REPORT
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An English friend of yours is working on a series of articles called Young and Old Around the
World which looks at different towns and cities through the eyes of teenagers and senior
citizens. She has written asking for your help and this is an extract from her letter.
What I want is some first-hand information about what its like to live in your town from the
point of view of the two different age groups. You would need to interview, say, ten people in
each category on the main topics of public transport, entertainment, and shopping and write
me a brief report. Could you also include a short introduction about your town and give a little
summing up at the end?
Write your report in about 140 - 190 words.
A report is a formal document prepared by one person or a group of people who have
been studying a particular subject. There are two basic kinds of reports:
The first simply provides information on a topic and gives a brief conclusion or summary
at the end. Example: a report on the educational system in a particular country, written
to help someone research the subject.
The second sets out to identify strengths and weaknesses in a particular situation and
make recommendations for improvement. Example: a report on the library facilities in a
college written at the request of the principal.
Language and register
Reports are the most impersonal kind of writing and it is usually best to avoid expressing
personal opinions or feelings, except, perhaps, in the conclusion. Instead of I think that
or I found that for example, you can use the impersonal It construction and a
passive, eg It seems that It was found that
It is also advisable to avoid making very definite statements unless youre absolutely
sure theyre true. Instead of saying It is for example, you can use a modal verb eg It
could/may/might be or a more tentative expression such as It seems to be or It tends to
be.
Layout and organisation
Reports should have a clear factual heading and may also have subheadings which divide
the writing into shorter sections. The information should be organised and presented as
clearly and logically as possible, with a short introduction explaining the aims of the
report and how the information was obtained and a suitable conclusion, summing up
the information and making recommendations if necessary.
Useful language
Introduction:
The aim of this report is to..
It is based on
This report is intended to..
It draws on
This report looks at / describes..
It uses..
Reporting an
observation:
It seems/appears that..
It was found that..
The majority / minority of
Quoting:
According to
It was felt that ..
As X said
In the words of
Speculating:
It may / could / might (well) be that ..
Generalising:
In general
Commenting:
Interestingly
On the whole
Curiously
Surprisingly
In the main
Oddly
Predictably
As might be (have been) expected
Making a recommendation:
Strangely
It is interesting that
It is recommended that ..
(Perhaps) it would be advisable for X to (do)
(Perhaps) X might /should consider
Summing up:
To sum up / To summarise On balance
In short
Take a look at the following example:
Leisure Facilities in Grimthorpe
Introduction
The aim of this report is to describe and assess the leisure facilities available in Grimthorpe. It is
based on information made available by the Grimthorpe Tourist Office, and on views expressed
by local people who were interviewed.
Sport
Grimthorpe has a wide range of sports facilities, both public and private. There is a large
modern leisure centre in the High Street and facilities include a swimming pool, a sports hall for
judo, fencing and other activities, and tennis courts. The centre runs courses in all these sports
and these tend to be very popular. Membership costs 150 a year, which was felt to be rather
expensive, but a special temporary membership is available to visitors. The public swimming
pool on the outskirts of the town is older, less attractive and often overcrowded, but entry is
only 1.50.
Theatres
There are two theatres in town, the Kings Theatre in Bee Street, which offers mainly serious
drama and has a good reputation for its productions of Shakespeare, and the Little Theatre in
Sea Street which specialises in lighter entertainment and the occasional pop concert. In
general, it seems that the Kings Theatre is more popular with the older members of the
community while the Little appeals more to people in their teens and twenties.
Museums and Art Galleries
The City Museum has an extensive collection of maps, pottery and other articles connected
with Grimthorpes history. The attendants are said to be very friendly and helpful, and there is
also a small caf with reasonably priced home-made snacks. Interestingly, few of the local
people interviewed had ever been to the museum but it was recommended highly by several
tourists.
Conclusion
Grimthorpe is well provided with leisure facilities for a town of its size and these are well used
by the townspeople on the whole. Sport seems to be the most popular leisure activity, while
cultural activities like visiting the museum or art gallery appeared to be the least popular
among the Grimthorpians who were interviewed. Perhaps the City Council should consider
launching a publicity campaign to show how much these facilities have to offer.
