Report Writing Skills Class 9-10 What, when, how and where?

What is a report?

Definition A report is a brief account of an event that has already taken place. A Report helps in recording events of importance that occurs in our day to day life. A report attempts to present the first hand information of an incident or event. A report of an event presents a record of events that took place. A report on an event includes one’s ideas, opinions and impressions on the event.

Types of a report?

Types

Newspaper Reports What is a Newspaper Report? →A newspaper report must be factual. But the facts are going to be accurate and true. → It must be a concise but interesting to the Readers. → A Newspaper Report is written in ‘Third’ person. → A Newspaper Report takes place in indirect speech. → Sometimes it is written in Passive voice. → The whole Report comes within a box. It must be within 125 -150words. 

Features of a Newspaper Report : → A Newspaper must have a ‘Headline’. → There must be specification of date and place. →There must be the name of the Reporter → The Heading must be aligned in the middle.

Continued… → Do not put fanciful information. Be relevant to the information. → The total report must be based or rational thinking. Coherence and justification. → It must not be partial. It must impart opinions of different sides.

Subtle Analysis of the Format Headline: → Headline is the main key to an Article. → Headline must be attractive, interesting and appealing. → We need to avoid articles, prepositions in the Headline.

By line & Opening paragraph A good article must bear the writer the Readers must know who the writer is → Put the name just under the Headline. Opening paragraph: -  This paragraph gives the total report in a nut shell.→ here state the incident in brief. → Do not forget to give day, date, and time of the incident. → Refer  specific place of the incident with proper land mark. Include the people related to the incident. → Specify the reason of the incident or course of the incident.

2ND & 3RD PARAGRAPH 2ND Paragraph detailing the incident : - Here you need to present precisely the incident. Keep in mind you need to put them in the chronological order. Facts must be given prior importance and no fanciful or superfluous talks.  3RD Paragraph supporting your report. Here you need to put information to support your statement. Put opinions of different people (If possible – quotation) to authenticate your view.

Concluding Paragraph → In this section put you relevant opinions about the incident. → Relate with probable future actions →End with a reflective meaningful end line.

Remember

Points to remember Mention the place, date, time and other relevant facts about the event. Include information collected from people around or affected by the event. Write the name of the reporter. Provide a suitable title/heading. Write in past tense. Write in reported speech and use passive form of expression. Develop ideas (causes, reasons, consequences, opinions) logically. Write in a less formal and more descriptive manner while writing a report for a school magazine. Present your ideas and impressions to make the report interesting.

Remember - PALL