Report Writing

Report Writing - A report is a written account of something that one has observed,
heard, done, or investigated. It is a systematic and well-organized presentation of facts
and findings of an event that has already taken place somewhere.
Reports are used as a form of written assessment to find out what you have learned from
your reading, research, or experience and to give you the experience of an important
skill that is widely used in the workplace.
Generally, two types of reports are asked in the namely-
 newspaper report or a magazine report.

♦ Points to Remember:

 Mention the place, date, time and other relevant facts about the event.
 Include information collected from the 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.

♦ Marks will be awarded for:

1. Title
2. Reporter’s name
3. Content
4. Expression: Accuracy + Fluency

Report Writing Format

(Heading and Reporter’s name) 01 mark
Content 02 marks
Expression 02 marks:-

i. Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words, and 1

spellings. 1
ii. Coherence and relevance of ideas and style.
Total 5 marks
 Format of a Magazine Report
i. Heading- A descriptive title that is expressive of the contents of the report.
ii. By line- Name of the person writing the report. It is generally given in the
question. Remember, you are not supposed to mention your personal details in
your answer.
iii. The opening paragraph (introduction) – It may include the '5 Ws' namely,
WHAT, WHY, WHEN, and WHERE along with WHO was invited as the chief
guest.
iv. The account of the event in detail- The proper sequence of events that occurred
along with their description. It is the main paragraph and can be split into two
short paragraphs if required.
v. Conclusion- This will include a description of how the event ended. It may
include quote excerpts from the Chief Guest's speech or how did the event wind
up.
Format of a newspaper report
i. Headline- A descriptive title that is expressive of the contents of the report.
ii. By line- Name of the person writing the report along with the designation. It is
generally given in the question. Remember, you are not supposed to mention your
personal details in your answer.
iii. Place and date of reporting- It is generally not mentioned in a magazine report
separately, but here, it is.
iv. Opening paragraph- It includes the expansion of the headline. It needs to be
short as it is a general overview of the report.
v. The account of the event in detail- It is generally written in two parts: First,
complete account of what happened in its chronological sequence (preferably) and
second, the witness remarks.
vi. Concluding paragraph- This will include the action that has been taken so far or
that will be taken. It is the last paragraph.

Report Writing Format - Magazine and Newspaper Report

MAGAZINE REPORT NEWSPAPER REPORT

Heading Headline
By line By line (along with the designation)
Opening paragraph Date and place
Account of the event Opening paragraph

Conclusion Account of the event and witness remarks

Conclusion
Tips to attempt a question on report writing
Albert Einstein once said,

"If you can't explain it simply, you didn't understand it well enough."

i. Make sure you use language which is suitable for the audience you are
addressing. The usage of complex vocabulary for addressing children is not
advisable.
ii. Make sure you write in paragraphs.
iii. Read the question at least twice and highlight the important information. It
is very important to understand the question and read between the lines.
iv. Plan before you pen. Just make a list of all your important points on the
rough sheet (last sheet of your answer booklet) so that you do not forget
relevant points while writing. This also helps you in maintaining a
sequence, which is very important.
v. The presentation is very important.
vi. Make sure you double-check for grammatical accuracy and spellings. They
carry marks.
vii. Leave an adequate number of lines between paragraphs to make it look
clean.
viii. Underlining the main points is very important. But it is advised to do it after
finishing your exam. Use a pencil and scale for underlining.
ix. Make small sentences. It restricts the scope of grammatical inaccuracies.
x. Practice previous year question papers.
xi. Read as many samples as you can. It will give you an idea as to how they
are actually written.

Suggested value points: A Report should answer the questions:

1. What - name of event and occasion

2. Where
3. When -date and time Activities held
4. A comment on the quality of the activities organized
 SAMPLE
Q1. MMD School, Nashik, recently organized a science symposium on the topic:
'Effect of pollution on quality of life'. You are Amit/Amita Raazdan, editor of the
school magazine. Write a report on the event for your school magazine. (120 – 150
words)
(SOURCE- CBSE 2018)
Answer:
Report on Science Symposium held at MMD School, Nashik
-By Amit/ Amita Raazdan, Editor of the school magazine
A symposium was organized on 1 March 2018 in the school on the topic "Effect of
Pollution on Quality of Life". All the science students were a part of the elucidative
program.
The event started with the felicitation of the guest speakers. Thereafter, the participants
were espoused by Sh. Suraj Prakash. He acquainted them with the objectives and goals
of the workshop. The resource person Dr. Hari Om Gupta reflected his profound
knowledge on the topic and highlighted how important it is to curb the menace of
pollution.
An exalting demonstration of the effects of pollution on our lives galvanized the
engrossed participants. After the lunch break Dr. K.K. Arora, Resource Person,
exhibited the possible steps that can be undertaken at the personal level to reduce
pollution. It was followed by another session on the basic concept behind pollution
reduction which triggered the young minds into thinking innovative ways.
An interactive concourse ignited the inquisitiveness of participants. They have
committed themselves completely to bring about a change in the situation. The
informative workshop culminated with a vote of thanks proposed by the head of the
science department.
Q2. You are Karan/ Kirti of L.M. Memorial Public School, Dwarka. Your school
has adopted a village as a social responsibility. Students are being taken to teach
the children of that village on a regular basis. Write a report, for your school
magazine, on the various other programs organized there in 150-200 words.
(SOURCE- CBSE Sample Question Paper 2018-19)
Answer:
VILLAGE ADOPTION- A STEP TOWARDS BEING SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE
-BY KARAN/ KRITI
On the occasion of World Literacy Day, L.M. Memorial Public School, Dwarka has
taken an oath to embrace the village named Rajpur.
The school has taken the responsibility of educating the people residing in the village.
Selected students from each standard are taken there every weekend, during school
hours to impart knowledge.
The first 6-month motive is to make each and every person capable of reading and
writing. Free books and stationery is being provided for quality education. Children are
given time to spend with each other, play games, and interact.
Apart from educational needs, special care is devoted to hygiene and sanitation. Girls
are being given awareness of the importance of menstrual hygiene as well. Various
talent hunts have been organized which left everyone overawed. The immense
enthusiasm and zeal in the people to learn is the main driving factor.
A family kind of environment is being created. The school treats the people of the
village as its own students and is unbiased. By adopting a village, the school is making
its students sensitive towards the needs of the environment at a young age. It is
committed to raising the leaders of tomorrow.

Home Assignment
Question 1.
You are Sweety/Suresh of L.M. Jain School, Ajmer. As Secretary of your School Co-
curricular Activities Club, you visited a slum area in your city where the people suffered
a great loss of life and property in a massive fire. The students of your school rendered
their services and material help to the victims. Write a report in 100-125 words for your
school magazine. (Delhi 2010)

Question 2.
Your state government has banned the use of plastic bags. Your are Amarjeet, a reporter
of The National Herald. Write a report in 100-125 words on how the ban is being
ignored and what damage the indiscriminate use of plastic bags in causing to the
environment. (Comptt. Delhi 2010)