The report
Present findings and recommend action
Layout
Do’s and don’ts
Do
- Present and analyse facts; save your own view for the recommendations
- Be neutral and keep to the point
- Use the passive voice where appropriate
- Include specific data when referencing surveys/statistics – you may invent realistic figures
- End with clear recommendations or suggestions
- Make the layout clear: headings and short sections
- Use a range of linking words
Don’t
- Don't give personal opinions in the main body
- Don't repeat information across sections
- Don't write anything that isn't relevant
- Don't forget the Date / From / Subject header
- Don't forget section headings
- Don't use emotional or informal language
Weaker
“I really think the school canteen is terrible and nobody likes it.”
Stronger
“Key findings: 68 per cent of the 120 students surveyed rated the canteen food as poor or very poor.”
Why it matters: A report stays factual and presents its evidence under meaningful headings. Personal outbursts cost you marks because the register is wrong.
Practise this text type
Pick a task, write it, then let the self-check look at your draft. The task bank has 4 report tasks.
The student council surveyed students about the school canteen. The principal has asked you to write up the results.
- 58% buy lunch in the canteen at least three times a week
- Food quality rated "poor" or "very poor" by 44%
- 71% say healthy options sell out before the lunch break
- Average waiting time: 14 minutes (the lunch break is 25)
- 63% would pay up to €1 more for better quality
Write a report (around 250 words) for the principal based on these results.
- present the main findings of the survey
- analyse the impact on student health and concentration
- recommend improvements
Your school wants to review how students use technology and has collected questionnaire data.
- 92% use a laptop or tablet for schoolwork every day
- 47% say lessons rarely make use of digital materials
- Most common uses: research (78%), vocabulary apps (54%), AI tools (49%)
- 38% admit devices often distract them in class
- Only 25% have ever been trained in checking online sources
Write a report (around 400 words) for the school management team based on these results.
- present current usage patterns
- analyse benefits and problems the data shows
- recommend guidelines for future use
Your town council asked young residents about local sports facilities. You volunteered to summarise the answers.
- 66% use local sports facilities at least once a week
- The skate park was rated "in poor condition" by 7 out of 10 users
- Only 2 of the 6 outdoor pitches have working floodlights
- 81% would use the sports hall more if there were evening slots
Write a report (around 250 words) for the town council based on these results.
- present what young people think of the existing facilities
- identify the main problems the data shows
- suggest two realistic improvements