Study Notes
A formal report is a brief account of an event or incident that has already taken place, recording important events first hand. It is strictly formal in style and language, using past tense and third-person point of view.
- Formal Report — a document that records important events or incidents observed or investigated. Example: Reports on a match, accident, blood donation, environmental hazard.
- Structure of a Formal Report — includes a title, writer's name, date, introduction, body, and conclusion. Example: A report on a school sports event with a catchy title, introduction explaining the purpose, body detailing the event, and a conclusion summarizing the findings.
Exam Tips
Key Definitions to Remember
- Formal report: A brief account of an event or incident that has already taken place.
- Structure of a formal report: Title, writer's name, date, introduction, body, and conclusion.
Common Confusions
- Using first-person point of view instead of third-person.
- Including irrelevant details instead of focusing on accurate facts.
Typical Exam Questions
- Write a formal report on your school sports event which took place recently? Answer: Include a catchy title, introduction, body with details, and conclusion.
- You just witnessed an accident. Write a report based on it to submit to the police? Answer: Use past tense, third-person, and include quotes from witnesses.
- A thief broke into your house. Write a report to the police informing them about it? Answer: Provide accurate facts and details, avoiding irrelevant information.
What Examiners Usually Test
- Ability to write in a formal style using past tense and third-person.
- Inclusion of accurate facts and relevant details in the report.