Report Writing
Introduction to Report Writing
What is a Report?
A report is a piece of writing that contains accounts of things that are seen, heard, known or investigated. Report writing is very similar to article writing, but the latter is more casual than the former. Reports are meant to be published in journals, newspapers and magazines.
The characteristics of a report:
- Informs the reader about an idea, phenomenon and piece of news or information
- Describes a situation or a sequence of an event
- Presents an opinion or an objective analysis
- Can be formal or informal depending on who the readers are
- Is more formal than a report
- Is well researched and the facts are true
- Can be used for descriptive purposes
Format of a Report
Catchy Title or Headline
Also called
Byline
Example:
How to Write a Report
- Before one starts writing, ask four questions. Use your imagination and visualise the prompt.
- What has happened?/What will happen?
- When has it happened?/When will it happen?
- Where has it happened?/Where will it happen?
- Who are involved?/Who will be involved?
- How has it happened?/How will it happen?
- Think of a catchy headline that may give the reader a brief idea. Do not include too many details in the headline.
- Use the title case for writing headlines. All the words except prepositions and articles will start with a capital letter.
- Write the name of the reporter or the Byline if it is given in the question. If not, then write ‘By Staff Reporter’.
- If the report is meant for a school magazine and if the name is not given, then write ‘By a Student Reporter’.
- Write the place and the date below the byline.
- The placeline should correspond with place where the incident took place.
- The date should correspond to the day the report was published, not when the event in the report happened.
- Structure your article by dividing your points into three parts—introduction, body and conclusion.
Introduction:
Include the most important details in the introductory lines. Do divulge details in the first line.
Answer the What? Where? When? Who? Questions.
Body:
The body of the report will expand the details given in the introductory line.
The body of the report will also include details like quotes of people and accounts of eyewitnesses.
Quotations will create a feeling of being at the scene.
Conclusion:
The closing lines will tie up the loose ends and divulge in any extra or related information.
It may also present the reader with the current status of the incident.
Sample 1: Teacher’s Day Celebration Report
You are Amit Patel writing for your school magazine. Write a news report about the Teacher‘s Day Celebration in your school.
Teacher’s Day Celebration at Saraswati Vidyalay
By Amit Patel
Malad, 5th February 2015: The Teacher‘s Day celebrations at Saraswati Vidyalay this year was exciting and special at the same time. In addition to the song and dance routines performed by students, there were numerous skits based on the lives of many famous people such as Dr Radhakrishnan, Rabindranath Tagore and Savitribai Phule.
As an initiative, the students of the school with the help of their parents collected money which will be used for the benefit of the retired teachers of the school. There were also games and activities organised for the teachers.
Senior teacher Mrs Godbole said, I am moved by the gesture of the students. Our students are the finest.
The programme ended with a special lunch arranged by the students for the faculty.
Sample 2: Hoax Caller Arrest Report
Report the arrest of a prank caller who sent the police on a wild goose chase about a nonexistent bomb.
Hoax Caller Arrest
By Ruksar Ansari
Delhi, 7th September, 2014: A local man has been arrested in connection with a hoax call that was made to the Delhi police. A.C Murugesh, a resident of Saket, has been arrested for not only misleading the police but also delaying three flights.
The perpetrator claimed to have knowledge of three bombs that were apparently planted in a UK bound flight. The call set the police force in motion who along with the bomb squad cordoned off the airport area and moved the people to safety.
Eventually, it was determined that the call was a hoax. Police employed the Aircel cellular service to track the location where the call was made and apprehended the culprit.
The investigation is in progress to ascertain whether the perpetrator has a history of mental illnesses.
Sample 3: Report a Burglary in Your Locality
Thief Outwitted by the Silent Alarm
By Amit Patel
Malad, 5th February 2015: Ruckus ensured when a thief was apprehended by the traders at Bougainvillea Marg yesterday. The area is well known for its jewellery shops and has experienced thefts in the past. Three jewellers and a mobile store owner have been robbed in the course of 3 months.
Mr Rajat Zaveri was settling his accounts when a stranger armed with a switchblade entered the shop at 10 pm. The man then ordered him to sit still while he emptied the shelves. Initially, Mr Zaveri did as he was told; he later switched on a silent alarm and alerted the other shopkeepers nearby.
Within five minutes, not only did they notify the police but also beat the thief black and blue. The accused was identified as Sajjan Singh, an unemployed youth who indulged in petty thievery.
The police believe that he may have some information about the series of robberies that has taken place at Bougainvillea Marg.
Sample 4: Report an Incident Where Two Classmates Injured Themselves
Mayhem in Class 10 B
By a Student Reporter
Powai, 7th March 2015: Two students of Class 10 B were reprimanded by the teacher on account of their bad behaviour and were taken to the principal‘s office yesterday. The students Ganesh Apte and Manish Tilwani were caught by the headmistress Mrs Fonseca wrestling in the class.
Students say that it was a case of a simple game gone wrong. Yesterday, the two were playing ‗Truth or Dare‘ when the former dared the latter to call a classmate by an offensive name. His reluctance to do so caused his friend to poke fun at him. This resulted in a war of words and the two started pummelling each other.
The principal did laud Manish for refusing to perform the odious ‗dare‘ but ultimately held him responsible for being the first person to react violently. The parents of the students will be called tomorrow for a meeting with the principal.
Sample 5: Leopard Rescue Operation Report
Big Cat Rescued in Vasai Village
By Tanisha Aggrawal
Vasai, 13th November 2014: A leopard was rescued from a well here yesterday at 8 am. In a rescue operation that lasted 3 hours, the animal was finally retrieved from the well where it had been trapped for 10 hours.
The Bhoir family members were awakened by growls emanating from their well in the wee hours of the morning. Madhusudan Bhoir, the patriarch of the family, flashed some light into the well and discovered the wounded feline in neck-deep water.
Dr Pankaj Navate, a leading zoologist who has recently written a paper on the preying habits of leopards, was called to the spot. His assistants used a tranquiliser dart to sedate the leopard. Afterwards, Dr Navate was lowered into the well with the help of a pulley to retrieve the animal. The operation was a success.
Dr Navate explained that leopards often wander into human territory in search of smaller mammals to prey on. The feline may have targeted the Bhoir family’s pet, a golden retriever, and in the process, missed the well and fell in.
He remarked, “We ourselves are responsible for this situation. Rapid deforestation and human encroachment have caused the animals to showcase such aberrant behaviour.”
The leopard is currently under observation and will soon be released into the wild.
Sample 6: Annual Sports Day a Success
By Jay Menon
Ghatkopar, 17th December 2014: St Pius School held its 45th Annual Sports Day on the 16th of July 2014 at Kapadia Nagar grounds. Students from Class 5 to 10 participated in a variety of sporting events.
The Principal Dr Thayagarajan inaugurated the event and regaled the students with anecdotes and jokes. He raised their spirits and wished them the best.
The school band marched past the audience with a flag bearing the school’s emblem. The prefects ushered the athletes to the ground. At about 10 am, the sporting events were kick started.
The events were divided into two categories — under 13 and under 15. The winners of each round were selected for the final rounds. Events included:
- Short putt
- Long jump
- Running race
- Walking race
- Javelin throw
Student athletes who excelled in these events participated in the finale. The winners were awarded medals and certificates.
Raghav Handa from Class IX A won the title of ‘St Pius All-rounder’.
At the closing ceremony, the principal congratulated the winners and gave a short speech on the importance of sportsmanship.
Sample 7: Republic Day Celebrations at Mahatma Gandhi Vidyalaya
By Krishna Sarathy
Mumbai, 27th January 2014: The 66th Republic Day was celebrated with a lot of fanfare and grandeur at Mahatma Gandhi Vidyalaya yesterday. Students and teachers from all classes participated in the plethora of cultural programmes which took place in the school premises.
The day began with the hoisting of the national flag by our Principal Dr Mehta at 7 am. The entire assembly of students sang the national anthem immediately after the flag hoisting. The school band marched past the ground playing drums and trumpets. The band members were dressed in the colours of the school’s emblem and wore attractive sashes and headgears.
Highlights of the Celebration
- Dance Competition: Students competed in solo and group dance categories.
- Winners: Miss Umang (Class 9 – solo), Class 6 (group folk performance).
- Environment Exhibition: Showcased student models on environmental awareness and solar-powered gadgets.
- Winning Model: Solar-powered garbage disposal unit.
Following the exhibition, a short prayer was held, after which the Principal delivered an inspiring speech on youth empowerment. The event concluded with a heartfelt group song by the teachers, leaving everyone feeling patriotic and inspired.
Sample 8: Blood Donation Camp at EST Hospital
By N Chandra
Pune, February 16: A blood donation camp is being organised on Independence Day by EST Hospital. The event will take place at Raviwar Peth, Pune, and will be inaugurated by Dr R. C. Patil.
To ensure the safety of all donors, a free medical check-up will be conducted before the donation process. The hospital has teamed up with Karuna Catering Services to provide nutritious refreshments to all blood donors after the procedure.
Special Initiatives
- Donor ID Cards: All participants will receive a personalized identity card marking them as registered blood donors.
- Bone Marrow Donation: Volunteers can also register as bone marrow donors to support cancer patients in need.
EST Hospital hopes the event will be a great success and aims to organize the blood donation camp annually to encourage ongoing community participation.
Sample 9: Daylight Robbery at C. S Society
By Jagan Tiwari
Pune, 4th April 2014: A woman was robbed at knifepoint on Thursday morning near C. S Society. The victim, Mrs Subbhalakshmi (38), was on her way to work at 8 am and had stopped at the Axis Bank ATM to withdraw cash.
While she was inside the ATM, an unidentified man entered abruptly and threatened her with a knife, demanding she withdraw Rs 15,000. When she hesitated, the man reportedly pressed the knife to her throat. He then claimed to be the same assailant who had previously attacked a woman in a similar ATM incident in Bengaluru, warning her to comply.
After she withdrew the money under duress, the robber fled the scene. CCTV footage from the ATM shows a middle-aged man threatening Mrs Subbhalakshmi. The Pune Police, led by Inspector Shewale, have begun their investigation and distributed the suspect’s image across local media outlets.
“We are certain that this man is a habitual offender. There have been cases of knifepoint robbery in the past. The composite sketch that we made back then resembles the person in the CCTV images,” said Inspector Shewale.
Mrs Subbhalakshmi has not issued any public statement following the incident.
Sample 10: Science Exhibition at G. L. Singhania
By Shashwati Asthana
Mumbai, 18th November 2014: The Science Fair 2014 began with excitement and innovation at G. L. Singhania High School on Monday, the 17th of November. The event saw participation from over 30 schools and was themed “Across the Universe.” Schools were encouraged to align their exhibits with the theme for a chance to win the competition.
Krishna Vilas High School presented an impressive model of a Martian colony. Through computer simulation, students created a virtual Martian landscape, showcasing sustainable colonies that could support life. The interactive interface allowed visitors to explore the terrain and experience the thrill of life on Mars.
G. L. Singhania’s own students demonstrated a batch of Indian space food. Siddhi Thakur, the innovator behind the project, explained how the packets could remain fresh and edible in zero gravity.
The top prize was clinched by St Aloysius High School with their cutting-edge project: the Sunspot Reader. The device demonstrated the relationship between solar activity and the flow of rivers—a subject hailed as the “holy grail” of solar studies.
Students Rohan Pattnaik, Trideep Iyer, Swarna Naidu and Manasi Kaul received the G. L. Singhania Cash Award of Rs 20,000 for Excellence in Science.