Report

Hints:

• Decide on your target reader - it will help you to choose the appropriate register.
• Use rather formal language.
• The distinguishing feature of any report is its layout. Reports are rather stiff - you may need to start as if you were making a memo. Do not panic! It is OK with this form to begin simply with:
  
  

  1. To:
  2. From:
  3. Date:
  4. Subject:

  
  The body of your report has to be clearly divided into sections:
  
  
  • Introduction
    
    Make your introduction brief but clear. State the purpose of your report. Again, try to imagine that you are the only one who knows what is going on. Assume that everybody else needs explanation why you are writing this report. Repeat the question from the task but try to reword it.
    
    You may start like this:
    
    

    The aim/purpose of this report is to

    show exemplify illustrate depict

    
    

    This report

    is concerned with... is intended to... is written to analyse... deals with... relates to...

  • points in which you present your opinion
    
    You may use separate headings for advantages and disadvantages and describe them in two paragraphs or just present them in a list of points.
    
    

    The advantages/ disadvantages are as follow...
    The most convincing arguments in favour of ... are ...
    I would mention...as the most discouraging feature of...
    Here is the list of benefits...

    
    
    
  • evaluation/recommendation (if it is required by the question)
    
    

    I would recommend...because...
    I would not hesitate to recommend...
    I would suggest...
    In my opinion, it would be worth... +ing

    
    
    
  • conclusion/summary
    
    It is a good idea to repeat here why you are writing. It will show that you keep in mind the purpose of this report.
    
    

    In conclusion I would like to stress that...
    In my opinion...
    It is a fact that...
    It appears to/ seems to/ tends to
    There is no doubt that...
    Given this, it can be concluded that...
    Having proved/presented this, I would like to...

Sample answer:


Q: A group of American students is going to participate in a workshop organised by your school. They have never been in your town before so their tutor, Mr. Franklin, has asked you to write a report about places that are worth visiting in the area. Write a report describing the places and explain why you think they may be of any interest to the group.

To: Mr. Franklin
From: Francesca Wilson
Date: 12 November 20...
Subject: Places to visit during your stay in XX

Introduction:
This report is written to analyse places of interest that may be worth visiting by your group. I have called the tourist information office to check admission fees and opening hours that would be suitable for you.

Places to visit in XX
There are many places in the area which are worth recommending but unfortunately some of them are open to public only in summer peak season. However, there are two attractions that may be taken into consideration as they seem suitable for you:

1. The Dungeon is a very popular tourist attraction in XX. It is a former(overkill, drop it) jail tower from the 17th century. Today you can visit the prisoners' cells and see there a great collection of arms from previous centuries.

2. The Labyrinth is the place where you can have a lot fun. There is a number of dead-end corridors and some leading to the exit. You are supposed to find the way out in a given time. The place is open on weekends and there are big discounts for groups.

Conclusion:
I would not hesitate to recommend both of these places to your group. These attractions are well-known and popular among foreign visitors.


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