What is a report?

During your academic study, you may be asked to write a report. Like an essay, a report is a formal piece of written work, however, reports and essays have very different requirements. Understanding these requirements and the differences between them will help you know how to construct your assignment. 

Look at the graphic below to identify the differences between a report and an essay. 

Reports are a structured piece of writing designed to be read quickly and easily. Information is provided in headed sections of writing, enabling the reader to easily find the information they want. Look at the graphic below to see the differences in layout between a report and an essay.

So, what are the key features of report? Reports involve: 

• A description, analysis and interpretation of a sequence of events or a situation.
• An evaluation of the facts or results of your project. 
• A recommendation for change and/or future action. 

The content of a report can vary depending on your subject of study and the criteria of the assignment. In the next section of this module, we’ll look at the purpose of your report and who its being presented to.