According to the dictionary, one of the meaning of the word 'report' is 'an account or a statement.' A report, therefore, is an account of events or the investigation and analysis of an area of interest or concern, or a problem, prepared for somebody's perusal or for presentation at a particular forum. Reports are of several different kinds and may be prepared for diverse purposes. Here we shall look at how to prepare reports for newspapers or magazines or as part of some project undertaken by an individual or an institution.
During your academic years you may be expected to write reports for your college journal or prepare a brochure containing relevant information. You may also find yourself in situation where you have to write a report focusing on the activities of a particular organization, or record your observations on a given subject giving your suggestions and/or make recommendations for the improvement of a system.
Most reports fall under one of the two kinds, i.e.., informative and analytical.
Points To Remember
A reporter who has to cover an event, which could be anything ranging from a political rally, an accident, a fashion show, a conference, a strike to a communal riot, would necessarily have to meet a reasonable number of people who were either involved in the event or were eyewitness. After detailed questioning and through investigation, he/she would write the report and assuring that all facts are accurate. Some of the points are new reporter must always remember are :
1. To mention the date and place of the event.
2. To make an accurate presentation of collected facts.
3. To write in the third person.
4. To avoid long winded sentences that make confuse the readers.
5. To add no facts that he/she thinks or assume may have happened.
6. To avoid using obscure and archaic words.
7. To never give his personal point of view.
8. To be unbiased and objective.
9. To avoid digressions.
10. To be brief and concise.
On the other hand, a reporter writing about an issue, a problem or about an area of his interest good also interact with variety of concerned people and make a note of their views, but the the manner in which he prepares his final report may be quite distinct from a news report. Here the reporter has the freedom to start with the brief introduction and can go on to quote from the material he has collected. He may also draw analogies, rely on the events from the past or even form a correlation between cause and effects. After a detail presentation of facts and figures, as the case may be, in the end he can draw his on conclusion. Though it is never wish to either be biased or to generalize, a write may put forth his views in subtle manner without sounding aggressive or whimsical. Such reports may also be written in the form of speeches or articles. Though here the writing need not to be as compact as in a news report, the writer must never the less be conscious of the constraints of space and time, neither of which are ever unlimited.
It may be useful to bear in mind here that writing a speech quite different from any other kind of writing simply because while most writing is put together to be read and study, a speech is written to necessarily be spoken and heard. And hearing lies the essence of speech writing. While writing a speech remember:
1. To open the speech with 'Ladies and Gentlemen.....' or whosoever it is who needs to be address.
2. To start with an interesting and relevant story or anecdote.
3. To keep the style conversational.
4. To avoid long and complicated sentences that may be difficult to memorize and deliver.
5. To occasionally use an interrogative style which keep the audience involve, e.g.., "I wonder if you know that......" or "Are you aware....?"
6. To write in a simple way that is easy to understand, have a natural flows of ideas and be lucid. However, let it not slip into sounding flippant and known-serious- there is a thin line dividing the two.
7. To sound knowledgeable but not overbearing and presumptuous.
8. To do your homework well- the facts that you present must be accurate and authentic.
9. To avoid being repetitive. A short, crisp speech is always more effective than a heavy, lengthy presentation replete with overlapping ideas.
10. To conclude well. You could sum up, emphasize or make an appeal.
Writing a report or an article for a magazine or a journal is going to be a different cup of tea or together. While the material you put on paper may be more or less the same, the manner in which do so will be quite different. Remember:
1. To choose, if you have the option, a topic that is likely to be of common interest to most of your prospective readers.
2. To keep your writing light and breezy. Dull, ponderous compositions tend to put most readers off.
3. To use simple language and commonly used words.
4. To be brief and crisp- it would be a pity if your article were to be rejected for being too lengthy.
5. To be interesting and humors, if possible.
A Sample Report
International Film festive from Nov 21
Mumbai, Oct 27
Over 75 films from 25 countries will be screened at the fifth international Film Festival, to be held here from November 21 to 28.
Being organized by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Images (MAMI), the festival will include a
selection of films produced between 2000 and 2002 from across the globe and those capturing the latest trends to international cinema.
Works of eminent films personalities, who have contributed towards the enrichment of film culture, both Indian and international, will also be screened under the retrospective section, a press note said here today.
The festival will showcase films created by and for Indians living overseas. Special screenings of old outstanding films from all over the world as well as a retrospective of films from one specific country will also feature at the festival.
The highlight of the festival will be "Chauraha", a daily open forum for delegates and the public to interact with film personalities. (PTI)
(Courtesy: The Tribune, 28 October 2002)
During your academic years you may be expected to write reports for your college journal or prepare a brochure containing relevant information. You may also find yourself in situation where you have to write a report focusing on the activities of a particular organization, or record your observations on a given subject giving your suggestions and/or make recommendations for the improvement of a system.
Most reports fall under one of the two kinds, i.e.., informative and analytical.
Points To Remember
A reporter who has to cover an event, which could be anything ranging from a political rally, an accident, a fashion show, a conference, a strike to a communal riot, would necessarily have to meet a reasonable number of people who were either involved in the event or were eyewitness. After detailed questioning and through investigation, he/she would write the report and assuring that all facts are accurate. Some of the points are new reporter must always remember are :
1. To mention the date and place of the event.
2. To make an accurate presentation of collected facts.
3. To write in the third person.
4. To avoid long winded sentences that make confuse the readers.
5. To add no facts that he/she thinks or assume may have happened.
6. To avoid using obscure and archaic words.
7. To never give his personal point of view.
8. To be unbiased and objective.
9. To avoid digressions.
10. To be brief and concise.
On the other hand, a reporter writing about an issue, a problem or about an area of his interest good also interact with variety of concerned people and make a note of their views, but the the manner in which he prepares his final report may be quite distinct from a news report. Here the reporter has the freedom to start with the brief introduction and can go on to quote from the material he has collected. He may also draw analogies, rely on the events from the past or even form a correlation between cause and effects. After a detail presentation of facts and figures, as the case may be, in the end he can draw his on conclusion. Though it is never wish to either be biased or to generalize, a write may put forth his views in subtle manner without sounding aggressive or whimsical. Such reports may also be written in the form of speeches or articles. Though here the writing need not to be as compact as in a news report, the writer must never the less be conscious of the constraints of space and time, neither of which are ever unlimited.
It may be useful to bear in mind here that writing a speech quite different from any other kind of writing simply because while most writing is put together to be read and study, a speech is written to necessarily be spoken and heard. And hearing lies the essence of speech writing. While writing a speech remember:
1. To open the speech with 'Ladies and Gentlemen.....' or whosoever it is who needs to be address.
2. To start with an interesting and relevant story or anecdote.
3. To keep the style conversational.
4. To avoid long and complicated sentences that may be difficult to memorize and deliver.
5. To occasionally use an interrogative style which keep the audience involve, e.g.., "I wonder if you know that......" or "Are you aware....?"
6. To write in a simple way that is easy to understand, have a natural flows of ideas and be lucid. However, let it not slip into sounding flippant and known-serious- there is a thin line dividing the two.
7. To sound knowledgeable but not overbearing and presumptuous.
8. To do your homework well- the facts that you present must be accurate and authentic.
9. To avoid being repetitive. A short, crisp speech is always more effective than a heavy, lengthy presentation replete with overlapping ideas.
10. To conclude well. You could sum up, emphasize or make an appeal.
Writing a report or an article for a magazine or a journal is going to be a different cup of tea or together. While the material you put on paper may be more or less the same, the manner in which do so will be quite different. Remember:
1. To choose, if you have the option, a topic that is likely to be of common interest to most of your prospective readers.
2. To keep your writing light and breezy. Dull, ponderous compositions tend to put most readers off.
3. To use simple language and commonly used words.
4. To be brief and crisp- it would be a pity if your article were to be rejected for being too lengthy.
5. To be interesting and humors, if possible.
A Sample Report
International Film festive from Nov 21
Mumbai, Oct 27
Over 75 films from 25 countries will be screened at the fifth international Film Festival, to be held here from November 21 to 28.
Being organized by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Images (MAMI), the festival will include a
selection of films produced between 2000 and 2002 from across the globe and those capturing the latest trends to international cinema.
Works of eminent films personalities, who have contributed towards the enrichment of film culture, both Indian and international, will also be screened under the retrospective section, a press note said here today.
The festival will showcase films created by and for Indians living overseas. Special screenings of old outstanding films from all over the world as well as a retrospective of films from one specific country will also feature at the festival.
The highlight of the festival will be "Chauraha", a daily open forum for delegates and the public to interact with film personalities. (PTI)
(Courtesy: The Tribune, 28 October 2002)
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