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Writing: Reports and Exam Tips
Reports
A report is a formal, factual text that presents information, findings, or recommendations. It is addressed to a specific person or group.
Structure:
- Title: "Report on [topic]"
- Introduction: "The aim/purpose of this report is to..."
- Sections with headings: Each section covers a different aspect. Use clear, descriptive headings.
- Conclusión / Recommendations: "Based on the findings, I would recommend that..."
Language features: Formal register, passive voice ("It was observed that..."), impersonal constructions, factual language, hedging ("It seems that...", "It appears that..."), recommendation language ("It is recommended that...", "I would suggest...").
Ejemplo
Model report structure:
Report on Student Satisfaction with School Cafetería
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to present the results of a survey conducted among 200 students regarding their satisfaction with the school cafetería.
Food Quality
The majority of students (65%) rated the food quality as "satisfactory." However, several respondents complained about the lack of healthy options...
Recommendations
Based on the findings, I would recommend introducing more vegetarían and healthy options...
Essential exam writing tips
- Plan before you write: Spend 3-5 minutes brainstorming and organising your ideas.
- Count your words: Stay within the word limit (150-180). Too short or too long will be penalised.
- Use paragraphs: Each paragraph = one main idea. Indent or leave a line between paragraphs.
- Use connectors: They make your text coherent and show a range of language.
- Vary your vocabulary: Avoid repeating the same words. Use synonyms and paraphrasing.
- Vary your grammar: Use a range of structures (conditionals, passive, relative clauses, modals).
- Check your work: Leave 3-5 minutes to proofread for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
- Match the register: Formal for essays, letters, and reports. Informal only for personal emails/letters.
Common writing mistakes to avoid
- Starting every sentence with "I think..."
- Using "etc." (too vague; give specific examples instead)
- Translating directly from Spanish (false friends: "actually" means "en realidad", not "actualmente")
- Forgetting the -s in third person singular present
- Confusing "its" (possessive) and "it's" (it is)
- Misusing articles: "the" for specific, "a/an" for general first mention, no article for general plurals/uncountables
Recuerda
Common false friends for Spanish speakers: actually (en realidad, no "actualmente"), sensible (sensato, no "sensible"), eventually (finalmente, no "eventualmente"), fabric (tela, no "fabrica"), library (biblioteca, no "librería"), resume (reanudar, no "resumir"), sympathetic (compasivo, no "simpático").
Ejercicios
1. Write a report (150-180 words) on the advantages and disadvantages of your school for a group of visiting students. Include sections on: facilities, teaching quality, and social activities.
2. Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences:
a) I am agree with this opinión.
b) The people thinks that social media is bad.
c) Actually, I am studying for my exams. (If meaning "actualmente")
d) In the one hand, it is good. In the other hand, it is bad.
e) She said me that she was tired.
Test de autoevaluación
1. A formal letter to an unknown person ends with:
a) Yours sincerely
b) Yours faithfully
c) Best regards
d) See you soon
2. In a for-and-against essay, your opinión goes in:
a) The introduction
b) Every paragraph
c) The conclusión (if required)
d) The title
3. "Actually" in English means:
a) Actualmente
b) En realidad
c) De hecho (at this moment)
d) Casi
4. Report language typically uses:
a) Contractions and slang
b) Passive voice and formal register
c) First person and opinions
d) Exclamation marks
5. The recommended planning time before writing is:
a) 0 minutes
b) 3-5 minutes
c) 15 minutes
d) Half the exam time