IGCSE Report Writing and Article Writing by Dinzei Maureen
IGCSE REPORT WRITING/ARTICLE WRITING By Dinzei Maureen
A report is a structured piece of writing that presents information about an event, situation, investigation or issue.
Reports are usually written to inform, investigate, record findings or make recommendations.
Examples:
A report on a school trip
A report on bullying in school
A report on an environmental problem
A report on an accident
A report on students' use of the library
Important features of a report
A good report may include:
A clear title
Introduction
Background/context
Findings
Relevant details or evidence
Conclusions
Recommendations, where appropriate
Formal and objective language
What Is an Article?
An article is a piece of writing intended to inform, explain, entertain or persuade a particular audience.
Articles may appear in:
newspapers
magazines
school publications
websites
newsletters
Features of an article
An effective article usually has:
An interesting headline/title
An engaging opening
Clearly developed paragraphs
Appropriate examples
A tone suited to the audience
Varied vocabulary
A strong conclusion
Unlike a formal report, an article can be more engaging and lively.
Newspaper Report
A newspaper report is written for a general public audience.
It normally reports an event that has happened or is happening.
Typical features:
Attention-grabbing headline
Strong opening
Important facts
* Who?
What?
Where?
When?
Why?
How?
Quotes from witnesses or officials
Relevant details
Formal or semi-formal journalistic language
Example headline:
STUDENTS EVACUATED AFTER LABORATORY INCIDENT
Instead of:
Report on an Incident in the Science Laboratory
The first sounds more like a newspaper headline.
Evaluation
You are a student journalist for your school newspaper. Recently, a science laboratory at your school had to be closed after an incident during a practical lesson.
Write a newspaper report for your school newspaper in which you:
describe what happened;
explain the response of students and teachers;
include relevant comments from people involved; and
explain what is being done to prevent a similar incident.
Write between 250 and 350 words.
10. Model Answer
Writing
SCIENCE LABORATORY CLOSED AFTER INCIDENT
Students Evacuated as School Launches Investigation
Students at Greenfield College were evacuated from the science laboratory on Tuesday morning following an incident during a practical chemistry lesson.
The incident occurred shortly after 10:00 a.m. when students reportedly noticed smoke coming from one of the workstations. The teacher immediately instructed the class to leave the laboratory and alerted the school authorities. Other students in nearby classrooms were also moved to a safe area as a precaution.
According to witnesses, the evacuation was completed within a few minutes. “Our teacher told us to remain calm and leave the laboratory immediately,” said Daniel, a Year 11 student who was present during the lesson. “Everyone followed the instructions, although some students were understandably worried.”
The school management contacted the emergency services, and firefighters arrived shortly afterwards. The situation was brought under control, and no student or member of staff was injured. However, the laboratory has been temporarily closed while the cause of the incident is investigated.
The principal said that the school takes the safety of students and staff seriously. An investigation is now being carried out to determine what caused the incident and whether safety procedures were followed correctly.
Meanwhile, the school has announced that all practical science lessons in the affected laboratory will remain suspended until the investigation is completed. The management is also reviewing its laboratory safety procedures and equipment.
Although the incident caused considerable concern, school officials have assured parents that appropriate measures are being taken to prevent a similar occurrence in the future
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