|
"Reports can be straightforward recounts of events, but many of them are
more than this. They may contain accounts and descriptions, but they
often do more than describe a thing, event or situation. Some reports
state a problem and suggest a solution. Some argue a case for or against
a particular option, supporting their case with evidence and making a
recommendation."
(The Learner as a Reader,
Learning Media NZ:P 129)
|
|
Purpose
The purpose of a
report is to describe and classify information. Reports have a logical
sequence of facts that are stated without any personal involvement from
the writer.
Informative
reports are written about living things like plants and animals and
non-living things like cars or oceans. An information report is used
when we talk and write about things, eg. Bikes. (When writing a
description we only talk/write about one specific thing, eg.
My Bike).
|
|
Features
/ Structure
Reports usually consist of the following:
an opening statement. (The Antarctic is a large continent at the
South Pole; Possums are nocturnal animals that were introduced to New
Zealand from Australia.)
a series of facts about various aspects of the subject eg; where possums
live, what they eat, problems they cause, etc. These facts are grouped
into paragraphs and each paragraph has a topic sentence.
diagrams, photographs, illustrations and maps may be used to enhance the
text
reports don't usually have an 'ending", although sometimes the detailed
information is rounded off by some general statement about the topic.
|
|
Language
Nouns and noun phrases are used rather than personal pronouns. The use
of personal pronouns is limited.
Most reports are written in the present tense.
Some reports use technical or scientific terms.
Linking verbs are used, eg; is, are, has, have, belong to, to give
coherence.
Uses some action verbs (climb, eat).
Descriptive language is used that is factual rather than imaginative eg;
colour, shape, size, body parts, habits, behaviours, functions, uses.
|
