What is a report?

A written statement prepared for...the benefit of others describing...what has happened or a state of

affairs, normally based on...investigation / research or experience.

Briefly: factual, formal, not a letter→ RB, p 17

Report Writing

Formal considerations

LANGUAGE (register & style) LAYOUT - STRUCTURE USEFUL PHRASES

THE REGISTER – level of formality Depends on the target reader Almost always FORMAL No colloquial phrases! No contractions (don't, haven't, 'cos..)! Avoid phrasal verbs (pick up, set up, etc.)

THE STYLE ACCURATE - true facts, precise, refer to sources CLEAR AND CONCISE – avoid repetition, long

sentences, unnecessary detail OBJECTIVE

NO: bias, emotional words, I,I,IUSE: passive, reporting structures & narrative tenses (Past Simple, Past Perfect, Past Continuous) p 18

THE LAYOUT Start with a TITLE Use CLEAR HEADINGS Each SECTION its own PARAGRAPH. Use NUMBERS (1) or BULLETS (•) CompaniesCompanies often have their own format of standard reports often have their own format of standard reports

and do not completely follow the structure presented below.and do not completely follow the structure presented below.→ RB, pp 19-20 – STRUCTURE→ Task I→ Task II→ Consider the opening phrase in every section. → Study the list of phrases & do the tasks on pp 22-23HW: Complete the report on p 24