Writing a Report
3.2 Homework: report 5 minutes (for the explanations of the task)
Students, individually, are asked to write a short report, with a maximum of 300-350 words, on what a woman has to cope with during her life, what a feminicide is, why it happens, how it happens.
What a report is:
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 you’re absolutely sure they’re 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.
Look at this task: Write a report suggesting improvements to classes at Today School.
Write your report in about 250 words.
Introduction
The aim of this report is to compare different ideas to make classes in Today School more enjoyable for students while learning at the same time. A large number of students were interviewed to find out differing opinions.
Classroom Activities
Some of the students suggested using more videos and songs during the classes and some even mentioned that parties with alcohol would be a good idea. A few of them gave reasons why they preferred these activities:
Pop music and films are interesting and topical
Alcohol makes people relax and talk more.
Outside Class
The majority of students mentioned that homework should be reduced drasticallywhereas others expressed a preference for doing excursions in English, giving the following reasons:
Too much homework makes students stressed.
Excursions are a fun way of putting into practice what is learnt.
Recommendations
Some of the ideas have benefits, however, suggestions to allow alcohol and reduce homework should be immediately discarded. On the other hand, it is felt the majority of students would take advantage of more pop videos and excursions and so these suggestions are recommendable.
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 … It was felt that ..
Quoting: According to … As X said… In the words of …
Speculating: It may / could / might (well) be that ..
Generalising: In general On the whole In the main
Commenting: Interestingly Curiously Oddly Strangely
Surprisingly Predictably
As might be (have been) expected It is interesting that
Making a recommendation: 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
