report text

Report Text

Descriptive Report (text structure)

Introduction

Write a general statement

It should give an outline of the aspects of the topic that you will

write about in the report

Body Description

Aspect 1

describe one aspect of your topic

each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence

Aspect 2

describe one aspect of your topic

each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence

Aspect 3 and so on

describe one aspect of your topic

each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence

Conclusion

This final paragraph sums up your topic.

A report presents information about a subject

Text Structure

Opening Statement

Lead in sentence to state the topic and capture interest

May include a short description of the subject

May include definition

May include classification or categorization of types

Paragraphs

Each paragraph is about a different aspect of the subject

Begins with the topic or a preview sentence

Focus is on facts not opinion

Conclusion

Summarizes the information presented

Does not include any new information

Language features (grammar)

Using general nouns (elephants, snakes, etc) technical terms

Formal and impersonal language (avoiding first and second pronun like I, you, instead using third pronoun like it, they)

Uses timeless, present tense. Eg: Adelaide is popular with international students

Many “being” and “having” verbs

Example of report text:

Goannas

Australia is home to 25 of the world’s 30 monitor lizard species. In Australia, monitor lizards are called goannas.

Goannas have flattish bodies, long tails and strong jaws. They are the only lizards with forked tongues, like a snake. Their necks are long and may have loose folds of skin beneath them. Their legs are long and strong, with sharp claws on their feet. Many goannas have stripes, spots and other markings that help to camouflage them. The largest species can grow to more than two meters in length.

All goannas are daytime hunters. They run, climb and swim well. Goannas hunt small mammals, birds and other reptiles. They also eat dead animals. Smaller goannas eat insects, spiders and worms.

Male goannas fight with each other in the breeding season. Females lay between two and twelve eggs.