Reading and writing reports

1
Non -chronological Reports

• Reading and writing reports

2
Purpose

• Why do we read and write reports?
• Reports describe the way things are.
• Their purpose is to document, organise and store
  information.
• We read them to find out information.
• We write them to give information to others or
  keep it for future use.

3
How are reports organised?

• They are mainly made up of paragraph text.
• They have an introduction which explains what
  they are about.
• They contain facts most of the content of the
  report gives information
• They end with a summary of the key points.

4
How do we read reports?

• They are not chronological
• they do not need to be read from beginning to
  end.
• Use the contents and index.
• They can be read by skimming.
• They can be read by scanning.
• Reading for detail takes place after you have
  used the other reading skills and have found the
  information you are interested in.

5
How do we write reports?

• Choose your topic
• Collect your information
• Use a range of resources
• books,
• CD-ROMs,
• Internet,
• interviews.

6
Organise your information

• Most reports have a series of paragraphs on
  different aspects of the subject.
• Put related facts together.
• Make sure the first sentence in each paragraph
  gives the key idea
• Other sentences add detail
• Tables, pictures, diagrams and bulleted lists add
  more information in a variety of ways.

7
Make your meaning plain.

• Use headings and sub-headings to outline the key
  idea of each paragraph
• Write clearly dont confuse the reader
• Keep to the facts a report should be factual
• if you are including opinion make it plain to
  the reader that everyone may not agree with you.

8
Your Writing Style

• Reports are fairly formal
• They are written in the third person and the
  present tense
• Be precise check your facts
• Use technical vocabulary
• Make it suitable for your intended audience
• Take an angle
• why are your readers interested in the subject?
• What information will they be most interested in?

9
Keep your reader interested

• Use descriptive language
• you are giving detail. Make sure its not just a
  list of facts.
• Show contrast between your paragraphs
• bring out the similarities and differences of
  your subject.
• Add comments or questions
• relate the subject to the reader.

10
Check Your Writing

• Check that your headings and sub-headings are
  clear.
• Is it interesting?
• Does it go on too long about small details.
• Re-read your report as if you know nothing about
  your subject.
• Does it successfully put the information across?