?
Report: Structure
features
Owls are a nocturnal bird and they are best known for their large eyes.
Some people think that owls look like they are wearing reading glasses. This can make them seem wise. But owls don't use their large eyes for reading.
Because owls are nocturnal, they depend on camouflage to hide them while they sleep during the day. The colour of their feathers, as well as the way owls stand, helps them to blend into their surroundings.
So, if you need information about hunting – ask an owl. But for anything else, you had better head to the library and do your own research!
Owls
Owls are a nocturnal bird and they are best known for their large eyes.
Some people think that owls look like they are wearing reading glasses. This can make them seem wise. But owls don't use their large eyes for reading.
Because owls are nocturnal, they depend on camouflage to hide them while they sleep during the day. The colour of their feathers, as well as the way owls stand, helps them to blend into their surroundings.
So, if you need information about hunting – ask an owl. But for anything else, you had better head to the library and do your own research!
Glossary:
Camouflage – the way an animal blends into its surroundings
Nocturnal – an animal that is active at night and sleeps in the day.
Prey – animals that are caught and eaten by other animal
Camouflage – the way an animal blends into its surroundings
Nocturnal – an animal that is active at night and sleeps in the day.
Prey – animals that are caught and eaten by other animal
General opening
Paragraphs to describe different features of the topic
Concluding statement
Visual elements
Glossary to define important words
Paragraphs to describe different features of the topic
Concluding statement
Visual elements
Glossary to define important words
Report: Language
features
Owls
Owls are a nocturnal bird and they are best known for their large eyes.
Some people think that owls look like they are wearing reading glasses. This can make them seem wise. But owls don't use their large eyes for reading.
Owls hunt by night for small prey such as mice, frogs and lizards. Owls grab their prey with their sharp claws called talons. They have well-developed night vision and use their large eyes for hunting prey in the dark. Owls also have keen hearing and can hunt by hearing alone if they need to.
Because owls are nocturnal, they depend on camouflage to hide them while they sleep during the day. The colour of their feathers, as well as the way owls stand, helps them to blend into their surroundings.
So, if you need information about hunting – ask an owl. But for anything else, you had better head to the library and do your own research!
Owls are a nocturnal bird and they are best known for their large eyes.
Some people think that owls look like they are wearing reading glasses. This can make them seem wise. But owls don't use their large eyes for reading.
Owls hunt by night for small prey such as mice, frogs and lizards. Owls grab their prey with their sharp claws called talons. They have well-developed night vision and use their large eyes for hunting prey in the dark. Owls also have keen hearing and can hunt by hearing alone if they need to.
Because owls are nocturnal, they depend on camouflage to hide them while they sleep during the day. The colour of their feathers, as well as the way owls stand, helps them to blend into their surroundings.
So, if you need information about hunting – ask an owl. But for anything else, you had better head to the library and do your own research!
Glossary:
Camouflage – the way an animal blends into its surroundings
Nocturnal – an animal that is active at night and sleeps in the day.
Prey – animals that are caught and eaten by other animal
Camouflage – the way an animal blends into its surroundings
Nocturnal – an animal that is active at night and sleeps in the day.
Prey – animals that are caught and eaten by other animal
General
nouns
Persent
tense
Relating verbs
Third
person
Noun
groups
Relating verbs
Precise
technical words
Connectives
Topic
word
Action
verbs
Stalactites hang from the roof of the cave.
Stalagmites rise up from the floor of the cave.
Graphic organiser: Report
Concept maps are very useful when planning a report. They help you gather and organise your
information.
Below is an example of a concept map on the topic of Planes.
Below is an example of a concept map on the topic of Planes.
Graphic organiser: Report
Use the concept map below to help you plan and organise your information for your own
report.
Scaffold: Report
Topic/heading:
General opening statement:
Feature 1 topic sentence:
Feature 1 details:
Feature 1 details:
Feature 2 topic sentence:
Feature 2 details:
Feature 2 details:
Feature 3 topic sentence:
Feature 3 details:
Feature 3 details:
Concluding statement about the topic:
List of resources used to locate information / List of visual features or images to be used:
Revision checklist: Report
| Criteria | Always | Some | Rarely | Ideas for revision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Title – does it clearly identify the topic? | ||||
| 2. Introduction – is it a general statement about the topic? | ||||
| 3. Have I organized my writing with subheadings and/or paragraphs? | ||||
| 4. Does each paragraph have a main idea or a topic sentence? | ||||
| 5. Does each paragraph give details to support the main idea? | ||||
| 6. Do I use technical words appropriately? | ||||
| 7. Have I used noun groups to help my description? | ||||
| 8. Have I used interesting verbs and adverbs? | ||||
| 9. Have I used present tense? | ||||
| 10. Is my ending effective? | ||||
| 11. Does my writing inform the reader? | ||||
| 12. Have I referenced my work? | ||||
| 13. Have I included a glossary? | ||||
| 14. Have I used pictures or diagrams? |
