REPORT WRITING – TWO TYPES

1. School Magazine reports

2. Newspaper reports

SCHOOL MAGAZINE REPORT FORMAT (120-150 words – 5 MARKS)

Headline

By line

Intro – what, when, where

Body para 1 – describe the event in detail

Body para 2 - interviews, comments of participants/audience

Conclusion – critical comments/overview by the reporter

Sample Report

You are Asha/Ashwin , the Secretary of The Green Fingers Environment Club of Green Valley School, Nagpur. Write a
report for the school magazine on the World Environment day celebrated by the club in the school.

World Environment Day 2023

Asha Khanna

The Green Fingers Environment Club of Green Valley School celebrated World Environment Day on 5 June 2023 with
great enthusiasm.

Like every year this year too, the day was marked by a wide range of activities. All the events were based on the theme,
‘Beat Plastic Pollution’. Environmental activist Pradeep Kishan was the chief guest of the inaugural event. In his address,
Mr Kishan spoke about every student being an environmental activist and cited the example of Greta Thunberg. He
urged everyone to reject single use plastic items.

A play titled, ‘Beat the Plastic’ was staged by the Junior Section while the school media team presented a documentary
on garbage patches in oceans. Everyone found the documentary very educational. On the whole, the students were very
excited to be part of the events,” I feel like I am part of a worldwide movement to save the world’, said Riya, the Head
Girl. The teachers were very impressed by the programmes planned by the club.

The World Environment Day Observation is the biggest event hosted by the Green Fingers every year. This year too it
created a huge impact with its unique events and active participation of the students.
NEWSPAPER REPORTS

A newspaper report is usually about events or accidents/calamities. Include the following details:

 What happened when and where?

 How did it happen? People/vehicles involved
 Details of casualties if any – dead/injured/hospitalized
 Rescue and relief operations
 Enquiry or investigations
 Compensation to victims or relatives
 Eye witness accounts
 Comments by the reporter

NEWSPAPER REPORT FORMAT

Headline

Byline, designation

Place, date

Introduction – what, when, where

Body Paragraph 1 – describe the event/accident/calamity; rescue/relief

Body Paragraph 2 – eye witness accounts, comments, compensation

Conclusion – critical comments by the reporter

Sample Newspaper Report

You are Alex/Alexa. You are the staff reporter of The Times of India. You’ve been asked to report a train accident.
Write the report in about 150 to 200 words.

23 Killed in Train Tragedy

Alexa Gates
Staff Reporter
Delhi, 26 May 2019
At least 23 people were killed and more than 120 injured in a train accident in Delhi on Saturday. Eight carriages of the Haridwar
bound train derailed at roughly 5.45 pm on the outskirts of Delhi.

According to initial reports, the driver slammed the brakes after spotting maintenance work on the track that was not properly
signaled. Rescuers and local people worked into the night searching for survivors in the overturned and mangled carriages. NDRF
teams have been rushed to the spot and authorities have set up a control room to assist the affected people and their families.

The NDRF Chief said that the death toll could rise. The rescue operation was affected by intermittent rain and lack of rescue
materials. “We are struggling to pull out the injured and are waiting for the gas cutters to arrive” he said. The railway minister has
promised a compensation of Rs. 1 lakh to the families of those killed and Rs. 50000 to the injured.

This is the fourth train accident in the region this year. It is evident that poor investment in infrastructure is affecting the efficiency
of the railway system. It is high time the ministry focused on overhauling defective signaling systems and tracks.
Helpful structures, words and sentences you can use in different kinds of news reports…

Headlines - Examples
 "Flood Worsens in Bihar and Haryana. More than 78 Missing."
 Samsung Unveils its 5G Phones: Hopes to Beat 3G and 4G.
 In most cases, give a simple present headline even if the event is past.
 You don't have to be specific about the number. More than, less than, around, etc. can be used.

Content – Starting…example
 "Three men and a woman were crushed to death as a speeding school bus lost control and ran into a bus waiting
shelter at Karol Bagh, yesterday, leaving a dozen people injured..."

Content – Main…example
 Police circles said that the blast was caused by electric short circuit...
 According to reliable sources, Sam, a resident of Merlin street, was the first man who entered the main gate of the
city...

 Keep it Objective. You are completely impartial. Don't use "I" and "me" unless you are quoting someone.
 Quote People
 For example: "We're really excited about this competition," said coach Venkat, "It's the highest target we've ever
set ourselves".
 Keep your sentences and paragraphs short. Don't use lots of heavily descriptive language.

PRACTICE TASKS

1. You are a special correspondent to ‘Deccan Herald’, Bangalore. You have been asked to report a car accident
that took place in an overcrowded residential area. Write a report in 150-200 words. You are Amrit/Amrita.

2. Your school organized a Blood Donation Camp recently. Write a report in 150-200 words on this programme, for
your school magazine. You are Mahima/Mahesh, Cultural Secretary of Vasant Vihar Public School, Pune. Invent
all the necessary details.