Introduction to Report Writing
What is a Report?
A report is a piece of writing the 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 that 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 objectives 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 Report
Title ---- Catchy Title or Headline
Name of the Reporter ---- Also called Byline
Place, Date
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
Example
2 injured in vehicle collision at Ram Maruti Road ---- Title
Anusha Banerjee ---- Name of the writer
Thane, 10th June, 2024 ---- Place and Date
Two men were injured on Ram Maruti Road yesterday ---- Introduction
when a motorist failed to see an oncoming car. Catch the reader's attention. Should answer Who? When? and Where?
Rakesh Sharma (34) didn't notice the Maruti Zen car ---- Additional Information
driven by Sumant Daspupta (27) because he was Supply details. Most important details
distracted by a noisy wedding procession on the road. go first
Both men are residents of Vrindavan society and were
immediately taken to Dr. Salvi's Hospital at Ram Maruti
Road, Thane.
Every witnesses say that even though Dasgupta tried to ---- Additional Information
avert the situation by applying breaks, it didn't help. What people / eyewitnesses said
Though he has escaped with minor abrasions, Sharma ---- Conclusion / Final views of the writer
had to hear the full brunt of the impact. He has a broken
nose and an injured shin bone. Both men are recuperating
at the hospital.
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?
Example:
Headline: Science Exhibition at Poddar High School
What has happened? – Science exhibition
When? – Tuesday
Where? – Poddar High School
Who?—Students of Poddar High School/ Students of other schools/ teachers How?—
Gathered at Poddar High School—exhibited science projects—themes revolved around
science—Principal judged—Gurukul High School won—Came to an end after cultural
shows
• 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.
o Tsunami Rocks Southern India
o Blood Donation Camp at Vasant Kunj
o Two Injured in a Tree Collapse
o Angry Tusker Creates Mayhem
• 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.
o By Tahira Rashid
Mumbai, September 2014: ...
o By Rachna Shettigar
Bengaluru, March 2015:...
• Structure your article by dividing your points into three parts—introduction, body and
conclusion.
o Introduction: Include the most important details in the introductory lines. Do divulge details
in the first line.
o Answer the What? Where? When? Who? Questions.
o Two civilians were injured when a tree collapsed at Girija Nagar yesterday.
o Mayhem ensued when a tusker ran amok at Indira Nagar earlier today.
o Body: The body of the report will expand the details given in the introductory line.
o Mitesh Shah (41) and Jagadish Jalan (29) were injured when a century old
banyan tree collapsed in yesterday‘s rain.
o Umashankaran, a 10-year-old elephant, created chaos when it ran amok at the
jaggery market at Indira Nagar yesterday.
o The body of the report will also include details like quotes of people and accounts of
eyewitnesses.
o Quotations will create a feeling of being at the scene.
o Rajesh Gajanan, an onlooker said, ―It was very unfortunate. The two men didn‘t
expect the sturdy tree to collapse so suddenly.‖
o Chinnamma, a vendor who sells palm sugar at the location, recounted the great
fury of the tusker. ―He trumpeted very loudly at the sight of the mahout.‖
o The closing lines will tie up the loose ends and divulge in any extra or related information.
o It may also present the reader with the current status of the incident.
o The two are now recuperating at Maruti Hospital and are believed to be out of
danger.
o The elephant has now been tamed and confined at Juno Animal Hospital. Dr.
Pashupati will now check the tusker for any signs of elephantine dementia.
Sample 1
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 Vidayalay 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
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 that took place 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 Bougainvillaea Marg.
Sample 4
You are the student reporter. Report an incident
where two of your 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
A leopard has been rescued from a well by wildlife
activists. Report the rescue operation.
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 lay 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 found the wounded feline in neck-deep
water.
Dr Pankaj Navate, a leading zoologist who
has recent written a paper on the preying habits of
the leopards, was called to the spot. His assistants
shot a tranquiliser to sedate the leopard.
Afterwards, Dr Navate was lowered into the
well with a help of a pulley to retrieve the sedated
animal. The operation was a success.
Dr Navate said that leopards wander into
human territory in search of smaller mammals to
prey on. The feline may have targeted the Bhoir
family pet, a golden retriever.
In the process of stalking it, the leopard may
have missed the well. ―We ourselves are
responsible for this situation. Rapid deforestation
and human encroachment have caused the animals
to showcase such aberrant behaviour.‖ The leopard
is now under observation and will soon be released
into the wild.
Sample 6
Write a report on the Annual Sports Day held in
your school.
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 schools 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. Short
putt, long jump, running race, walking race and
javelin throw were some events that were
showcased. 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 wished the winners and
gave a short speech on the importance of
sportsmanship.
Sample 7
Write a report on the Republic Day celebrations at
your school.
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 the 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 members of the band
were dressed in the colours of the school‘s emblem
and wore attractive sashes and headgears.
The cultural events were kick started with the
dance competition where students competed with
one another in the solo and group dance categories.
Miss Umang from Class 9 won in the solo category,
and Class 6 won for their colourful rendition of a folk
song.
After the cultural events, an environment
exhibition was held where the students displayed
various models on environmental awareness and
solar-powered gadgets. The model for a solar-
powered garbage disposal won the first prize. After
a short prayer, the Principal gave a speech on the
empowerment of the youth. The event concluded
with a group song by the teachers.
Sample 8
Write a report on a blood donation camp that will be
organised by a local hospital.
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.
Dr R. C. Patil will inaugurate the camp which will
take place at Raviwar Peth, Pune. The hospital is
going to have a free medical check up for all donors
before the blood donation. Karuna Catering
Services has partnered with the hospital to serve
nutritious refreshments to all donors after the
donation.
The hospital is also going to give the donors
an identity card that will identify the people as
registered blood donors after they have participated
in this camp. The hospital has also invited
volunteers who can register themselves as bone
marrow donors. This will help cancer patients get a
new lease of life.
EST Hospital hopes the camp will be a success so
that it can organise the event every year.
Sample 9
Write a report on how a woman was robbed at an
ATM.
Daylight Robbery at C. S Society
By
Jagan Tiwari
Pune, 4th April 2014: A lady was robbed at
knifepoint here in the early hours of Thursday. Mrs
Subbhalakshmi (38) was on her way to work at 8
am when she decided to withdraw some cash from
the Axis Bank ATM outside C. S Society.
Once she entered the ATM, a man opened
the door and barged inside. He brandished a knife
at her and asked her to withdraw Rs 15,000. When
she resisted, he held the knife to her throat. He even
reminded her of an incident in Bengaluru where a
woman was hacked inside an ATM by an unknown
man. Claiming to be the same person who attacked
her, he asked her to do as he said. Once the money
was withdrawn, he fled the spot.
The police have retrieved the CCTV camera
footage where a middle-aged man is seen
threatening Mrs Subbhalakshmi. Inspector Shewale
and his team are close on the perpetrator‘s heel and
have circulated his images in the newspapers.
Shewale said, ―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.‖ Mrs Subbhalakshmi was
unavailable for comment.
Sample 10
Write a report on a science exhibition held in your
school.
Science Exhibition at G. L. Singhania
By
Shashwati Asthana
Mumbai, 18th November 2014: The Science Fair
2014 kicked off with much fanfare at G. L.
Singhania High School on Monday, the 17th of
November. Students from 30 different schools
participated in the annual event. The theme of the
exhibition this year was ̳Across the Universe‘, and
schools were asked to present exhibits on the
theme if they wished to win.
Krishna Vilas High School had exhibited a
model of a Martian colony. Through computer
simulation, the students created a virtual Martian
landscape and sustainable colonies that can
support life. Through an interactive interface, one
could navigate through the planet‘s terrain and
vicariously experience the thrill of living on Mars.
G. L Singhania‘s students made a batch of
Indian food that can be eaten in space. Siddhi
Thakur, the brain behind the idea, said that these
food packets can be consumed in zero gravity and
would stay fresh for a very long time.
The winner, however, was St Aloysius High
School with their Sunspot Reader. They created a
device that could detect the relationship between
solar activity and the flow of rivers. Their area of
study is considered the holy grail of solar
studies.
The students Rohan Pattnaik, Trideep Iyer,
Swarna Naidu and Manasi Kaul were awarded the
G. L Singhania cash award of Rs 20,000 for
Excellence in Science.