Class VIII: Report Writing Assignment

Report Writing

Ice-breaking Activity:

Read the following report of an incident published in a school magazine and answer the following questions:

HUNGAMA WITNESSED 4500 FOOTFALLS

November 23, 2014

Pune

Our school had organized ‘Hungama’, the school’s annual fun festival, on Saturday, November 22, 2014. Many schools all over the city participated in this event.

Our school organizes ‘Hungama’ every year with different themes. This year, the theme was Eclectica : The Spice of Life’. This time Hungama was bigger and more entertaining. The event featured many fun-filled activities like dance, school choir, and singing, performed in Talent Show. The crowd witnessed ‘Ethnic Dress competition’ followed by Lucky Draw.

‘Hungama’ was a success as witnessed and told by many parents. Mrs. Anupama Sagdeo, the Principal of our School, and Mrs. Meera Nair, the Vice-Principal organized and carried out the event successfully.

1.    What is the passage about?

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2.    When had the event taken place?

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3.    Where had the event taken place?

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4.    What is so special about this event?

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5.    What happened during the events?

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6.    Who were responsible for bringing out the event?

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Analyzing the construction:

Observe the passage carefully and answer the questions given below:

1.    What is given in the first paragraph?

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2.    How is second paragraph different from the third paragraph?

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3.    How have the report been concluded?

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Important aspects of report writing:

The word report is used as a noun and also as a verb. The meaning of the word report (the verb) is to tell someone about something. It is similar to the reported speech that we learnt. To report means to tell someone about something or someone.

The dictionary meaning of the word report is:

As verb:

-        To give a description of something to someone

-        To make a complain to an authority about something or someone

As noun:

-        An account of details of an event, situation which usually are the result of observation, inquiry, etc

-        An announcement

-        An account of speech, debate, etc.

Thus, a report is a detailed account of an event that has an effect on an individual or a society which is outcome of observation or an inquiry. Thus writing a report requires observation and inquiry of the eye witnesses. 

Types of reports:

Report writing is done for different audiences. Depending upon these audiences, there are different types of reports.

-        Report to be published in the newspaper

-        Report to be published in the magazine

Content of report writing:

-        Give a title to the report. Title should be short, in phrase, and not in complete sentence. It should be attractive and catchy. It should be written in bold letters.

Write the name of the person who is writing the report. Also mention his or her post/ designation.

-        Write date and place.

-        In the first paragraph, write in simple sentences, the answers of 4Ws (what, where, when)

-        In the second paragraph, write in simple sentences, the answers of How and Why.

-        In the third paragraph, write down the details given by the eye witness, and conclude the report with the details of further inquiry or programme that was planned after the event.

Construct a report:

Task 1:

Imagine the Independence Day event that has taken place in your school. Complete the following table by filling in the blank columns:

Event name
Place
Day and date
Time
People present
Guests/ special mentioned if any
Eye witness and details
Conclusion

With the help of the details given in the table, and with the help of following points, write a report of the Independent Day celebrated at your school.

Task 2:

Collect two to three reports that are published in the newspaper or a magazine which gives information of an event that has taken place somewhere. Read, observe and analyze, and then comment whether the reports that you have collected follow the format of the report that you have learnt. Take the help of the following questions:

• Is the title written in the same way as taught to you?
• Is the first paragraph written in the same way as taught to you? If not, what is the difference?
• Does the second paragraph follow the same format? If not, what is the difference?
• Does the last paragraph follow the same format? If not, what is the difference?