REPORT WRITING

What is a report?
A report is a written account of something that one has observed, heard, done, or investigated. It
is a systematic and well organised presentation of facts and findings of an event that has already
taken place somewhere. Reports are used as a form of written assessment to find out what you
have learned from your reading, research or experience and to give you experience of an
important skill that is widely used in the work place.

Generally, two types of reports are asked in the exam, namely, newspaper report or a magazine
report. Newspaper report is the one which is published in a newspaper and magazine report is
generally written for a school magazine.
A well written report will must possess the following traits:
 adherence to the specifications of report brief;
 analysis of relevant information;
 structuring material in a logical and coherent order;
 presentation in a consistent manner according to the instructions of the report brief;
 making appropriate conclusions that are supported by the evidence and analysis of the report;
Now, it is very important to follow a proper format. Not to forget that format carries marks.

FORMAT OF A MAGAZINE REPORT

1. Heading– A descriptive title which is expressive of the contents of the report.
2. By line– Name of the person writing the report. It is generally given in the question. Remember,
you are not supposed to mention your personal details in your answer.
3. Opening paragraph (introduction) – It may include the ‘5 Ws’ namely, WHAT, WHY, WHEN and
WHERE along with WHO was invited as the chief guest.
4. Account of the event in detail– The proper sequence of events that occurred along with their
description. It is the main paragraph and can be split into two short paragraphs if required.
 Conclusion- This will include the description of how the event ended. It may include quote
excerpts from the Chief Guest’s speech or how did the event wind up.

FORMAT OF A NEWSPAPER REPORT

 Headline- A descriptive title which is expressive of the contents of the report.
 By line- Name of the person writing the report along with the designation. It is generally given in
the question. Remember, you are not supposed to mention your personal details in your answer.
 Place and date of reporting- It is generally not mentioned in a magazine report separately, but
here, it is.
1.
1. Opening paragraph- It includes expansion of the headline. It needs to be short as it is a general
overview of the report.
2. Account of the event in detail– It is generally written in two parts: First, complete account of
what happened in it’s chronological sequence (preferably) and second, the witness remarks.
 Concluding paragraph- This will include the action that has been taken so far or that will be
taken. It is the last paragraph.

MAGAZINE REPORT NEWSPAPER REPORT

Heading Headline

By line By line (along with the designation)

Opening paragraph Date and place

Account of the event Opening paragraph

Conclusion Account of the event and witness remarks

Conclusion

BIFURCATION OF MARKS

Format (Heading and Reporter’s name) 01 mark

Organization of ideas 01 mark

Content 02 marks

Spelling and grammar 01 mark

Total 5 marks

POINTS TO REMEMBER-
1. Make sure you use language which is suitable for the audience you are addressing to. Usage of
complex vocabulary for addressing children is not advisable.
2. Make sure you write in paragraphs.
3. Practice previous year question papers.
4. Read as many samples as you can. It will give you an idea as to how they are actually written.
5. Read the question at least twice and highlight the important information. It is very important to
understand the question and read between the lines. Albert Einstein once said,
“If you can’t explain it simply, you didn’t understand it well enough.”
1. Plan before you pen. Just make a list of all your important points on the rough sheet (last sheet
of your answer booklet) so that you do not forget relevant points while writing. This also helps
you in maintaining a sequence, which is very important.
2. Presentation is very important.
3. Make sure you double check for grammatical accuracy and spellings. They carry marks.
4. Leave adequate number of lines between paragraphs to make it look clean.
5. Underlining the main points is very important. But it is advised to do it after finishing your exam.
Use a pencil and scale for underlining.
6. Make small sentences. It restricts the scope of grammatical inaccuracies.

Suggested value points as given in the sample paper 2021-22 released by CBSE-
VARIOUS ACTIVITIES IN THE ADOPTED VILLAGE
Suggested value points: A Report should answer the questions:
 What – name of event and occasion, by whom conducted
 Where
 When -date and time Activities (Teaching & Social Work) held
 A comment on the quality of the activities organized

Report Writing Examples

Report Writing Topics for CBSE – Solved Questions
Report writing solved exampleS

Q1. MMD School, Nashik, recently organised a science symposium on the topic: ‘Effect of
pollution on quality of life’. You are Amit/Amita Raazdan, editor of the school magazine.
Write a report on the event for your school magazine. (120 – 150 words)
(SOURCE- CBSE 2018)
Answer:
Report on Science Symposium held at MMD School, Nashik
-By Amit/ Amita Raazdan, Editor of the school magazine
A symposium was organised on 1 March 2022 in the school on the topic “Effect of Pollution on
Quality of Life”. All the science students were a part of the elucidative programme.
The event stared with the felicitation of the guest speakers. Thereafter, the participants were
espoused by Sh. Suraj Prakash. He acquainted them with the objectives and goals of the
workshop. The resource person Dr. Hari Om Gupta reflected his profound knowledge on the
topic and highlighted how important it is to curb the menace of pollution.
An exalting demonstration of effects of pollution on our lives galvanized the engrossed
participants. After the lunch break Dr. K.K. Arora, Resource Person, exhibited the possible steps
that can be undertaken at the personal level to reduce pollution. It was followed by another
session on the basic concept behind pollution reduction which triggered the young minds into
thinking innovative ways.
An interactive concourse ignited the inquisitiveness of participants. They have committed
themselves completely to bring about a change in the situation. The informative workshop
culminated with a vote of thanks proposed by the head of the science department.

Q2. You are Karan/ Kirti of L.M. Memorial Public School, Dwarka. Your school has adopted
a village as a social responsibility. Students are being taken to teach the children of that
village on a regular basis. Write a report, for your school magazine, on the various other
programmes organized there in 120 – 150 words.
(SOURCE- CBSE Sample Question Paper 2018-19)
Answer:
VILLAGE ADOPTION- A STEP TOWARDS BEING SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE
-BY KARAN/ KRITI
On the occasion of World Literacy Day, L.M. Memorial Public School, Dwarka has taken an oath
to embrace the village named Rajpur.
The school has taken the responsibility of educating the people residing in the village. Selected
students from each standard are taken there every weekend, during school hours to impart
knowledge. The first 6 month motive is to make each and every person capable of reading and
writing. Free books and stationery is being provided for quality education. Children are given time
to spend with each other, play games and interact. Apart from the educational needs, special
care is devoted to hygiene and sanitation. Girls are being given awareness on the importance of
menstrual hygiene as well. Various talent hunts have been organised which left everyone
overawed. The immense enthusiasm and zeal in the people to learn is the main driving factor.
A family kind of environment is being created. The school treats the people of the village as its
own students and is unbiased. By adopting a village, the school is making its students sensitive
towards the needs of the environment at a young age. It is committed towards raising the leaders
of tomorrow.

Q3. Cultural Society Sunshine Public School, Nellore organised an adult literacy camp in
its neighbourhood. Write a report in 120 – 150 words on the camp for your school
newsletter. You are P.V. Sunitha, Secretary. Use the following clues: no. of volunteers –
hours spent in teaching – location of the class – chairs, blackboards – no. of people
attending the camp – benefit.
(SOURCE- CBSE 2017)
Answer:
ADULT LITERACY CAMP
-BY P. V. SUNITHA, SECRETARY
An adult literacy camp was organised by Cultural Society Sunshine Public School, Nellore in the
school neighbourhood yesterday extending educational options to those adults, who have lost
the opportunity and have crossed the age of formal education. The activities of the camp were
carried out by the cultural society of the school and there were a total of 25 volunteers.
The camp began with the welcome speech for the chief guest, Mrs. Kavita Naik, a renowned
social worker. 400 people were a part of the camp. They were divided into different groups in
accordance with their competencies. They were taught the basics for being able to read and
write. Free books and stationery is being provided for quality education. All the arrangements
including desks and blackboard were done in advance. Apart from the educational needs, special
care was devoted to hygiene and sanitation. They were taught basics of cleanliness like types of
wastes and their management. Refreshments were also provided to the participants. The
immense enthusiasm and zeal in the people to learn I was the main driving factor.
The chief guest distributed the certificates of participation among the volunteers. The camp
ended on a positive note. There was an atmosphere of learning and growing together.

Q4. You are Sandhya/ Sohan an active member of the Animal Lovers Club which works for
the welfare of animals by preventing cruelty to them. Recently you visited Mahatma
Gandhi Animal Care Home. You were pleasantly surprised to see the good treatment
given to the animals. Write a report in 120 – 150 words on your visit.
You may use the following points: injured dogs and cats – abandoned pets – very old
animals – all very well cared for – well-equipped medical room – veterinary surgeon –
green surroundings.
(SOURCE- CBSE 2018 compartment)
Answer:
Visit to Mahatma Gandhi Animal Care Home
-Sandhya/Sohan
Animal Lovers Club was recently invited by the Mahatma Gandhi Animal Care Home for a visit
where an opportunity to oversee the working of the organisation was given.
It is a home to abandoned pets, rescued animals and the ones injured on the streets. There were
many old animals as well. It was astounding to see the quality of care the animals are being
given. They have a family-like environment for them. This helps them to heal faster and stay
happy. The animal home has all the facilities ranging from well- equipped medical room to a
veterinary surgeon. Regular check-ups of those unwell by a team of veterinary specialists are
carried out. The surroundings are animal-friendly as well. They are not being ruthlessly kept in
cages. They have green surroundings with enough space for them to play and nurture.
 Mahatma Gandhi Animal Care Home is doing a mind-blowing job by understanding and fulfilling
the needs of those who can’t speak for themselves. The experience was an overwhelming one.

Q5. Independence Day was celebrated in your school. District Magistrate, Ms. Indu Bala
Sharma was the Chief Guest. Write a report on the function in 120 – 150 words describing
all the activities that took place. You are Head boy/Head girl.
(SOURCE- 2017 COMPARTMENT)
Answer:
GD Goenka School celebrated the Independence Day with great enthusiasm and patriotic
fervour. On the morning of August 14, 2021, our students presented hand-made greeting cards
and tri-colour flag badges to the senior management functionaries of the school.
The cultural programme at school commenced with everyone singing ‘Vande Mataram’ followed
by flag hoisting by the chief guest, Ms. Indu Bala Sharma, the District Magistrate. The spirit of
freedom and nationalism was well exhibited by the students as well as the teachers through a
spectrum of patriotic poems, speeches, quiz on freedom fighter, songs and dance. Committed to
the task of nation building, both faculty and student teachers pledged to serve their motherland
through spreading education and serving the community. A presentation on the historical
evolution of the national flag of India was shown. A documentary on the contribution of unsung
heroes of Indian freedom struggle like Tirupur Kumaran, Kamla Devi Chattopadhayay and
Khudiram Bose enlightened the audience. A few of them spoke on the history and significance of
the Independence Day and shed light on the special highlight of celebrations this year
It ended with a speech by the principal on the topic, “What does freedom mean to me?” The
celebration concluded with the inspiring words of the principal madam, followed by the National
Anthem and the distribution of refreshments.

Q. How should I start writing a report?

A. Starting a report requires some amount of understanding of the process, the way one can start
writing a report is:
1. Choose a topic in accordance to the assignment.
2. Conduct a research on the topic.
3. Write a statement.
4. Prepare an outline.
5. Prepare a rough draft.
6. Revise and edit the report.
7. Proofread and check out the mistakes.