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Report

Report

Definition:

A written document describing and summarizing the findings of an individual or group. The report ranges from formal to informal, and usually is a summary of one or a series of incidents, conversations, studies, interpretations, observations, results of inquiry, research, etc.

Purposes:

• To record research, decisions and/or events
• To record progress on a task
• To inform or persuade an audience with factual material
• To persuade

Characteristics:

• Many forms: newspaper and magazine articles, research reports, biographies, travel books, consumer reports, meeting minutes, diaries, and journals
• Teacher-selected topic
• Requires: prioritizing, summarizing, generalizing, paraphrasing, sequencing
• Conventional framework: introduction, terms of reference, background information, facts, opinions, conclusions, recommendations, summary and bibliography
• Introductory statement provides the purpose or subject
• Statement(s) regarding how information was gathered
• Topical or chronological development
• Indirect speech
• Quotes
• Asterisks
• Bullets
• Numbering
• Marginal entries
• Summary: can be provided at the beginning (an abstract) or at the end (conclusion)
• Accurate citations and references, including footnotes, endnotes
• Main/central idea and supporting details
• Organized with title, headings, subheadings, and table of contents
• Summary of most important information

Grade Level Instructional Scope for COMPOSING the Genre and Text of Reports:

Booklists:

• Grade 3

Access to the Documents:

Complete K-8 Genre Project
From the Michigan Department of Education

Complete K-8 Genre Booklist
From Kent Intermediate School District