assignment vs report

Search suggestions update instantly to match the search query.

Reports and essays: key differences

Know what to expect

Explore the main differences between reports and essays and how to write for your assignments

You'll complete assignments with different requirements throughout your degree, so it's important to understand what you need to do for each of them. Here we explore the key differences between reports and essays. 

This page describes general features of academic reports and essays. Depending on your subject you may use all of these features, a selection of them, or you may have additional requirements. 

There is no single right way to write a report or essay, but they are different assignments. At a glance: 

• Reports depend heavily on your subject and the type of report.
• Essays usually have specific content and a planned structure with a focus on sense and flow. You subject might need different types of information in your introduction –  some disciplines include a short background and context here, while others begin their discussion, discuss their resources or briefly signpost the topic.

Differences between reports and essays

This table compares reports and essays and provides an outline of the standard structure for each. Your assignment will also depend on your discipline, the purpose of your work, and your audience – so you should check what you need to do in your course and module handbooks, instructions from your lecturer, and your subject conventions.

Table adapted from Cottrell, 2003, p. 209.

The structure of reports

Most reports use an IMRaD structure: Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion.

Below are some common sections that also appear in reports. Some sections include alternative headings.

1. Table of contents

Your contents shows the number of each report section, its title, page number and any sub-sections. Sub-section numbers and details start under the section title, not the margin or the number.

2. Abstract or Executive summary

This brief summary of the report is usually the last thing you write.

3. Introduction

Your introduction describes the purpose of the report, explains why it necessary or useful, and sets out its precise aims and objectives.

4. Literature review

This describes current research and thinking about the problem or research question, and is often incorporated into the introduction.

5. Methods or Methodology

This describes and justifies the methods or processes used to collect your data.

6. Results or Findings

This section presents the results (or processed data) from the research and may consist of mainly tables, charts and or diagrams.

7. Discussion, or Analysis, or Interpretation

This section analyses the results and evaluates the research carried out.

8. Conclusion

The conclusion summarises the report and usually revisits the aims and objectives.

9. Recommendations

In this section the writer uses the results and conclusions from the report to make practical suggestions about a problem or issue. This may not be required.

10. Appendices

You can include raw data or materials that your report refers to in the appendix, if you need to. The data is often presented as charts, diagrams and tables. Each item should be numbered : for example, write Table 1 and its title; Table 2 and its title, and so on as needed.

Structure of essays

Introduction.

Your essay introduction contextualises and gives background information about the topic or questions being discussed, and sets out what the essay is going to cover.

Your essay body is divided into paragraphs. These paragraphs help make a continuous, flowing text.

The conclusion summarises the main points made in the essay. Avoid introducing new information in your conclusion.

Bibliography or Reference list

This is a list of the resources you've used in your essay. This is usually presented alphabetically by authors’ surname.

Reference for the Table of Distinctions above: 

Cottrell, S. (2003).  The Study Skills Handbook  (2nd ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Download our report and essay differences revision sheet

Download this page as a PDF for your report and essay revision notes.

Key features of academic reports

Basic essay structure

Writing clear sentences

• +44 (0) 207 391 9032

Recent Posts

• Abstract vs. Introduction: What’s the Difference?
• How Do AI detectors Work? Breaking Down the Algorithm
• What is a Literature Review? Definition, Types, and Examples
• Why Is Your CV Getting Rejected and How to Avoid It
• Where to Find Images for Presentations
• What Is an Internship? Everything You Should Know

How Long Should a Thesis Statement Be?

• How to Write a Character Analysis Essay
• Best Colours for Your PowerPoint Presentation: Top Colour Combinations
• How to Write a Nursing Essay – With Examples
• Academic News
• Custom Essays
• Dissertation Writing
• Essay Marking
• Essay Writing
• Essay Writing Companies
• Model Essays
• Model Exam Answers
• Oxbridge Essays Updates
• PhD Writing
• Significant Academics
• Student News
• Study Skills
• University Applications
• University Essays
• University Life
• Writing Tips

Essay vs Report: What Are the Key Differences?

(Last updated: 5 April 2024)

Since 2006, Oxbridge Essays has been the UK’s leading paid essay-writing and dissertation service

We have helped 10,000s of undergraduate, Masters and PhD students to maximise their grades in essays, dissertations, model-exam answers, applications and other materials. If you would like a free chat about your project with one of our UK staff, then please just reach out on one of the methods below.

Reports and essays serve as fundamental forms of scholarly communication, each with its distinct purpose, structure, and style. While both convey information and analysis, they vary in their objectives, audience, and presentation. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the different nuances between reports and essays, unpacking their key characteristics and offering insights into when and how to utilise each form effectively.

Reports: Capturing Data and Analysis

Reports are structured documents designed to convey factual information, findings, and analysis on a specific topic or issue. They are commonly used in academic, professional, and scientific contexts to present research outcomes, project evaluations, or business insights. Key features of reports include:

• Objective Presentation : Reports aim to provide an objective overview of data, observations, and analysis without personal interpretation or opinion.
• Structured Format : Reports typically follow a structured format, including sections such as introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusions.
• Visual Aids : Reports often incorporate tables, charts, graphs, and other visual aids to enhance the presentation of data and facilitate understanding.
• Audience Focus : Reports are usually intended for a specific audience, such as academic peers, business stakeholders, or policymakers, who require concise and actionable information.

Essays: Exploring Ideas and Arguments

Essays, on the other hand, are scholarly compositions that explore and analyse ideas, arguments, and theories within a particular subject area. They provide opportunities for critical thinking, reflection, and interpretation of course material or research findings. Key features of essays include:

• Thesis-driven Structure : Essays typically present a central thesis or argument, supported by evidence, analysis, and interpretation.
• Logical Progression : Essays follow a logical progression of ideas, with clear transitions between paragraphs and sections to guide the reader through the argument.
• Engagement with Sources : Essays engage with a range of scholarly sources, including academic articles, books, and primary documents, to support the argument and provide context.
• Critical Analysis : Essays encourage critical analysis and evaluation of ideas, theories, and evidence, often requiring students to synthesise information and draw their conclusions.

Key Differences: Report vs Essay

While both reports and essays involve research, analysis, and communication of ideas, there are key differences in their purpose, structure, and approach:

Purpose : Reports aim to present factual information and analysis to inform decision-making, while essays explore ideas, theories, and arguments to provoke thought and discussion.

Structure : Reports follow a structured format with clear sections, while essays offer more flexibility in organisation and presentation.

Language and Style : Reports use formal, concise language and avoid personal opinions, while essays may incorporate personal voice, reflections, and interpretations.

Audience : Reports are often written for a specific audience, such as stakeholders or decision-makers, while essays are typically written for academic audiences or peers.

Choosing the Right Format

The choice between a report and an essay depends on the nature of the assignment, the requirements of the task, and the expectations of the audience. Consider the following factors when determining which format to use:

Purpose : Clarify the purpose of the document—is it to present factual information (report) or to explore and analyse ideas (essay)?

Audience : Consider the intended audience and their expectations regarding format, style, and depth of analysis.

Scope and Depth : Assess the scope and depth of the topic—are you presenting data and findings (report) or engaging in critical analysis and interpretation (essay)?

Instructions : Review the assignment instructions carefully to determine whether a specific format is required and to understand the evaluation criteria.

Leveraging the Power of Structure and Style

Reports and essays are valuable tools for scholarly communication, each offering unique opportunities for knowledge dissemination and intellectual exploration. By understanding the differences between reports and essays and knowing when to employ each format, students and researchers can effectively convey information, analyse ideas, and engage with academic discourse. Whether crafting a data-driven report or crafting a compelling essay, mastering the nuances of structure and style is essential for academic success.

Essay exams: how to answer ‘To what extent…’

How to write a master’s essay, writing services.

• Essay Plans
• Critical Reviews
• Literature Reviews
• Presentations
• Dissertation Title Creation
• Dissertation Proposals
• Dissertation Chapters
• PhD Proposals
• Journal Publication
• CV Writing Service
• Business Proofreading Services

Editing Services

• Proofreading Service
• Editing Service
• Academic Editing Service

Additional Services

• Marking Services
• Consultation Calls
• Personal Statements
• Tutoring Services

Our Company

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Become a Writer

Terms & Policies

• Fair Use Policy
• Policy for Students in England
• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Editing Service Examples
• [email protected]
• Contact Form

Payment Methods

Cryptocurrency payments.

• How it works

What is the Difference Between Essays and Reports?

Published by Alaxendra Bets at August 19th, 2021 , Revised On August 23, 2023

What is the difference between essays and reports? Report writing is a specialised skill that your academic tutor would like you to develop.

Whether you are writing a report in university or business, report writing skills are equally important to get your message across to the readers effectively.

Generally, your academic tutor decides what form of writing you must undertake and will provide the layout requirements in the assignment brief.

However, as you move towards university-level study, you will have the freedom of choice to decide what form of writing you must undertake to address the problem question .

This means that you will need a critical evaluation of what form of writing will be the most appropriate for you, considering a given academic assignment’s requirements.

Whether you are a student or a professional, it is important to understand the key differences between an  essay and a report to work out why you should prefer one form of writing over the other.

This article lists the most notable differences between a report and an essay, so whenever you are unsure about which form of writing is the most suitable, you will know exactly what decision is right or wrong.

Difference Between Essays and Reports – Purpose

Purpose of a report.

Typically you will be  asked to write a report  if you must present an  analysis of practical research results. All reports start with the topic background, research aim, and objectives to provide details of what your work will examine.

You may also include a  hypothesis  in your report if you are testing a proposition with your research. Depending on your topic’s nature and the report writing guidelines laid out by your tutor, you may also have to include a separate section for future recommendations in your report.

Purpose of an Essay

On the other hand, Essays find answers to a question using the researcher’s own critical evaluation of the existing theories. An essay does not directly include any practical research because it only uses the existing literature material.

Difference Between Essays and Reports – Content

The report starts with introducing the topic and lists the aim and objectives your practical research will address.

It quickly moves to report chronological actions such as gathering data and presenting findings from primary research activities and laboratory experiments before the writer finally provides an assessment of the results in the conclusion  and recommendations for future sections.

The  content of an essay  depends on the  essay question  you need to answer. Whether your essay must be evaluative,  argumentative ,  narrative , discursive, or descriptive  will be determined by the nature of your essay question.

However, in general, all essays involve a synthesis of knowledge obtained from existing literature on the given question and the writer’s personal arguments and opinions based on the evidence collected during research.

Whether you have been asked to write an essay or a report, ResearchProspect writers can help you achieve the highest academic grade. We have a large team of academic writers who can meet every bit of your requirements regardless of your academic level and the academic subject.

Difference Between Essays and Reports – Formatting

A report and an essay format are similar as both include an  introduction ,  main body , and  conclusion sections. Reports include methodology and analysis in the main body and have a fixed structure.

It is recommended to check your school’s formatting guidelines if you are unsure how to format your report. Further, you can get our professional report writing service that will help you achieve your desired grades.

If you are writing an essay, the essay question’s critical evaluation will determine the  structure you must follow in your essay.

Stuck on a report writing assignment? We can help!

Our report writing service Features:

• Expert UK Writers
• Plagiarism-free
• Timely Delivery
• Thorough Research
• Rigorous Quality Control

Difference Between Essays and Reports in a Table

Despite describing these differences, it may not be easy to distinguish between an essay and a report. For example , in some academic disciplines, essays are structured like reports, with headings separating the different parts of an essay. The best practice regarding the style and format suitable to your academic discipline would be to consult your academic tutor.

Learn More About Our Essay Services Order Now

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you differentiate between an essay or a report.

An essay is a concise piece of writing that presents an argument, opinion, or analysis with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. A report is a structured document that conveys information, often including data, findings, and recommendations, typically with headings, sections, and sometimes visual aids.

You May Also Like

In this article, we are sharing multiple patterns of template for essays along with some useful tips to make the structure of your essay strong and clear.

A good essay introduction will set the tone for succeeding parts. Unsure about how to write an essay introduction? This guide will help you to get going.

Not sure about how to organize an essay? This article is designed to provide a brief yet compact view to master the skill of organization of essay.

USEFUL LINKS

LEARNING RESOURCES

COMPANY DETAILS

• How It Works

Essay vs Report: Choosing the Right One To Use

A comparison between essays and reports reveals the distinct characteristics of each form of writing. Essays and reports are both common assignments in academic settings, but they serve different purposes and have unique structures. Understanding the differences between these two types of writing is essential for students to excel in their academic endeavors.

In simple terms, an essay is a piece of writing that presents and defends a writer’s point of view on a particular topic. On the other hand, a report is a structured document that provides information about a specific issue, often including data and analysis. While essays are more subjective and focus on the writer’s opinions and arguments, reports are more objective and rely on facts and evidence.

Throughout this article, we will explore the key distinctions between essays and reports, including their purposes, structures, and writing styles. By gaining a deeper understanding of these differences, readers will be better equipped to approach their writing assignments with clarity and confidence.

The Definitions

Define Essay:

An essay is a written composition that presents and defends a particular viewpoint, argument, or interpretation. It is typically shorter in length than a report and focuses on a specific topic or idea. Essays are often used in academic settings to demonstrate critical thinking skills, analysis, and research abilities.

Define Report:

A report is a formal document that provides information about a specific topic, issue, or event. Reports are typically longer and more detailed than essays and are often used in professional or business settings to communicate findings, recommendations, or data analysis. Reports may include tables, charts, and graphs to support the information presented.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Understanding the distinction between the terms “essay” and “report” is crucial for effective communication. Let’s delve into how to properly use these words in a sentence.

How To Use Essay In A Sentence

An essay is a piece of writing that presents a writer’s perspective on a particular topic. When using the word “essay” in a sentence, it is important to consider the context in which it is being used. Here are some examples:

• She spent hours crafting an insightful essay on the impact of technology on society.
• The student’s essay on climate change was well-researched and thought-provoking.
• His essay eloquently argued for the importance of education in shaping future generations.

How To Use Report In A Sentence

A report, on the other hand, is a detailed account of an event, situation, or investigation. When incorporating the word “report” into a sentence, it is essential to convey the purpose and content of the report accurately. Consider the following examples:

• The investigative journalist published a groundbreaking report on government corruption.
• The annual financial report highlighted the company’s performance over the past year.
• She submitted a comprehensive report outlining the findings of her research project.

More Examples Of Essay & Report Used In Sentences

Brief Section Introduction: Explore how the terms “essay” and “report” are used in various contexts through examples in sentences.

Examples Of Using Essay In A Sentence

• She spent hours meticulously crafting her essay on the impact of climate change.
• The professor assigned a challenging essay on the history of ancient civilizations.
• His essay eloquently argued for the importance of art education in schools.
• The student’s essay showcased a deep understanding of the novel’s themes.
• Writing an essay requires critical thinking and effective communication skills.

Examples Of Using Report In A Sentence

• The scientist presented a detailed report on the results of her research study.
• After investigating the issue, she submitted a comprehensive report to her supervisor.
• The annual report highlighted the company’s financial performance over the past year.
• The journalist wrote a gripping report on the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
• His report outlined the steps needed to improve efficiency in the workplace.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to academic writing, it is crucial to understand the distinction between an essay and a report. Unfortunately, many individuals often use these terms interchangeably, leading to confusion and inaccuracies in their work. Below are some common mistakes to avoid when differentiating between an essay and a report:

1. Lack Of Structure

One of the most common mistakes is the lack of understanding of the structural differences between an essay and a report. An essay typically follows a more fluid structure, with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. On the other hand, a report is more structured and often includes sections such as an executive summary, introduction, methodology, results, and conclusion. Failing to adhere to the appropriate structure can lead to a disorganized and unclear piece of writing.

2. Failure To Address The Purpose

Another mistake is the failure to address the specific purpose of the writing. An essay is typically more subjective and aims to express the author’s opinion or argument on a particular topic. In contrast, a report is more objective and focuses on presenting factual information or findings. Mixing up the purposes of an essay and a report can result in a lack of clarity and coherence in the writing.

3. Inappropriate Tone And Style

Using an inappropriate tone and style is another common mistake when differentiating between an essay and a report. An essay allows for a more creative and expressive tone, while a report requires a more formal and objective tone. Failing to match the tone and style to the type of writing can affect the credibility and effectiveness of the piece.

4. Neglecting Citations And References

Citations and references are essential components of both essays and reports, but they are often neglected or misused. In an essay, proper citations are crucial to support the author’s arguments and provide credibility to the work. In a report, accurate references are necessary to acknowledge sources and maintain the integrity of the information presented. Failing to include citations and references can result in accusations of plagiarism or lack of academic rigor.

By avoiding these common mistakes and understanding the distinctions between an essay and a report, writers can produce more accurate and effective academic writing.

Context Matters

When deciding between writing an essay or a report, it is crucial to consider the context in which these types of documents will be used. The choice between an essay and a report can significantly depend on the purpose, audience, and expectations of the reader.

Examples Of Different Contexts

1. Academic Setting:

In an academic setting, the choice between an essay and a report can vary based on the assignment requirements. For example, if a student is asked to analyze a specific topic in depth and present their arguments and findings, an essay might be more suitable. On the other hand, if the assignment requires the student to investigate a topic and provide a detailed overview of the research, a report would be more appropriate.

2. Business Environment:

When writing for a business audience, the choice between an essay and a report can be influenced by the purpose of the document. For instance, if a company needs to present a detailed analysis of market trends and make recommendations for future strategies, a report would be the preferred format. However, if the goal is to persuade stakeholders or clients with a persuasive argument, an essay might be more effective.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the guidelines for distinguishing between an essay and a report are generally clear-cut, there are a few exceptions where the traditional rules may not apply. In these cases, it is important to understand the context and purpose of the writing to determine the appropriate classification.

1. Creative Writing Assignments

One key exception to the essay vs report debate is in the realm of creative writing assignments. In this scenario, the focus is on expressing ideas and emotions in a unique and artistic way, rather than presenting factual information or analysis. While essays typically follow a structured format with clear arguments and evidence, creative writing pieces may blur the lines between the two categories.

For example, a personal narrative that tells a story from the author’s perspective may contain elements of both an essay and a report. The writer may incorporate descriptive language and expressive techniques to engage the reader, while also conveying a message or theme.

2. Hybrid Assignments

Another exception arises with hybrid assignments that combine elements of both essays and reports. These assignments may require students to analyze a topic, present arguments, and provide evidence, while also incorporating personal reflections or creative elements.

For instance, a research paper that includes a reflective component where the author discusses their personal experiences or insights related to the topic blurs the lines between a traditional essay and a report. In this case, the assignment may not neatly fit into either category, making it an exception to the standard rules.

3. Multimedia Presentations

In today’s digital age, multimedia presentations have become increasingly popular as a means of conveying information and ideas. These presentations often combine visual elements, audio clips, and interactive features to engage the audience and enhance the overall message.

While multimedia presentations may contain elements of both essays and reports, they represent a unique exception to the traditional rules. The incorporation of multimedia elements allows for a more dynamic and interactive presentation of information, blurring the lines between written and visual communication.

After delving into the distinctions between essays and reports, it is evident that each serves a unique purpose in academic and professional settings. Essays are typically more subjective and creative, aiming to persuade or inform the reader on a specific topic. On the other hand, reports are more objective and factual, focusing on presenting data and analysis in a structured format.

Understanding the differences between essays and reports is crucial for students and professionals alike, as it influences the way information is presented and the intended audience. While essays allow for more personal expression and creativity, reports require a systematic approach and adherence to specific guidelines. By recognizing the distinct characteristics of each, individuals can effectively communicate their ideas and findings in the most appropriate format.

R.J. is the new owner of GrammarBeast.com. Having worked in bookstores, libraries, and more, his passion for grammar and writing are pivotal. As a ghostwriter for books that have sold tens of thousands of copies, he wants to help others find the right words and understand the differences.

Numerous vs Tremendous: When To Use Each One In Writing?

Lithe vs Agile: Choosing the Right One To Use

© 2024 GrammarBeast.com - All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Core Differences

We Provide Comparison for All Terms

10 Difference between Essay and Report (With Table)

What is the main difference between essay and report? An essay pertains to a literary technique wherein nearly all aspects of a subject are thoroughly explored or articulated. A report serve as the documentation and comprehensive analysis of the discoveries and suggestions derived from practical research.

In the realm of academic writing, students frequently come across two prevalent types of assignments: essays and reports. While these assignments share certain resemblances, they also possess marked distinctions.

This piece aims to delve into the contrasting characteristics of essays and reports, with a particular emphasis on their objectives, structures, and writing approaches.

Difference between Essay and Report with Table

What Is Essay?

An essay is a written composition that presents a focused and organized discussion or exploration of a particular topic, idea, or argument. Essays are a common form of academic, literary, and creative writing and are characterized by several key features:

Thesis Statement : An essay typically begins with a clear and concise thesis statement that outlines the main argument or purpose of the essay.

Structure : Essays follow a specific structure, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. This structure allows for the logical presentation of ideas and arguments.

Supporting Evidence : Arguments and claims in an essay are supported by evidence, which may include examples, data, quotes, or references to authoritative sources.

Coherence : Essays are expected to be coherent, with ideas flowing logically from one point to the next. Transitions and topic sentences help maintain this coherence.

Analysis : Essays often involve critical thinking and analysis, where the writer evaluates, interprets, or critiques the topic or subject matter.

Clarity and Conciseness : Effective essays are clear, concise, and free from unnecessary jargon or verbosity. They communicate ideas effectively to the intended audience.

Variety of Types : Essays come in various forms, such as argumentative, persuasive, expository, narrative, and descriptive, each with its own unique characteristics and objectives.

What Is Report?

A report is a formal and structured document that presents information, data, findings, or recommendations on a specific topic, issue, or problem. Reports are typically written for a targeted audience, such as business professionals, government officials, researchers, or stakeholders, and they serve various purposes:

Information Dissemination : Reports convey objective and factual information, often gathered through research, investigation, or analysis.

Problem-Solving : Some reports are designed to address specific problems or challenges, offering solutions or recommendations.

Decision-Making : Reports provide the necessary data and analysis to support informed decision-making processes.

Documentation : They serve as records of events, actions, or research, preserving information for future reference.

Accountability : Reports may be used to document the performance or progress of projects, organizations, or individuals, ensuring accountability.

Main Difference between Essay and Report

• An essay serves as a concise literary composition for presenting and analyzing ideas, while a report is a formal document that communicates research findings.
• Essays blend subjective analysis with personal ideas, while reports maintain objectivity by relying on past research and current data.
• Essays incorporate general facts and the writer’s opinions in a non-fictional manner. Conversely, reports offer information that aids in identifying facts or supports decision-making and problem-solving.
• Reports are structured with sections featuring engaging headings, while essays follow a continuous flow but are divided into coherent paragraphs.
• Reports use visuals like tables, charts, graphs, and statistics for clarity, whereas essays typically do not include such elements.
• Essay conclusions reflect the writer’s personal opinions and tend to be optimistic, lacking recommendations for future actions. Reports provide impartial conclusions, potentially including expert opinions and recommendations for further research and improvement.

Similarities between Essay and Report

• Both are written documents.
• They require clear and coherent writing.
• Proper grammar, punctuation, and style are essential in both.
• Both may require citations and references.
• They serve as means of conveying information or ideas.
• Both should have a well-organized structure.
• An introduction and conclusion are common elements in both.

In conclusion, while essays and reports are both written forms of communication, they serve distinct purposes and exhibit notable differences in their characteristics and structures.

Essays are primarily vehicles for presenting, analyzing, and discussing ideas or viewpoints, often incorporating subjective analysis and personal opinions.

In contrast, reports are formal documents intended to convey objective information, research findings, or recommendations, maintaining objectivity and utilizing data and past research.

The structural variances are evident, with essays featuring a continuous flow of text divided into paragraphs, while reports are organized into sections with informative headings for clarity. Additionally, reports often employ visual aids like charts and tables, enhancing data presentation.

Finally, their conclusions differ significantly, as essays express personal opinions and optimism, while reports provide impartial conclusions with recommendations for further research or action.

People Who Read This Also Read:

• Difference between Abstract and Introduction
• Difference between Commercial Bank and Merchant Bank
• Difference between EFT and ACH
• Difference between Copyright Infringement and Plagiarism

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Why Choose Us
• Vision and Mission
• Hire Writers
• How it Works

Explore the Key Difference Between Essay and Report

Table of Content

Advantages of Essays:

Advantages of reports:, quality content:, thorough research:, structured writing:, editing and proofreading:, customization:.

When it comes to academic writing, understanding the difference between " Essay vs Report " is crucial. These two forms may seem similar initially, but each has unique characteristics and purposes. Therefore, it is important to grasp the differences, as you'll be better equipped to decide when to use an essay or a report for your writing tasks.

In this blog, we'll delve into the critical disparities between a "report vs essay" to help you with this academic writing more effectively. We'll break down their specific features so that you have a clear understanding of how to choose between an essay and a report and meet their respective requirements. So, if you are aiming for top grades, this guide will empower you to write confidently in both styles. But before that, you should know the meaning of essay and report.

Need Personalised Assistance from Our Experts?

Share Your Requirements via Whatsapp!

Meaning of Essay and Report

Academic essays and academic reports are two distinct forms of academic writing that serve different purposes and have different structures. Here are the key differences between an  essay vs report :

This academic writing allows you to express your opinions on a particular topic. Essays are more flexible and subjective, emphasizing critical thinking, and the use of supporting evidence to back up the writer's claims. Moreover, they are frequently used to explore complex ideas, engage in academic discourse, and develop writing skills. In case of difficulty, you can always pay for essay  to experts.

These are structured and objective documents that present factual information and findings on a specific topic. Unlike essays, reports are more focused on providing information rather than presenting personal opinions or arguments. These are often based on research, investigation, or data analysis.

Understanding the meaning of both essay vs report can help you approach each type of writing appropriately and effectively.However, if you need assistance with either form, you can ask, “Can you  write my essay for me  or report? Now, let's further check out the advantages of writing these tasks.

Advantages of Essay and Report in Academics

In school or college, when you have to write things, there are two significant ways to do it: essays and reports. They each have their good sides, and it's essential to understand the strengths of "essay vs report " in academics. In this part, we will look at the advantages of using essays and reports for your college work. Let's see why essays and reports are excellent and how they can help you improve in universities.

Here are the advantages of essay in academics that you need to know:

• Expressiv e : Essays, in the context of essay vs report, enable writers to express their thoughts, opinions, and analyses on a topic, fostering creativity and critical thinking. They provide a platform to present arguments persuasively and engage readers.
• Flexibility : Essays offer flexibility in structure and content, allowing writers to adapt their approach based on the topic and purpose, you may require  essay help . This versatility enables the exploration of complex ideas and encourages individual writing styles.
• Personal Development : Writing essays enhances various skills such as research, critical thinking, organization, and communication. It helps writers develop their ability to articulate ideas, analyze information, and construct logical arguments.
• Academic Discourse : Essays contribute to academic discourse by facilitating discussions and debates on various subjects. They encourage scholars to engage with existing research, challenge ideas, and contribute to the body of knowledge.

Now, as you know, the advantages of writing an academic essay. Let's discuss some advantages of report writing, to know the difference between report vs essay more clearly.

Here are the advantages of report writing in academics that you need to learn:

• Accuracy : Reports prioritize objectivity and provide accurate and reliable information. They present data, research findings, and evidence-based conclusions, making them valuable for decision-making and informing actions.
• Structure Clarity : Reports follow a structured format, making them easy to navigate and comprehend, whether for professional communication or presenting research findings. It allows readers to locate specific information quickly.
• Professional Communication : Reports are commonly used in professional and scientific contexts to communicate research findings, project outcomes, or business insights. They provide a concise and standardized way to present complex information.
• Evidence-Based : Reports aid evidence-based decision-making by systematically presenting data and research findings. They help students assess the validity and reliability of information.

It's important to note that the advantages mentioned above, in the context of  essay vs report , can offer a great help in your academics. Both essays and reports have unique strengths and serve different purposes in academia and professional settings. Let's move forward to understand the differences between the academic writing tasks.

Need Academic Writing Help?

Seek the Best Academic Writing Help in the UK

Difference Between Essay and Report

Remember that these distinctions can vary based on specific academic requirements or disciplines, so it's important to refer to your guidelines for precise instructions on structuring your essay vs report. However, if you are still struggling with writing any of these academic writing tasks, then it is best to seek help from experts and learn how to write a report  or an essay. Check out the below section to know how our experts can help you.

How Our Experts Can Help You?

At Assignment Desk, our expertise in e ssay v s r eport  writing can be invaluable to individuals seeking academic or professional assistance. By leveraging our skills, you can access comprehensive, well-researched, and expertly crafted essays and reports on a wide range of topics. Our "Report Writing Services" can help clients save time, reduce stress, and achieve better grades or outcomes. Here's how we can assist:

We deliver high-quality, original content tailored to your specific requirements, adhering to academic standards and guidelines for both "Essays" and "Reports."

We conduct in-depth research, compile relevant data, and cite sources properly to support arguments and claims in both essays and reports.

We ensure a clear, logical structure for essays, and appropriate headings, subheadings, and sections for reports.

We review and refine content for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors, enhancing the overall clarity and coherence of the work in both essay vs report.

Our experts tailor each piece to individual needs, respecting specific guidelines, formats, and deadlines for both essays and reports.

Our experts can be a valuable resource for those seeking help with " Essay Vs Report " writing. Also, we offer them the opportunity to excel in their academic or professional endeavors through our specialized report writing services  that you can get help with.I hope we have resolved your query and you would seek assistance in case you are still in dilemma.

Try Before You Buy !

Get Free PDF Link Directly to your WhatsApp !

Great!! Sumsa Free PDF Template has been delivered on your WhatsApp Number.

• Essay Writing Tips By Experts
• Writing An Essay In Half Time
• How To Write Sat Essay In Just 50 Minutes
• How To Write Critical Analysis Essay
• Writing A Short Essay
• How To Paraphrase An Essay 5 Best Practices By Experts
• Write Extended Essay
• Write An Essay Without Plagiarism
• How To Write An Analytical Essay
• How To Write A Profile Essay Know From Experts
• Correct Your Essay Writing Concepts
• How To Write An Admission Essay
• Everything About Discursive Essay Writing
• How To Write A Reflective Essay
• Phrases And Words To Use In An Essay
• How To Write A Compare And Contrast Essay The Ultimate Guide
• How To Write A Good Argumentative Essay
• How To Write An Academic Essay
• Write A Discussion Essay
• Descriptive Essay Writing Guide
• Write Narrative Essay
• Types Of Essays
• How To Write Synthesis Essay
• Key Difference Between Essay And Report
• The Best Guide To Write A Scholarship Essay
• Guide On How To Write An Explanatory Essay
• Deductive Essays
• Structuring A Peel Essay
• Essay Reference
• Structure Outline For An Essay
• Bibliography In An Essay
• Sentence Starters For Essays
• How To Construct An Essay Plan
• Write Conclusion For An Essay
• Essay Feedback Importance And How To Implement It
• Essay Introduction

Boost Grades & Leave Stress

Get A+ Within Your Budget!

Price Calculator

Offers & Benefits

Get upto 55% OFF on Your First Order !

Extra 25% OFF on Your First Order !

Use Our Seasonal Offers!

Coupon Code

FREE Features

• Topic Creation USD 3.87 FREE
• Outline USD 9.33 FREE
• Unlimited Revisions USD 20.67 FREE
• Editing/Proofreading USD 28 FREE
• Formatting USD 8 FREE
• Bibliography USD 7.33 FREE

Get all these features for

USD 80.67 FREE

RELATED BLOGS

Compare and Contrast Essay: Structure, Topics & Example

How to Write Reflective Essay? A Complete Guide to Follow

Decoding Deductive Essays: A Step-by-Step Explanation

A Quick Guide on How to Write an Explanatory Essay 

The Best Guide to Write a Scholarship Essay

A Complete Guide on How to Write a Synthesis Essay

Professional assignment writers.

Choose a writer for your task among hundreds of professionals

Please rotate your device

We don't support landscape mode yet. Please go back to portrait mode for the best experience

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Know more

Calculate the Price

Professional Academic Help at Pocket-Friendly Prices!

Estimated Price

Limited Time Offer

Exclusive Library Membership + FREE Wallet Balance

1 Month Access !

5000 Student Samples

10,000 Answers by Experts

Get $300 Now

Assignment and Study Help

• Start your assignment
• Search for information
• Write your assignment
• Essay and report writing
• Revising and editing
• Copyright and plagiarism
• Groupwork/Teamwork
• Presenting and public speaking
• Resources Outside TAFE Queensland Library
• University of Canberra and FedUni Study Help
• Accessibility guide This link opens in a new window
• Learning support This link opens in a new window
• Referencing This link opens in a new window
• Student Software, PCs & Access This link opens in a new window
• Learning Skills Support This link opens in a new window

Essay and report layout

Introduction

• Essay layout
• Report layout
• Tips and Hints

Most assignments require either an essay or report. Essays and reports differ from one another in both their purpose and the information they contain. 

The table below describes the differences between essays and reports. 

• Essay format example in PDF format
• Report format example in PDF
• Basic Report Format in Word format

Essay writing

While there are some basic steps for writing an essay, it is not always a straight forward process. You might like to work through the different stages a number of times. You may need to return to your reading and notetaking as you realise you are missing pieces of information. 

General layout and presentation of an essay

The essay is generally organised into three broad sections - introduction, body, conclusion. 

The introduction for the essay provides an overview of your assignment question and the arguments that you will make in this essay to answer it. The introduction captures the reader's interest and prepares the reader for what is to come The introduction is usually one paragraph in length.

The body of the essay uses ideas set out in the introduction, and expands on them to convince the reader of the argument or position of the author. The body is the largest section of the essay, with a number of paragraphs outlining a number of ideas or arguments related to the assignment question. 

You should focus on one idea or argument in each paragraph. Each paragraph should logically follow on from the one that precedes it to make sure that the essay is presenting a clear and connected argument throughout. Paragraphs should be at least three sentences in length (mirroring the introduction, body and conclusion of an essay). 

The conclusion bring together the ideas for the body of the assignment. It will sum up you ideas/arguments so the reader can understand in full the final position you are taking. The conclusion is only restating arguments that have been mad, and should not introduce new ideas or facts.   

Your teacher will instruct you on margins, spacing, font and paragraph formatting for your assignments.

R eport writing

A report provides an account of research or an investigation. It clearly describes, in logical sequence the steps that have been followed. Reports can be any length and can be:

Informational - contain facts/figures, e.g. sales, production or accident reports. Analytical - written to solve problems/situations, contain recommendations.

Report structures include numbered sections and have:

Major headings in upper case letters. They can be underlined. Minor headings indented from the left margin and in lower case letters. They can be underlined also.

These headings distinguish major ideas from minor ones, help to organise your material and enable you to maintain a consistent layout throughout the report.

Remember: Write your report to get your message across - above all, your report should provide a clear and concise analysis of the work undertaken with no unfinished work apparent.

Example of a report format:

Cover page (Name of the report, your name, date, course name/no.)

Executive summary or abstract: short summary of the report containing all the most important information such as the purpose, methods, findings, any recommendations and conclusion. Write this summary after you have finished the rest of the report.

Table of contents : list of all headings and corresponding page numbers in the report

Body of report: 1. INTRODUCTION (an example of a major heading)

1.1 Aim of the report (an example of a minor heading) Describe the aim or scope of the report. 1.2 Authorisation Why the report was requested and by whom. 1.3 Sources of information List interviews, laboratory procedure manuals consulted and so on.

2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

2.1 Information available A statement on the present situation.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Summary of data 3.2 Explanation of tables and graphs 3.3 Analysis of data 3.4 Observation of results

4. CONCLUSION/S State what the results have proved or suggested. Do not introduce any new information at this stage of the report.

5. RECOMMENDATIONS (if required) It is recommended that: (action to be/not to be taken, or a choice can/cannot be made)

5.1 First recommendation 5.2 Second recommendation

Appendices Examples: Glossary, Survey results

Bibliography/Reference List

An essay usually consists of an introduction, the body, a conclusion and a reference list or bibliography. The assignment question will contain instruction or direction words.

Helpful Tips

• Use plain English: use familiar words rather than foreign phrases or scientific jargon.
• Don't use slang – try a dictionary or thesaurus to find a better word or term.
• Don’t use abbreviations such as “Aust”, “Qld”, “don’t” and “&” in essays.
• Be precise: use enough words to achieve clarity but avoid unnecessary words that can distract from the main point
• Acronyms: write the full name followed by the acronym in brackets, e.g. Department of Education, Training and Employment (DETE). “DETE” can then be used throughout the rest of the essay.
• Word length – stay on target to avoid writing too much or too little.
• You must include in-text referencing within the body of the assignment.
• The reference list, works cited list, or bibliography must be included at the end of the essay. Your teacher will determine which list is appropriate for your assignment.
• << Previous: Write your assignment
• Next: Revising and editing >>
• Last Updated: Aug 20, 2024 8:57 AM
• URL: https://library.tafeqld.edu.au/assignment_study_help

• RMIT Australia
• RMIT Europe
• RMIT Vietnam
• RMIT Global
• RMIT Online
• Alumni & Giving

• What will I do?
• What will I need?
• Who will help me?
• About the institution
• New to university?
• Studying efficiently
• Time management
• Mind mapping
• Note-taking
• Reading skills
• Argument analysis
• Preparing for assessment
• Critical thinking and argument analysis
• Online learning skills
• Starting my first assignment
• Researching your assignment
• What is referencing?
• Understanding citations
• When referencing isn't needed
• Paraphrasing
• Summarising
• Synthesising
• Integrating ideas with reporting words
• Referencing with Easy Cite
• Getting help with referencing
• Acting with academic integrity
• Artificial intelligence tools
• Understanding your audience
• Writing for coursework
• Literature review
• Academic style
• Writing for the workplace
• Spelling tips
• Writing paragraphs
• Writing sentences
• Academic word lists
• Annotated bibliographies
• Artist statement
• Case studies
• Creating effective poster presentations
• Essays, Reports, Reflective Writing
• Law assessments
• Oral presentations
• Reflective writing
• Art and design
• Critical thinking
• Maths and statistics
• Sustainability
• Educators' guide
• Learning Lab content in context
• Latest updates
• Students Alumni & Giving Staff Library

Learning Lab

Getting started at uni, study skills, referencing.

• When referencing isn't needed
• Integrating ideas

Writing and assessments

• Critical reading
• Poster presentations
• Postgraduate report writing

Subject areas

For educators.

• Educators' guide
• Reports vs essays

Students are sometimes unclear about different genres of assessment tasks.

Students often ask the question "What is the difference between a report and an essay?" This short video explains what a report is in academic writing, how it is used in different situations, and the structure of a report including executive summary, introduction, findings and conclusion.

What is a report?

A report is a piece of writing that tells you about some experience, event, or situation. This could include just doing research on some topic, a practical experiment, some issue that has arisen in a company/organisation, or a system, or even a piece of equipment, maybe.

Reports are often problem-based, but not always. It describes what you have found out, and it goes deeper - it explains and analyses what you have found out. Reports are very structured and there is an expected format. They always have sections and headings.

Have a look at this report outline:

“The aim of this report was to investigate Unilab staff attitudes to the use of mobile phones in staff and team meetings. A staff survey and policies on mobile phone use from a number of similar companies were analysed. There was significant support for a clear company policy on mobile phone use, including their banning in certain situations. The results of this research reflected the findings from similar studies. The report concluded that personal mobile phones should not be turned on during all staff meeting times.”

Most reports have executive summaries. In some disciplines, we call it an “abstract”. They are not the same as the introduction. An executive summary summarises the whole report. That means that there will be a sentence or two representing each section of the report. You always write it after you have completed the full report. Have a look at how the writer summarises each main section in one sentence (refer to executive summary above). As you can see, it’s got a very definite structure drawn from the larger report. It is very different to the introduction which just talks about the broad context, the purpose of the report, and what is going to be covered in the following sections. It gives the reader an idea of what is ahead – it does not give the overview like the executive summary.

The other important sections are the Findings and Discussion. This is where you would describe and then analyse your findings. Your findings will be reporting what you have discovered during your research, or your experiment, or an observation you have made. In the discussion section, you must delve deeper: you have to analyse and make sense of these findings and not just state what they are.

Finally, in the conclusion, you summarise your findings or use your findings or to come out with a more unified understanding or outcome. In some disciplines like business, you might be asked to give solutions or recommendations to overcome a problem that you have noticed. Recommendations might have their own section or be included in the conclusion, too.

For more information about reports, try the tutorials. Thanks for watching!

The table below shows the main differences between reports and essays.

• Provides objective information: Can be constructed collaboratively.
• Highly structured into sections identified using headings.
• Sections can be read in isolation of the most of the text: the reader can dip in and out.
• Objective report and analysis of facts.
• Grounded in practice but often links to theory.
• For a specific audience.
• Includes tables, graphs and diagrams.
• Dot points used for conciseness.
• Presents a particular writer's claim or argument.
• Structured by paragraphing with key points identified in topic sentences.
• Paragraphs are read in the context of the whole: the reader starts at the beginning and reads the entire text.
• Subjective argument or interpretation.
• Grounded in theory but sometimes linked to practice.
• For a generalised audience.
• Meaning is conveyed through text.
• Meaning constructed through sentences.
• Purpose of reports and sources to use
• Overall structure of a report
• Sample report structures

Still can't find what you need?

The RMIT University Library provides study support , one-on-one consultations and peer mentoring to RMIT students.

• Facebook (opens in a new window)
• Twitter (opens in a new window)
• Instagram (opens in a new window)
• Linkedin (opens in a new window)
• YouTube (opens in a new window)
• Weibo (opens in a new window)
• Copyright © 2024 RMIT University |
• Accessibility |
• Learning Lab feedback |
• Complaints |
• ABN 49 781 030 034 |
• CRICOS provider number: 00122A |
• RTO Code: 3046 |
• Open Universities Australia

• I nfographics
• Show AWL words
• Subscribe to newsletter
• What is academic writing?
• Academic Style
• What is the writing process?
• Understanding the title
• Brainstorming
• Researching
• First draft
• Proofreading
• Report writing
• Compare & contrast
• Cause & effect
• Problem-solution
• Classification
• Essay structure
• Introduction
• Literature review
• Book review
• Research proposal
• Thesis/dissertation
• What is cohesion?
• Cohesion vs coherence
• Transition signals
• What are references?
• In-text citations
• Reference sections
• Reporting verbs
• Band descriptors

Show AWL words on this page.

Levels 1-5:     grey  Levels 6-10:   orange 

Show sorted lists of these words.

Any words you don't know? Look them up in the website's built-in dictionary .

Choose a dictionary .  Wordnet  OPTED  both

Report writing An overview and comparison with essays

There are many forms of writing which you may have to undertake at university, from reflective journals to extended researched assignments. The two most common forms of writing are reports and essays . This page describes what a report is , outlines the main types of report you may need to write, and summarises the differences between reports and essays .

What is a report?

For another look at the same content, check out the video on YouTube (also available on Youku ).

A report is a clearly structured form of writing which presents and analyses information clearly and briefly for a particular audience. The information is usually the result of an experiment, investigation, or some other form of primary research such as a questionnaire or survey. It will contain headings and sub-headings, as well as graphics such as graphs, charts and tables. Reports often use the information they contain to present recommendations for future action. They are common not only at university, but also in industry and government. For more information on what a report is, see the section below which compares reports to essays .

Types of report

There are many different types of reports which can be written, though the type you will write at university depends very much on your course of study. Each report will have a different format and writing conventions, though the structure and language used are broadly similar for all reports. The following are some of the main reports written at university.

• Laboratory report . This type of report explains and analyses the results of an experiment. It may also be called lab report , experimental report , or science report .
• Business report . This analyses a situation and uses business theory to provide solutions or recommendations. It includes many types, e.g. market research report , marketing report , and financial report .
• Case study report . This examines a real-world situation (the 'case') and analyses it using appropriate theory (the 'study').
• project report . This reports on project work which has been conducted.
• Research report . This gives the results of research which has been conducted, for example through surveys (via questionnaires or interviews).
• progress report . This informs a supervisor about progress on a project over a certain period of time.
• Design report . This report describes and evaluates a design used to solve a particular problem.
• Field report . This combines theory and practice by describing an observed person, place or event and analysing the observation.

Other types of report are possible, such as a systems analysis report , a maths report , a feasibility study and a client case work report . Some disciplines, especially business, may require you to write an essay with headings. This is not a report, since all the other features, aside from the headings, are the same as a conventional essay.

Reports vs. essays

Although many of the writing skills required for essays also apply to reports, such as use of topic sentences , cohesion and citations , reports are quite unlike essays in several regards. The table below summarises the main differences. These are divided into three categories: general areas, structure, and content.

Charles Darwin University (2013) Report . Available from http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/studyskills/studyskills/reports.html (Access date 19 July, 2015).

Massey University (2012) Business Report . Available from http://owll.massey.ac.nz/assignment-types/business-report.php (Access date 20 July, 2015).

Monash University (2015) Report Writing . Available from http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/writing/general/report/index.xml (Access date 20 July, 2015).

Purdue University (2015) Purposes and Types of Report Format . Available from https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/726/02/ (Access date 20 July, 2015).

Queensland University of Technology (2014) Writing a report Available from http://www.citewrite.qut.edu.au/write/report.jsp (Access date 19 July, 2015).

RMIT University (2007) Differences between Essays, Reports and Journals . Available from https://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/content/2_assessmenttasks/assess_pdf/diffbet_reportsessays.pdf (Access date 19 July, 2015).

Unilearning (2000) Comparison: reports and essays . Available from http://unilearning.uow.edu.au/report/1b.html (Access date 19 July, 2015).

University of Queensland (2015) Types of assignment . Available from http://www.uq.edu.au/student-services/learning/types-of-assignments (Access date 20 July, 2015).

GET FREE EBOOK

Like the website? Try the books. Enter your email to receive a free sample from Academic Writing Genres .

Next section

Find out about report structure in the next section.

Previous section

Read the previous article about the writing process .

Author: Sheldon Smith    ‖    Last modified: 01 February 2022.

Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .

Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.

Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).

Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.

Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).

Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.

Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.

• Key Differences

Know the Differences & Comparisons

Difference Between Essay and Report

On the other hand, an essay can be understood as a piece of writing, on a specific topic or subject, which expresses the author’s own ideas and knowledge about the subject.

The basic difference between essay and report is that while an essay is argumentative and idea-based, reports are informative and fact-based. Now, let us move further to understand some more points of differences.

Content: Essay Vs Report

Comparison chart.

Definition of Essay

An essay can be understood as a comprehensive literary composition, written in a narrative style and presents a particular topic, supports an argument and highlights the writer’s view or ideology. An essay is used to check a person’s outlook and understanding on specific matters and also his/her ability to describe and argue in a way which convinces the reader or informs him/her about a specific topic.

One can make use of learned materials, along with his/her own research, to write an essay effectively. It includes both narrative and subjective thoughts. Further, an essay supports a single idea at a time, for which several components need to be covered in it so as to appear logical and chronological.

It can be a learned argument, observation of day to day life, literary criticism, political manifestos, recollections, and reflections of the writer. It starts with a question and attempts to answer or give suggestions to the problem, on the basis of the existing theories or the writer’s personal opinion and assessment.

While writing an essay, it must be kept in mind that the approach used by the writer should be positive, even if the topic of argument is negative.

Definition of Report

The report implies a well structured factual document which is created and presented after conducting an independent enquiry, research or investigation on a specific subject. It serves as a basis for problem-solving and decision making.

Reports are prepared for a definite purpose and contain relevant information in a proper format, for a particular audience. It is used to identify, observe and analyse the issues, events, findings, that occurred practically, i.e. in real life.

A report is designed with the aim of informing the reader about the event, situation or issue, in a very simple and objective manner, while enabling them to get the desired information quickly and easily. It provides recommendations for future actions. Information collected from research, or from carrying out a project work is presented in a clear and concise manner, under a set of headings and subheadings, that helps the reader to get the desired information quickly and easily.

Characteristics of an Ideal Report

• It must be clear and concise.
• It is written in easy language which the readers can understand easily.
• It has to be appropriate and accurate.
• It should be well drafted and organised, with specific sections, headings and sub-headings.

A report summary can be provided orally, however detailed reports are usually in the form of written documents. It contains – Title Page, Acknowledgement, Authorization Letter, Table of Contents, Executive Summary, Introduction, Discussion, Results, Conclusion, Recommendations and References.

Moreover, Cover letter, Copyright notice, Bibliography, Glossary and Appendices may also form part of a report.

Key Differences Between Essay and Report

The difference Between report and essay is discussed here in detail:

• An essay is a brief literary composition, which is used to describe, present, argue, and analyse the idea or topic. Conversely, a report is a formal and concise document consisting of findings from the practical research. It aims at investigating and exploring the problem under study.
• An essay is written on the basis of subjective analysis of theories and past research, by other people and own ideas, on the concerned subject. As against, a report is objective and factual, which is based on past research, as well as present data and findings.
• An essay talks about general facts and events along with the writer’s personal ideas and views, on the topic in a non-fictional manner. On the contrary, a report contains information which the reader can use to identify the facts or support in decision making or solving issues if any.
• When it comes to sections, a report usually contains different sections, with catchy headings which may attract the attention of the audience. As against, an essay does not have any section, its flow is continuous. However, it is divided into cohesive paragraphs.
• A report uses tables, charts, graphs, diagrams, statistics and many more for a clear and better presentation of the information. But, in the case of essays, they are not used.
• The conclusion in an essay is based on the writer’s personal opinion and views on the topic itself which must be optimistic, and it does not provide any recommendations for future actions. On the other hand, a report gives an independent conclusion, but it may contain the opinion of the experts or previous researchers and recommendations are included, about how the research can be improved and extended.

In a nutshell, Essays are descriptive, subjective and evaluative, whereas, a report is descriptive, objective and analytical. Essays are mainly used in an academic context, whereas reports are preferred in the field of research.

The report is used to present the researched information in a written format, to the audience. Conversely, essays are used to identify what the writer knows about the topic and how well the writer understand the question.

You Might Also Like:

Anna H. Smith says

November 26, 2020 at 3:22 pm

Thank you for explaining this so eloquently. Excellent post, I will keep this handy and refer to it often from now on, the information is so clear and so insightful, thanks for giving a clear difference. It’s a very educative article.!

Presley Dube says

November 20, 2021 at 3:43 pm

very useful to me thank you.

Leonard says

August 8, 2022 at 2:52 pm

Thanks for sharing such nice information about this topic.

Ignatius Phiri says

March 20, 2023 at 10:39 pm

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Types of Assignment

• Starting an assignment
• Academic poster
• Annotated bibliography
• Project Proposal
• Dissertation or final year project
• Literature review
• Critical Assessment - Assessing Academic Journal Articles
• Systematic Review (Postgraduate resource)
• Presentation
• Reports in Microsoft Word

Attend a workshop

Find out more about the Library and Academic Skills workshop programme here .

Type of Assignment: Report

A report is a formal document that presents information, findings, or analysis on a particular topic, issue, or event. It typically includes an introduction, body, and conclusion, and may contain sections such as; summary, methodology, results, discussion, and recommendations. Reports are often used to communicate research findings, evaluate projects or initiatives, inform decision-making, or provide updates on progress. They are commonly used in academic, business, government, and professional contexts.

In University various formats are used to present information and learning. A report assignment is asking you to present the information using a certain format (Headings and sub-headings are common). Understanding the assignment task includes understanding the formatting required and the digital elements.

Check out our guide on breaking down the assignment task: Starting an Assignment.

For support with Word and the digital skills required to create a report contact the TILE team.

Report: Things you need to know...

Reports are like burgers, they have a top and bottom (Introduction and a conclusion) but what goes in-between can vary greatly depending on the writer and the purpose of the report. Typically, at University reports are used to evidence learning and to segment different topics for easier reader understanding (though it can also help the writer too as it helps in the creation of the content as well).

Reports are usually written to record the methodology, results and conclusions of an investigation (this may be as a result of primary research (often practical and undertaken by you) or secondary (analysis of current literature and evidence).

They are written for easy reading and discussion so headings, sub-headings, numbering, bullet points, images, tables and graphs can all be used.  Use concise, business-like language so that the reader of your report can easily understand.

Reports can be written in a variety of ways, there is not just one correct way (check assignment guidelines). A report may consist of sections such as:

• Title  - be specific.
• Introduction - aim(s), objectives and why this is an important area for investigation?
• Methodology – what you did to investigate and/or research this subject?
• Findings and discussion – what you found out and what the findings mean?
• Conclusions – what conclusions you made? 
• Recommendations - if needed.
• Title page  - be specific.
• Executive summary  - highlights and key points from the report
• Table of contents
• Introduction  – aim(s), objectives and why this is an important topic
• The main body portion  – what you found out and what the findings mean?
• Conclusion  – what conclusions you made? 
• Recommendations  - if needed.

An appendix comprises supplementary and extra content that is not crucial to the main body of the text, yet it can aid in offering a more comprehensive comprehension of the research problem or provide information that is too extensive to be incorporated within the main paper.

The appendix provides the reader with information needed to understand or clarify an element discussed within the main body e.g. the questions used in a survey.

• Report structure What sections to include when writing a formal academic report.

Need to know more...

Try doing an advanced search, for example "report writing" + business in order to find resources appropriate to your subject area..

• << Previous: Reflection
• Next: Reports in Microsoft Word >>
• Last Updated: Aug 29, 2024 9:36 AM
• URL: https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/assignments
• Library and Learning Services, Staffordshire University, College Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2DE
• Accessibility
• Library Regulations
• Appointments
• Library Search

Understanding Assignments

What this handout is about.

The first step in any successful college writing venture is reading the assignment. While this sounds like a simple task, it can be a tough one. This handout will help you unravel your assignment and begin to craft an effective response. Much of the following advice will involve translating typical assignment terms and practices into meaningful clues to the type of writing your instructor expects. See our short video for more tips.

Basic beginnings

Regardless of the assignment, department, or instructor, adopting these two habits will serve you well :

• Read the assignment carefully as soon as you receive it. Do not put this task off—reading the assignment at the beginning will save you time, stress, and problems later. An assignment can look pretty straightforward at first, particularly if the instructor has provided lots of information. That does not mean it will not take time and effort to complete; you may even have to learn a new skill to complete the assignment.
• Ask the instructor about anything you do not understand. Do not hesitate to approach your instructor. Instructors would prefer to set you straight before you hand the paper in. That’s also when you will find their feedback most useful.

Assignment formats

Many assignments follow a basic format. Assignments often begin with an overview of the topic, include a central verb or verbs that describe the task, and offer some additional suggestions, questions, or prompts to get you started.

An Overview of Some Kind

The instructor might set the stage with some general discussion of the subject of the assignment, introduce the topic, or remind you of something pertinent that you have discussed in class. For example:

“Throughout history, gerbils have played a key role in politics,” or “In the last few weeks of class, we have focused on the evening wear of the housefly …”

The Task of the Assignment

Pay attention; this part tells you what to do when you write the paper. Look for the key verb or verbs in the sentence. Words like analyze, summarize, or compare direct you to think about your topic in a certain way. Also pay attention to words such as how, what, when, where, and why; these words guide your attention toward specific information. (See the section in this handout titled “Key Terms” for more information.)

“Analyze the effect that gerbils had on the Russian Revolution”, or “Suggest an interpretation of housefly undergarments that differs from Darwin’s.”

Additional Material to Think about

Here you will find some questions to use as springboards as you begin to think about the topic. Instructors usually include these questions as suggestions rather than requirements. Do not feel compelled to answer every question unless the instructor asks you to do so. Pay attention to the order of the questions. Sometimes they suggest the thinking process your instructor imagines you will need to follow to begin thinking about the topic.

“You may wish to consider the differing views held by Communist gerbils vs. Monarchist gerbils, or Can there be such a thing as ‘the housefly garment industry’ or is it just a home-based craft?”

These are the instructor’s comments about writing expectations:

“Be concise”, “Write effectively”, or “Argue furiously.”

Technical Details

These instructions usually indicate format rules or guidelines.

“Your paper must be typed in Palatino font on gray paper and must not exceed 600 pages. It is due on the anniversary of Mao Tse-tung’s death.”

The assignment’s parts may not appear in exactly this order, and each part may be very long or really short. Nonetheless, being aware of this standard pattern can help you understand what your instructor wants you to do.

Interpreting the assignment

Ask yourself a few basic questions as you read and jot down the answers on the assignment sheet:

Why did your instructor ask you to do this particular task?

Who is your audience.

• What kind of evidence do you need to support your ideas?

What kind of writing style is acceptable?

• What are the absolute rules of the paper?

Try to look at the question from the point of view of the instructor. Recognize that your instructor has a reason for giving you this assignment and for giving it to you at a particular point in the semester. In every assignment, the instructor has a challenge for you. This challenge could be anything from demonstrating an ability to think clearly to demonstrating an ability to use the library. See the assignment not as a vague suggestion of what to do but as an opportunity to show that you can handle the course material as directed. Paper assignments give you more than a topic to discuss—they ask you to do something with the topic. Keep reminding yourself of that. Be careful to avoid the other extreme as well: do not read more into the assignment than what is there.

Of course, your instructor has given you an assignment so that they will be able to assess your understanding of the course material and give you an appropriate grade. But there is more to it than that. Your instructor has tried to design a learning experience of some kind. Your instructor wants you to think about something in a particular way for a particular reason. If you read the course description at the beginning of your syllabus, review the assigned readings, and consider the assignment itself, you may begin to see the plan, purpose, or approach to the subject matter that your instructor has created for you. If you still aren’t sure of the assignment’s goals, try asking the instructor. For help with this, see our handout on getting feedback .

Given your instructor’s efforts, it helps to answer the question: What is my purpose in completing this assignment? Is it to gather research from a variety of outside sources and present a coherent picture? Is it to take material I have been learning in class and apply it to a new situation? Is it to prove a point one way or another? Key words from the assignment can help you figure this out. Look for key terms in the form of active verbs that tell you what to do.

Key Terms: Finding Those Active Verbs

Here are some common key words and definitions to help you think about assignment terms:

Information words Ask you to demonstrate what you know about the subject, such as who, what, when, where, how, and why.

• define —give the subject’s meaning (according to someone or something). Sometimes you have to give more than one view on the subject’s meaning
• describe —provide details about the subject by answering question words (such as who, what, when, where, how, and why); you might also give details related to the five senses (what you see, hear, feel, taste, and smell)
• explain —give reasons why or examples of how something happened
• illustrate —give descriptive examples of the subject and show how each is connected with the subject
• summarize —briefly list the important ideas you learned about the subject
• trace —outline how something has changed or developed from an earlier time to its current form
• research —gather material from outside sources about the subject, often with the implication or requirement that you will analyze what you have found

Relation words Ask you to demonstrate how things are connected.

• compare —show how two or more things are similar (and, sometimes, different)
• contrast —show how two or more things are dissimilar
• apply —use details that you’ve been given to demonstrate how an idea, theory, or concept works in a particular situation
• cause —show how one event or series of events made something else happen
• relate —show or describe the connections between things

Interpretation words Ask you to defend ideas of your own about the subject. Do not see these words as requesting opinion alone (unless the assignment specifically says so), but as requiring opinion that is supported by concrete evidence. Remember examples, principles, definitions, or concepts from class or research and use them in your interpretation.

• assess —summarize your opinion of the subject and measure it against something
• prove, justify —give reasons or examples to demonstrate how or why something is the truth
• evaluate, respond —state your opinion of the subject as good, bad, or some combination of the two, with examples and reasons
• support —give reasons or evidence for something you believe (be sure to state clearly what it is that you believe)
• synthesize —put two or more things together that have not been put together in class or in your readings before; do not just summarize one and then the other and say that they are similar or different—you must provide a reason for putting them together that runs all the way through the paper
• analyze —determine how individual parts create or relate to the whole, figure out how something works, what it might mean, or why it is important
• argue —take a side and defend it with evidence against the other side

More Clues to Your Purpose As you read the assignment, think about what the teacher does in class:

• What kinds of textbooks or coursepack did your instructor choose for the course—ones that provide background information, explain theories or perspectives, or argue a point of view?
• In lecture, does your instructor ask your opinion, try to prove their point of view, or use keywords that show up again in the assignment?
• What kinds of assignments are typical in this discipline? Social science classes often expect more research. Humanities classes thrive on interpretation and analysis.
• How do the assignments, readings, and lectures work together in the course? Instructors spend time designing courses, sometimes even arguing with their peers about the most effective course materials. Figuring out the overall design to the course will help you understand what each assignment is meant to achieve.

Now, what about your reader? Most undergraduates think of their audience as the instructor. True, your instructor is a good person to keep in mind as you write. But for the purposes of a good paper, think of your audience as someone like your roommate: smart enough to understand a clear, logical argument, but not someone who already knows exactly what is going on in your particular paper. Remember, even if the instructor knows everything there is to know about your paper topic, they still have to read your paper and assess your understanding. In other words, teach the material to your reader.

Aiming a paper at your audience happens in two ways: you make decisions about the tone and the level of information you want to convey.

• Tone means the “voice” of your paper. Should you be chatty, formal, or objective? Usually you will find some happy medium—you do not want to alienate your reader by sounding condescending or superior, but you do not want to, um, like, totally wig on the man, you know? Eschew ostentatious erudition: some students think the way to sound academic is to use big words. Be careful—you can sound ridiculous, especially if you use the wrong big words.
• The level of information you use depends on who you think your audience is. If you imagine your audience as your instructor and they already know everything you have to say, you may find yourself leaving out key information that can cause your argument to be unconvincing and illogical. But you do not have to explain every single word or issue. If you are telling your roommate what happened on your favorite science fiction TV show last night, you do not say, “First a dark-haired white man of average height, wearing a suit and carrying a flashlight, walked into the room. Then a purple alien with fifteen arms and at least three eyes turned around. Then the man smiled slightly. In the background, you could hear a clock ticking. The room was fairly dark and had at least two windows that I saw.” You also do not say, “This guy found some aliens. The end.” Find some balance of useful details that support your main point.

You’ll find a much more detailed discussion of these concepts in our handout on audience .

The Grim Truth

With a few exceptions (including some lab and ethnography reports), you are probably being asked to make an argument. You must convince your audience. It is easy to forget this aim when you are researching and writing; as you become involved in your subject matter, you may become enmeshed in the details and focus on learning or simply telling the information you have found. You need to do more than just repeat what you have read. Your writing should have a point, and you should be able to say it in a sentence. Sometimes instructors call this sentence a “thesis” or a “claim.”

So, if your instructor tells you to write about some aspect of oral hygiene, you do not want to just list: “First, you brush your teeth with a soft brush and some peanut butter. Then, you floss with unwaxed, bologna-flavored string. Finally, gargle with bourbon.” Instead, you could say, “Of all the oral cleaning methods, sandblasting removes the most plaque. Therefore it should be recommended by the American Dental Association.” Or, “From an aesthetic perspective, moldy teeth can be quite charming. However, their joys are short-lived.”

Convincing the reader of your argument is the goal of academic writing. It doesn’t have to say “argument” anywhere in the assignment for you to need one. Look at the assignment and think about what kind of argument you could make about it instead of just seeing it as a checklist of information you have to present. For help with understanding the role of argument in academic writing, see our handout on argument .

What kind of evidence do you need?

There are many kinds of evidence, and what type of evidence will work for your assignment can depend on several factors–the discipline, the parameters of the assignment, and your instructor’s preference. Should you use statistics? Historical examples? Do you need to conduct your own experiment? Can you rely on personal experience? See our handout on evidence for suggestions on how to use evidence appropriately.

Make sure you are clear about this part of the assignment, because your use of evidence will be crucial in writing a successful paper. You are not just learning how to argue; you are learning how to argue with specific types of materials and ideas. Ask your instructor what counts as acceptable evidence. You can also ask a librarian for help. No matter what kind of evidence you use, be sure to cite it correctly—see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial .

You cannot always tell from the assignment just what sort of writing style your instructor expects. The instructor may be really laid back in class but still expect you to sound formal in writing. Or the instructor may be fairly formal in class and ask you to write a reflection paper where you need to use “I” and speak from your own experience.

Try to avoid false associations of a particular field with a style (“art historians like wacky creativity,” or “political scientists are boring and just give facts”) and look instead to the types of readings you have been given in class. No one expects you to write like Plato—just use the readings as a guide for what is standard or preferable to your instructor. When in doubt, ask your instructor about the level of formality they expect.

No matter what field you are writing for or what facts you are including, if you do not write so that your reader can understand your main idea, you have wasted your time. So make clarity your main goal. For specific help with style, see our handout on style .

Technical details about the assignment

The technical information you are given in an assignment always seems like the easy part. This section can actually give you lots of little hints about approaching the task. Find out if elements such as page length and citation format (see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial ) are negotiable. Some professors do not have strong preferences as long as you are consistent and fully answer the assignment. Some professors are very specific and will deduct big points for deviations.

Usually, the page length tells you something important: The instructor thinks the size of the paper is appropriate to the assignment’s parameters. In plain English, your instructor is telling you how many pages it should take for you to answer the question as fully as you are expected to. So if an assignment is two pages long, you cannot pad your paper with examples or reword your main idea several times. Hit your one point early, defend it with the clearest example, and finish quickly. If an assignment is ten pages long, you can be more complex in your main points and examples—and if you can only produce five pages for that assignment, you need to see someone for help—as soon as possible.

Tricks that don’t work

Your instructors are not fooled when you:

• spend more time on the cover page than the essay —graphics, cool binders, and cute titles are no replacement for a well-written paper.
• use huge fonts, wide margins, or extra spacing to pad the page length —these tricks are immediately obvious to the eye. Most instructors use the same word processor you do. They know what’s possible. Such tactics are especially damning when the instructor has a stack of 60 papers to grade and yours is the only one that low-flying airplane pilots could read.
• use a paper from another class that covered “sort of similar” material . Again, the instructor has a particular task for you to fulfill in the assignment that usually relates to course material and lectures. Your other paper may not cover this material, and turning in the same paper for more than one course may constitute an Honor Code violation . Ask the instructor—it can’t hurt.
• get all wacky and “creative” before you answer the question . Showing that you are able to think beyond the boundaries of a simple assignment can be good, but you must do what the assignment calls for first. Again, check with your instructor. A humorous tone can be refreshing for someone grading a stack of papers, but it will not get you a good grade if you have not fulfilled the task.

Critical reading of assignments leads to skills in other types of reading and writing. If you get good at figuring out what the real goals of assignments are, you are going to be better at understanding the goals of all of your classes and fields of study.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Make a Gift

LibAnswers: Library and Learning Services

What is the difference between an essay and a report.

Reports are typically used to present the findings from a particular project, experiment, or investigation in a systematic way. Essays are used to develop a discussion of a topic or build an argument.

Reports present information in a different way from an essay. Whilst essays are generally quite fluid in terms of structure, enabling the author to explore a topic through a series of paragraphs, a report will be highly structured with section headings and subheadings that have a clear function. Reports often use tables, bullet points and graphics to present information.

Links & Files

• Learn more about different types of assignment
• Learn more about academic writing
• Academic Writing
• Last Updated Aug 21, 2023
• Answered By Lauren Cracknell

FAQ Actions

• Share on Facebook

Comments (0)

➔ About the Library

➔ Meet the Team

➔ Customer Service Charter

➔ Library Policies & Regulations

➔ Privacy & Data Protection

Essential Links

➔ Database A-Z

➔ Frequently Asked Questions

➔Discover the Library

➔Referencing Help

➔ Print & Copy Services

➔ Service Updates

Library & Learning Services, University of Suffolk, Library Building, Long Street, Ipswich, IP4 1QJ

✉ Email Us: [email protected]

✆ Call Us: +44 (0)1473 3 38700

Report Assignment vs Essay Assignment: What’s the Difference?

Introduction.

Report assignments and essay assignments are both common types of assessments that you may encounter while studying. Although they have some similarities, there are key differences between them. It is important to know these key differences because doing one instead of the other will affect your grade. The easiest way to find out the required one is from the assignment brief or question.

It will either mention an essay or a report. What’s the difference though? Some of the key differences are the structure, purpose and presentation. This article will show you the general differences so that you don’t mistakenly do one instead of the other when asked. For specific requirements, the assignment brief or lecturer is your best bet. Check out level-specific assignment requirements here .

The Purpose of a Report

A report assignment provides information about a specific topic or issue. This is normally broken down into the key elements that apply to the assignment question. Sometimes, because of the report assignment question, only specific parts of the topic are required. The goal of an assignment report is to inform an audience. Even though the marker knows about the topic, the report should be written as though he doesn’t.

The Purpose of an Essay

Because the purpose of an essay assignment varies, ensure that you are clear about it from the brief or lecturer. In general, an essay expresses a viewpoint or an argument. Some essays would require you to explore a topic in-depth and interpret information. However, an essay assignment in business and management studies can be quite different from that of other areas such as journalism and psychology. More details are below.

Language Differences

Within business and management studies, the language of both can be similar. This is because the same academic writing style is required for both. This is not the same in all areas of study. Your lecturer or instructor will inform you when you ask. In general, reports are typically written in a more formal and objective style, with a focus on presenting factual information.

Essays can allow some subjectivity such as personal opinions or perspectives. However, this depends on a number of factors which include the field of study, the assignment question, the location of study and the level. Some essays within business and management studies do not allow subjectivity. They are written in an objective academic style.

Essay Assignment Structure

An essay assignment typically has a basic structure that includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The specific format of an essay assignment may vary depending on the lecturer’s guidelines or the requirements of the assignment. The following is a general structure of a typical essay assignment:

Essay Introduction: The introduction is the first paragraph of the essay. It should include an attention-grabbing opening statement, background information about the topic, and a statement that outlines the main argument or point of the essay.

Body Paragraphs : The body paragraphs make up the main section of the essay. They should provide supporting evidence to back up the main statement. Each body paragraph should have a clear topic sentence, supporting evidence or examples, and a concluding sentence that links back to the thesis statement. Use the PEA (point, evidence, analysis) technique to efficiently structure your paragraphs.

Essay Conclusion : The conclusion is the final paragraph of the essay. It should summarise the main points of the essay and restate the main statement in a new way. Also, it should provide a closing statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. See more tips on writing academic essays from Harvard University here .

report Assignment Structure

Specifically, the assignment requirements and lecturer’s guidelines will tell you the expected structure. Reports are structured with headings and subheadings to organize information in a clear and logical way. Generally, a report assignment structure will include the following sections:

Title Page : The title page should include the title of the report, the name of the author or authors, the date, and any other relevant information such as the name of the department or institution.

Table of Contents: The table of contents lists the major sections, subsections, and the corresponding page numbers of the report.

Executive Summary : The executive summary is a brief overview of the main findings and conclusions of the report. It should be concise and provide an overview of the entire report.

Abstract: In some reports, especially research articles and dissertations, an abstract is included. It concisely summarises the entire work. This includes the purpose of the research, the methods used, the findings and the conclusions.

Introduction: The introduction provides background information on the topic of the report. This includes any relevant history or context. It should also include the purpose of the report and the scope of the research.

Methodology : The methodology section explains the methods used to gather data and conduct research. This section may include details on the sample size, data collection tools and techniques, and data analysis methods. Some reports do not require a methodology section due to the report requirements. In others, this is embedded within the discussion section.

Results : The results section presents the findings of the research in a clear and organised way. This section may include tables, graphs, and other visual aids to help illustrate the data. In some reports, the results and visual aids are embedded in the discussion.

Discussion : The discussion section provides an analysis and interpretation of the results. This section should explain the significance of the findings and relate them back to the purpose of the report.

Conclusion : Here, the main findings and conclusions of the report are summarised. It should also include any recommendations for future action or research.

References : The references section lists all sources cited in the report, including books, articles, and other materials.

Bibliography : Where other sources have been read but not cited in the report, a bibliography is ideal. This is because it includes the sources that are not cited to the ones cited.

Appendices : The appendices section includes any additional information that supports the report, such as raw data, surveys, or detailed calculations.

Using the right structure suitable for the assignment question shows a good understanding of what’s required. It also contributes to the grade because of the professional presentation requirement in business and management assignments. However, using the wrong structure shows a lack of understanding which may affect the grade.

Ultimately, carefully review the assignment instructions and follow any specific guidelines provided by the lecturer. This is because the requirements for reports and essays are sometimes different from the norm. This is how you think like a Lecturer when doing your assignments.

Drop your questions (and thoughts) in the comment box below.

Related Posts

What Am I Required To Do In My Assignment? Consider The University Requirements.

Knowing the expectations for assignments and exams at your level of study helps you prepare better before any assessment. You can make the best of the time spent on lessons, workshops, tutorials, studying and general discussions with lecturers and peers. That is, you can get involved in discussions, and activities and ask questions that will help you better meet the…

What Should I Do In My Assignment? Think Like a Lecturer: Dissect the Command Words!

Would you rather think like the lecturer that set your assignment question while answering it, instead of going by your own interpretation? How can you think like the lecturer when you don’t have the superpower to read minds? Actually, you can read the part of the lecturer’s mind that matters for your answer.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Click here to receive related articles

Assignment Ace UK – Blog

• Essay Vs. Report | What Sets Them Apart From One Another?

No matter if you are in college or school, you will have to work on and submit several different types of written assignments to your tutors. As per the type of project you are assigned, you have to decide how to move forward with your assignment.

Say, for instance, your tutor may assign you to work on an essay or a report during the weekend.

Wait, an essay or a report? Is there a difference? Woah!

There sure is! The basic composition of both is like chalk and cheese. Similarly, the discourse and the format are also poles apart. Both of them, essays and reports, are entirely different from one another.

But what is the difference?

Now, that is a genius question! To get an answer to your question and to nail your next assignment, we suggest you read on! 

Below, we have discussed the differences between both of these written assignments in detail. So, let us get started!

Unveil The Key Differences Between Essay and Report

There are a lot of things that set an essay apart from the report. Below, we have shed light on the major key differences between them. However, if you still cannot grasp the difference, then we suggest you seek assignment help from any reputable service provider. Here are the differences:

Difference No. 1 – The Basic Meaning Of Them

• Essay: The essay is a literary device in which the writer can state or discuss each and everything about the subject matter. It revolves around past research led by experts, subjective analysis of theories, and the writer’s own opinion and ideas. The expected word count of an essay is about 250 to 300 words
• Report: On the contrary, a report is the analysis as well as the documentation of any recommendations and findings from any practical research. It is based on research conducted in the past as well as the present findings and data. A reporter has to write approximately 180 to 210 words to complete a report. However, the word count depends on your professor or employer’s requirements

Difference No. 2 – Purpose

• Essay: The most popular types of essays discuss the purpose behind them being written. For instance, they can be expository, descriptive, persuasive, narrative, etc. Essays are written to describe the topic, tell a story, make arguments, and present factual information in written format, and for a lot of different reasons
• Report: A report offers evidence-based information in a similar manner to an expository essay, however, in a very distinct manner. For example, expository essays use text or words to give out their information. Whereas a report is less dependent on words or text and more on data and numbers

Difference No. 3 – Structure

• Essay: An essay is structured traditionally with an introductory paragraph that incorporates the thesis statement from the writer. This statement presents the writer’s motive for their paper. The main body must have a minimum of three paragraphs. Each one of these paragraphs should have topic sentences of their own that could relate back to and amplify the thesis statement. This is not it. However, there must be a conclusion paragraph that sums up the writer’s points to finish off the essay. Lastly, an essay does not possess a table of content
• Report: As a rule, reports do not have any universal structure. Therefore, the structure is based on an employer’s or professor’s preference. It is up to the report writer to include tables, charts, graphs, bullet points, and much more to illustrate their findings and layout data. However, it does contain a table of contents before the main body. Reports often consist of an introduction and a conclusion. However, instead of body paragraphs that discuss the point or argument of the essay, a report gives data and then uses the words to shed light on the data. Moreover, it also defines what can be worked out from it instead of requiring any abstract thought

Difference No. 4 – Sections, Subsections, Headings, Etc.

• Essay: An essay typically requires a writer to display their way of thinking by using their words only. You can hire any reputable essay writing service to write a compelling essay for you. Essays do not contain any chart, table, diagram, figure, or any other thing of that sort
• Report: On the contrary, a report traditionally incorporates headings, sections, subsections, separation of ideas, and much more. This is not all; reports also contain charts, figures, tables, diagrams, and a lot more

Difference No. 5 – Reaching A Conclusion

• Essay: As an essay writer, it might be completely fine for you to present your thoughts on the subject topic that you just discussed while writing a conclusion. It will be up to you to establish the points you will use to explain your reasoning. Furthermore, it will be your call to make to describe how you come up with a certain conclusion. So, basically, you are free to write whatever you want as long as it is relevant to the subject matter of your essay.
• Report: On the other hand, as a report writer, you would be expected to draw conclusions from the data you presented and give recommendations on the basis of the data. Reports leave room for zero to no imagination and demand very to-the-point research. So, you would not be required to flex your creative muscles because the information required in a report must be based on facts and figures as compared to what the writer thinks is significant to discuss on the subject matter

Summing It All Up!

In a nutshell, it would not be wrong to suggest that essays are evaluative, descriptive, as well as subjective. On the contrary, a report is analytical, descriptive, and objective. Moreover, essays are mostly used in the academic field. Meanwhile, reports are of much use in the field of research.

Essays are used to shed light on the knowledge of the writer about the subject matter and how well the writer understands the subject question. However, a report is written to lay the researched information in a written format to the professor, employer, or the audience.

• Writing Tips

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• 7 Effective Assignment Writing Tips To Get Better Marks!
• Summarizing Vs Paraphrasing: What Are The Key Differences?
• Learning About Statistics And Its Application In Real Life
• How Do I Get Assignment Help?
• Assignment Writing
• Free Papers

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Academic writing
• How to write a lab report

How To Write A Lab Report | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples

Published on May 20, 2021 by Pritha Bhandari . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A lab report conveys the aim, methods, results, and conclusions of a scientific experiment. The main purpose of a lab report is to demonstrate your understanding of the scientific method by performing and evaluating a hands-on lab experiment. This type of assignment is usually shorter than a research paper .

Lab reports are commonly used in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This article focuses on how to structure and write a lab report.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

Structuring a lab report, introduction, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about lab reports.

The sections of a lab report can vary between scientific fields and course requirements, but they usually contain the purpose, methods, and findings of a lab experiment .

Each section of a lab report has its own purpose.

• Title: expresses the topic of your study
• Abstract : summarizes your research aims, methods, results, and conclusions
• Introduction: establishes the context needed to understand the topic
• Method: describes the materials and procedures used in the experiment
• Results: reports all descriptive and inferential statistical analyses
• Discussion: interprets and evaluates results and identifies limitations
• Conclusion: sums up the main findings of your experiment
• References: list of all sources cited using a specific style (e.g. APA )
• Appendices : contains lengthy materials, procedures, tables or figures

Although most lab reports contain these sections, some sections can be omitted or combined with others. For example, some lab reports contain a brief section on research aims instead of an introduction, and a separate conclusion is not always required.

If you’re not sure, it’s best to check your lab report requirements with your instructor.

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

Your title provides the first impression of your lab report – effective titles communicate the topic and/or the findings of your study in specific terms.

Create a title that directly conveys the main focus or purpose of your study. It doesn’t need to be creative or thought-provoking, but it should be informative.

• The effects of varying nitrogen levels on tomato plant height.
• Testing the universality of the McGurk effect.
• Comparing the viscosity of common liquids found in kitchens.

An abstract condenses a lab report into a brief overview of about 150–300 words. It should provide readers with a compact version of the research aims, the methods and materials used, the main results, and the final conclusion.

Think of it as a way of giving readers a preview of your full lab report. Write the abstract last, in the past tense, after you’ve drafted all the other sections of your report, so you’ll be able to succinctly summarize each section.

To write a lab report abstract, use these guiding questions:

• What is the wider context of your study?
• What research question were you trying to answer?
• How did you perform the experiment?
• What did your results show?
• How did you interpret your results?
• What is the importance of your findings?

Nitrogen is a necessary nutrient for high quality plants. Tomatoes, one of the most consumed fruits worldwide, rely on nitrogen for healthy leaves and stems to grow fruit. This experiment tested whether nitrogen levels affected tomato plant height in a controlled setting. It was expected that higher levels of nitrogen fertilizer would yield taller tomato plants.

Levels of nitrogen fertilizer were varied between three groups of tomato plants. The control group did not receive any nitrogen fertilizer, while one experimental group received low levels of nitrogen fertilizer, and a second experimental group received high levels of nitrogen fertilizer. All plants were grown from seeds, and heights were measured 50 days into the experiment.

The effects of nitrogen levels on plant height were tested between groups using an ANOVA. The plants with the highest level of nitrogen fertilizer were the tallest, while the plants with low levels of nitrogen exceeded the control group plants in height. In line with expectations and previous findings, the effects of nitrogen levels on plant height were statistically significant. This study strengthens the importance of nitrogen for tomato plants.

Your lab report introduction should set the scene for your experiment. One way to write your introduction is with a funnel (an inverted triangle) structure:

• Start with the broad, general research topic
• Narrow your topic down your specific study focus
• End with a clear research question

Begin by providing background information on your research topic and explaining why it’s important in a broad real-world or theoretical context. Describe relevant previous research on your topic and note how your study may confirm it or expand it, or fill a gap in the research field.

This lab experiment builds on previous research from Haque, Paul, and Sarker (2011), who demonstrated that tomato plant yield increased at higher levels of nitrogen. However, the present research focuses on plant height as a growth indicator and uses a lab-controlled setting instead.

Next, go into detail on the theoretical basis for your study and describe any directly relevant laws or equations that you’ll be using. State your main research aims and expectations by outlining your hypotheses .

Based on the importance of nitrogen for tomato plants, the primary hypothesis was that the plants with the high levels of nitrogen would grow the tallest. The secondary hypothesis was that plants with low levels of nitrogen would grow taller than plants with no nitrogen.

Your introduction doesn’t need to be long, but you may need to organize it into a few paragraphs or with subheadings such as “Research Context” or “Research Aims.”

Don't submit your assignments before you do this

The academic proofreading tool has been trained on 1000s of academic texts. Making it the most accurate and reliable proofreading tool for students. Free citation check included.

Try for free

A lab report Method section details the steps you took to gather and analyze data. Give enough detail so that others can follow or evaluate your procedures. Write this section in the past tense. If you need to include any long lists of procedural steps or materials, place them in the Appendices section but refer to them in the text here.

You should describe your experimental design, your subjects, materials, and specific procedures used for data collection and analysis.

Experimental design

Briefly note whether your experiment is a within-subjects  or between-subjects design, and describe how your sample units were assigned to conditions if relevant.

A between-subjects design with three groups of tomato plants was used. The control group did not receive any nitrogen fertilizer. The first experimental group received a low level of nitrogen fertilizer, while the second experimental group received a high level of nitrogen fertilizer.

Describe human subjects in terms of demographic characteristics, and animal or plant subjects in terms of genetic background. Note the total number of subjects as well as the number of subjects per condition or per group. You should also state how you recruited subjects for your study.

List the equipment or materials you used to gather data and state the model names for any specialized equipment.

List of materials

35 Tomato seeds

15 plant pots (15 cm tall)

Light lamps (50,000 lux)

Nitrogen fertilizer

Measuring tape

Describe your experimental settings and conditions in detail. You can provide labelled diagrams or images of the exact set-up necessary for experimental equipment. State how extraneous variables were controlled through restriction or by fixing them at a certain level (e.g., keeping the lab at room temperature).

Light levels were fixed throughout the experiment, and the plants were exposed to 12 hours of light a day. Temperature was restricted to between 23 and 25℃. The pH and carbon levels of the soil were also held constant throughout the experiment as these variables could influence plant height. The plants were grown in rooms free of insects or other pests, and they were spaced out adequately.

Your experimental procedure should describe the exact steps you took to gather data in chronological order. You’ll need to provide enough information so that someone else can replicate your procedure, but you should also be concise. Place detailed information in the appendices where appropriate.

In a lab experiment, you’ll often closely follow a lab manual to gather data. Some instructors will allow you to simply reference the manual and state whether you changed any steps based on practical considerations. Other instructors may want you to rewrite the lab manual procedures as complete sentences in coherent paragraphs, while noting any changes to the steps that you applied in practice.

If you’re performing extensive data analysis, be sure to state your planned analysis methods as well. This includes the types of tests you’ll perform and any programs or software you’ll use for calculations (if relevant).

First, tomato seeds were sown in wooden flats containing soil about 2 cm below the surface. Each seed was kept 3-5 cm apart. The flats were covered to keep the soil moist until germination. The seedlings were removed and transplanted to pots 8 days later, with a maximum of 2 plants to a pot. Each pot was watered once a day to keep the soil moist.

The nitrogen fertilizer treatment was applied to the plant pots 12 days after transplantation. The control group received no treatment, while the first experimental group received a low concentration, and the second experimental group received a high concentration. There were 5 pots in each group, and each plant pot was labelled to indicate the group the plants belonged to.

50 days after the start of the experiment, plant height was measured for all plants. A measuring tape was used to record the length of the plant from ground level to the top of the tallest leaf.

In your results section, you should report the results of any statistical analysis procedures that you undertook. You should clearly state how the results of statistical tests support or refute your initial hypotheses.

The main results to report include:

• any descriptive statistics
• statistical test results
• the significance of the test results
• estimates of standard error or confidence intervals

The mean heights of the plants in the control group, low nitrogen group, and high nitrogen groups were 20.3, 25.1, and 29.6 cm respectively. A one-way ANOVA was applied to calculate the effect of nitrogen fertilizer level on plant height. The results demonstrated statistically significant ( p = .03) height differences between groups.

Next, post-hoc tests were performed to assess the primary and secondary hypotheses. In support of the primary hypothesis, the high nitrogen group plants were significantly taller than the low nitrogen group and the control group plants. Similarly, the results supported the secondary hypothesis: the low nitrogen plants were taller than the control group plants.

These results can be reported in the text or in tables and figures. Use text for highlighting a few key results, but present large sets of numbers in tables, or show relationships between variables with graphs.

You should also include sample calculations in the Results section for complex experiments. For each sample calculation, provide a brief description of what it does and use clear symbols. Present your raw data in the Appendices section and refer to it to highlight any outliers or trends.

The Discussion section will help demonstrate your understanding of the experimental process and your critical thinking skills.

In this section, you can:

• Interpret your results
• Compare your findings with your expectations
• Identify any sources of experimental error
• Explain any unexpected results
• Suggest possible improvements for further studies

Interpreting your results involves clarifying how your results help you answer your main research question. Report whether your results support your hypotheses.

• Did you measure what you sought out to measure?
• Were your analysis procedures appropriate for this type of data?

Compare your findings with other research and explain any key differences in findings.

• Are your results in line with those from previous studies or your classmates’ results? Why or why not?

An effective Discussion section will also highlight the strengths and limitations of a study.

• Did you have high internal validity or reliability?
• How did you establish these aspects of your study?

When describing limitations, use specific examples. For example, if random error contributed substantially to the measurements in your study, state the particular sources of error (e.g., imprecise apparatus) and explain ways to improve them.

The results support the hypothesis that nitrogen levels affect plant height, with increasing levels producing taller plants. These statistically significant results are taken together with previous research to support the importance of nitrogen as a nutrient for tomato plant growth.

However, unlike previous studies, this study focused on plant height as an indicator of plant growth in the present experiment. Importantly, plant height may not always reflect plant health or fruit yield, so measuring other indicators would have strengthened the study findings.

Another limitation of the study is the plant height measurement technique, as the measuring tape was not suitable for plants with extreme curvature. Future studies may focus on measuring plant height in different ways.

The main strengths of this study were the controls for extraneous variables, such as pH and carbon levels of the soil. All other factors that could affect plant height were tightly controlled to isolate the effects of nitrogen levels, resulting in high internal validity for this study.

Your conclusion should be the final section of your lab report. Here, you’ll summarize the findings of your experiment, with a brief overview of the strengths and limitations, and implications of your study for further research.

Some lab reports may omit a Conclusion section because it overlaps with the Discussion section, but you should check with your instructor before doing so.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy
• Deep learning
• Generative AI
• Machine learning
• Reinforcement learning
• Supervised vs. unsupervised learning

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

A lab report conveys the aim, methods, results, and conclusions of a scientific experiment . Lab reports are commonly assigned in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

The purpose of a lab report is to demonstrate your understanding of the scientific method with a hands-on lab experiment. Course instructors will often provide you with an experimental design and procedure. Your task is to write up how you actually performed the experiment and evaluate the outcome.

In contrast, a research paper requires you to independently develop an original argument. It involves more in-depth research and interpretation of sources and data.

A lab report is usually shorter than a research paper.

The sections of a lab report can vary between scientific fields and course requirements, but it usually contains the following:

• Abstract: summarizes your research aims, methods, results, and conclusions
• References: list of all sources cited using a specific style (e.g. APA)
• Appendices: contains lengthy materials, procedures, tables or figures

The results chapter or section simply and objectively reports what you found, without speculating on why you found these results. The discussion interprets the meaning of the results, puts them in context, and explains why they matter.

In qualitative research , results and discussion are sometimes combined. But in quantitative research , it’s considered important to separate the objective results from your interpretation of them.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Bhandari, P. (2023, July 23). How To Write A Lab Report | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 13, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-writing/lab-report/

Is this article helpful?

Pritha Bhandari

Other students also liked, guide to experimental design | overview, steps, & examples, how to write an apa methods section, how to write an apa results section, what is your plagiarism score.

How to Write a Report for an Assignment: Your Complete Guide

What Is a Report?

How should you structure a report, how to write a report: 7 steps to follow, in conclusion.

This was my first time ordering work online and let me just say, I am pleasantly surprised. Ms. Glen did a fantastic job on my essay and after a few little tweaks here and there I was able to submit it early and get an A.

Finance was never my thing so I figured I would ease my life and hire a professional. The expert completed the assessment 5 hours before the deadline and it was done according to the professor's requirements. Thanks, Mr. Hunther, you were a pleasure to work with.

I keep suggesting Monica to all my friends who are struggling with math. Not only does she provide full answers, but she does a great job at explaining the reasoning behind them.

I am beyond satisfied with how our cooperation with Mr.Gross turned out. My whole class including my prof was fascinated by my marketing project! Thanks for the great work Richard, I'll be back!

I was so stressed about the upcoming biology assessment but Dr.Singh calmed me down and gave me the answers I needed to ace the task in such a short timeframe. I can definitely recommend her for biology help.

So, you’re tasked with writing a report. While it may seem like a cakewalk, it’s anything but. It requires strong research, analysis, and academic writing skills.

That said, don’t let this assignment intimidate you. With a good guide and some practice, you can ace this assignment. In any case, you can always count on our online assignment writing service to help you with any request.

While it’s up to you to develop your report-writing skills, we can help you out with this comprehensive guide on how to write a report. Below you’ll find everything you need to craft an A-worthy report yourself:

• What a report is and how it’s different from other assignments;
• A typical structure for this type of paper;
• A step-by-step guide on writing one from scratch.

The purpose of a report is to recapitulate factual knowledge on a specific topic, usually without giving your opinion on it. That’s what sets it apart from essays, where you have to include your standpoint on the topic.

Academic reports come in many flavors. The most common of them include:

• Informational reports focus on explaining a particular topic through facts in an organized, impersonal, and objective way.
• Case studies describe a particular event, person, organization, or phenomenon that serves as an example for a wider research problem.
• Book reports summarize a work of fiction or non-fiction and sometimes contain an evaluation part.
• History reports describe a historical event or period, its causes, and consequences, all while relying on facts.
• Research reports focus on the research conducted by the author, from the methodology to the study’s undergoing and conclusions.

Most reports have to include these nine elements:

• Title page . It should contain your name, class or course, instructor’s name, the educational establishment’s name, and the paper’s title.
• Executive summary . Think of it as an abstract for your work – it sums up your paper in one paragraph.
• Table of contents . Typically used for long reports, it helps readers quickly find this or that section of the paper.
• Glossary . If your work includes abbreviations, symbols, or niche terms, you can decipher them in this section.
• Introduction . This paragraph is where you present your topic and give some background information that your readers should be aware of. You should also clearly formulate your thesis statement and describe how you’ll approach your topic.
• Main body . The longest part of the paper, the main body, is the part where you describe all the facts you’ve discovered during research.
• Conclusion . It’s the part where you sum up all the information you presented in the main body. You may also express your interpretation or opinion here (if allowed).
• References . This is the list of all sources you cite in the paper, formatted according to the style you have to use.
• Appendices . It’s the section with all graphs, tables with data, or illustrations you referenced in the main body.

Typically, you should also include the following elements throughout your paper:

• Page numbering;
• Headings and subheadings;

Keep in mind: this is a general structure. Before you use it, consult your assignment and see if any instructions there contradict it.

Plus, some elements are defined by the format of writing assignment you’re required to use. For example, the title page is obligatory for APA papers, while it’s optional for Chicago and MLA formats. Page numbering and citation requirements will also differ across styles.

So, you’ve received your assignment, and you’re ready to start working on it. How should you approach it? Follow these seven steps toward a five-star report.

1. Choose Your Topic

If it hasn’t been assigned to you already, you need to choose the topic of your report yourself. Be mindful: your choice can make or break the quality of your paper. For example, if you pick a topic that’s too niche or complex, you may not have enough reliable sources to include in the paper.

But what makes a topic good for writing a report? Here are three questions to ask yourself:

• Is there enough information on this topic?
• Does it spark interest in you?
• Is it original and specific enough?

If you get “yes” for all three questions, this topic can be a good pick for your assignment.

2. Do Your Research

Now that you have your topic, it’s time to gather all the sources for your work. Here are a few tips on doing research for this and any other academic paper:

• Check out similar reports or papers – you can use sources provided there, too;
• Take notes for every source you may use later on – you can even start creating an outline right away;
• Keep in mind that you may have obligatory sources to include – don’t overlook them;
• Stick to reliable sources only: research papers, official documents, reputable organizations and institutions specializing in the topic, case studies, etc.;
• When searching online, filter out results by the top-level domain (.edu for educational establishments, for example) and prioritize using Google Scholar.

3. Create an Outline

If you struggle with starting to write and end up staring at a blank screen, making an outline is a time-tested way to overcome writer’s block.

An outline is a rough plan for your paper. It typically consists of preliminary headings and subheadings, along with short descriptions of each section’s content and sources. 

Your outline doesn’t have to be perfect or well-written! It’s just a way to organize your ideas and information you found during the research.

It’s best to start working on your outline the moment you kick off your research. This way, you won’t forget about a great source or point later.

4. Craft Your Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is that one sentence where you describe what your report is all about. But don’t confuse it with the topic – your thesis statement should be more specific than the topic you initially settled on.

Let’s say you initially chose “the impact of social media on mental health” as the topic for your assignment. Once you do your research, you’ll notice plenty of sources highlighting its negative consequences on mental health. This pattern will help you phrase your thesis statement.

For this example, the thesis statement can be, “Although it has the power to connect people around the globe, social media can lead to a decline in self-esteem, fear of missing out, anxiety and depression, and Snapchat dysmorphia.”

5. Write the First Draft

Now, it’s time for the most time-consuming part of the writing process: crafting the first draft. Your outline will help you a great deal, though: all you need to do is expand on it – and you’ll have your first draft.

You don’t have to start writing at the beginning. The introduction is typically the toughest to craft, along with the conclusion. So, just look at your outline and start typing wherever you feel like it.

You also don’t have to work on your draft linearly. Writing one section close to the end and then working on another one at the beginning is completely fine. You can ensure that you don’t repeat yourself and that your paper’s logic holds up later on.

Don’t worry about the quality of your writing at this stage; just keep writing. First drafts are never perfect, but you’ll polish off yours later on.

A Few Words on the Writing Style

When you get to the writing process or want to buy an assignment from professionals, keep in mind: you’re expected to use the academic assignment writing style. This means you should:

• Be concise and to the point;
• Avoid using informal words, phrases, and expressions;
• Remain objective in your writing;
• Write in the third person.

6. Review & Edit the Draft

Ideally, you should let your first draft sit for a day or two. This way, you can revisit it with a fresh pair of eyes. If that’s not an option, put it away for at least 15 minutes.

When you return to your first draft, it’s time to:

• Reread your draft – you can do it out loud to catch weird turns of phrases and convoluted sentences;
• Make your text more concise and simple;
• Check the text for errors in logic, unsubstantiated claims, and repetitions – and fix those;
• Proofread your text (you can use tools like Grammarly to make this part easier).

7. Format Your Report

Finally, it’s time to take care of the most boring part: formatting. To ace it, check the formatting style you have to use – and follow it to a T when it comes to:

• References list;
• Title page;
• Headers and footers;
• Appendices.

Writing a report is hardly a cakewalk. But it’s not impossible, either! All you need to do is set aside enough time for this assignment, do thorough research – and forget about writing a perfect draft on the first try. You should also stick to being objective and factual in your paper (otherwise, it won’t be a report, right?). By the way, we can now help you to do my assignment on any topic! So the report can now be available in two languages from our team. Good luck!

What is random assignment in psychology?

Take a deep dive into the essence of random assignment in psychology. Learn how it levels the playing field for effective and reliable research.

Reflective Essay Examples: A Comprehensive Guide to Writing With Examples and Tips

Examining examples of reflective essays can provide valuable guidance on completing a reflective essay writing task. Take a look at various samples of reflective essays to enhance your understanding.

Essay On Bullying

Essays About Bullying can be easy with our detailed guide. Learn all about essays on bullying

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Informal Lab Reports, Short Memo or Letter Reports

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

This resource provides guidance on reporting tests and experiments conducted in a variety of lab settings.

In Academic Settings

Short reports are written for teachers who want to evaluate the accuracy and completeness of your work. You may be asked to include some or all of these parts or others not included here:

• Introduction: the purpose, problem, and scope
• Apparatus: the equipment and/or tools used (This section is included only when needed because something beyond the usual apparatus is required.)
• Procedures: the methods (These are described in detail only if asked for or if unusual.)
• Body: the data obtained, discussed and evaluated
• Conclusions and recommendations

In Industry and Government

Short reports are written for readers who need to know the results of your work so that they can make a decision. Include your conclusions and recommendations only if they are specifically asked for. Be as brief as possible, preferably one page or less.

Short Memo or Letter Reports

Use either stationery with the company letterhead or printed forms with standard headings such as To, From, Subject, Date, and other information that a company may wish to include, for example, reference numbers, names of people who receive carbon copies (cc:), and so on. State the subject clearly and concisely, and put the most important words at the beginning of the subject line in the heading.

Introductory statement:

State the general problem first to give the reader a context or “big picture.” Then explain the specific question or task arising from that problem that you will be dealing with. Finally, explain why the report is being submitted or what it is intended to do. This brief, but crucially important overview should usually be no longer than two or three sentences.

Findings or results:

Present your findings clearly and concisely, in whatever method is most appropriate (a list, a table, and so on, with adequate explanation). Arrange your results so that the ones most important to the project or the reader are placed first. Present the rest of your results in descending order of importance. Since your findings are usually the major reason for the memo, this section may be the longest part of the report.

Conclusions and recommendations:

Determine and present the most significant implications or recommendations for action. You may need to put this section before the findings, or you may not need to include this section at all unless it is requested. Company policy usually dictates whether or not this section is included.

Format considerations:

• Use headings and mark your key points so that your readers can survey the contents and can quickly find what they want.
• Place your strongest arguments first when your purpose is to persuade.

Evaluating a Short Memo Report

When evaluating a short memo, the writer should follow a very specific format to keep their document standard. This format includes questions that the writer should ask themselves, the different parts of the memo, headings that should be used as wells as arguments to add. These aspects allow the creation of a short memo to be easy as the formatting will eventually become second nature.

Listed below are the basic questions every report writer should ask himself or herself before writing the report:

• Who will read the report?
• What do they want to know?
• How should the report be structured?

Heading : Lists information such as To, From, Subject, Date, and so on, and states the subject clearly and concisely with the most important words at the beginning of the subject line.

• Is all the relevant information included?
• Is the subject stated clearly and concisely?
• Are the important words first?

Introductory Statement : States the general problem first, then explains the specific question or task being dealt with in the memo, and then explains why the report is being submitted or what it is intended to do.

• Are all three parts of the introductory statement included and stated clearly?

Findings or Results : Presents the findings clearly and concisely with the most important results first. Tables and other information not needed by all readers are, of course, attached separately.

• Are the findings or results clearly indicated and easy to locate on the page?

Conclusions and Recommendations : Presents the significant implications and recommendations for action (if—and only if—conclusions and recommendations have been asked for).

• If the report contains conclusions and recommendations, are they clearly presented and easily located on the page?

Format Considerations: Make headings and mark your key points so that your readers can quickly survey the contents and find what they want.

• Are the headings throughout the report adequate?
• Are key points marked?
• Are your strongest arguments first when writing a persuasive document?

Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Assignments

• Annotated Bibliography
• Analyzing a Scholarly Journal Article
• Group Presentations
• Dealing with Nervousness
• Using Visual Aids
• Grading Someone Else's Paper
• Types of Structured Group Activities
• Group Project Survival Skills
• Leading a Class Discussion
• Multiple Book Review Essay
• Reviewing Collected Works
• Writing a Case Analysis Paper
• Writing a Case Study
• About Informed Consent
• Writing Field Notes
• Writing a Policy Memo
• Writing a Reflective Paper
• Writing a Research Proposal
• Generative AI and Writing
• Acknowledgments

The purpose of a field report in the social sciences is to describe the deliberate observation of people, places, and/or events and to analyze what has been observed in order to identify and categorize common themes in relation to the research problem underpinning the study. The content represents the researcher's interpretation of meaning found in data that has been gathered during one or more observational events.

Flick, Uwe. The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Data Collection . London: SAGE Publications, 2018; Lofland, John, David Snow, Leon Anderson, and Lyn H. Lofland. Analyzing Social Settings: A Guide to Qualitative Observation and Analysis. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press, 2022; Baker, Lynda. "Observation: A Complex Research Method." Library Trends 55 (Summer 2006): 171-189.; Kellehear, Allan. The Unobtrusive Researcher: A Guide to Methods . New York: Routledge, 2020.

How to Approach Writing a Field Report

How to Begin

Field reports are most often assigned in disciplines of the applied social sciences [e.g., social work, anthropology, gerontology, criminal justice, education, law, the health care services] where it is important to build a bridge of relevancy between the theoretical concepts learned in the classroom and the practice of actually doing the work you are being taught to do. Field reports are also common in certain science disciplines [e.g., geology] but these reports are organized differently and serve a different purpose than what is described below.

Professors will assign a field report with the intention of improving your understanding of key theoretical concepts by applying methods of careful and structured observation of, and reflection about, people, places, or phenomena existing in their natural settings. Field reports facilitate the development of data collection techniques and observation skills and they help you to understand how theory applies to real world situations. Field reports are also an opportunity to obtain evidence through methods of observing professional practice that contribute to or challenge existing theories.

We are all observers of people, their interactions, places, and events; however, your responsibility when writing a field report is to conduct research based on data generated by the act of designing a specific study, deliberate observation, synthesis of key findings, and interpretation of their meaning.

When writing a field report you need to:

• Systematically observe and accurately record the varying aspects of a situation . Always approach your field study with a detailed protocol about what you will observe, where you should conduct your observations, and the method by which you will collect and record your data.
• Continuously analyze your observations . Always look for the meaning underlying the actions you observe. Ask yourself: What's going on here? What does this observed activity mean? What else does this relate to? Note that this is an on-going process of reflection and analysis taking place for the duration of your field research.
• Keep the report’s aims in mind while you are observing . Recording what you observe should not be done randomly or haphazardly; you must be focused and pay attention to details. Enter the observation site [i.e., "field"] with a clear plan about what you are intending to observe and record in relation to the research problem while, at the same time, being prepared to adapt to changing circumstances as they may arise.
• Consciously observe, record, and analyze what you hear and see in the context of a theoretical framework . This is what separates data gatherings from reporting. The theoretical framework guiding your field research should determine what, when, and how you observe and act as the foundation from which you interpret your findings in relation to the underlying assumptions embedded in the theoretical framework .

Techniques to Record Your Observations Although there is no limit to the type of data gathering techniques you can use, these are the most frequently used methods:

Note Taking This is the most common and easiest method of recording your observations. Tips for taking notes include: organizing some shorthand symbols beforehand so that recording basic or repeated actions does not impede your ability to observe, using many small paragraphs, which reflect changes in activities, who is talking, etc., and, leaving space on the page so you can write down additional thoughts and ideas about what’s being observed, any theoretical insights, and notes to yourself that are set aside for further investigation. See drop-down tab for additional information about note-taking.

Photography With the advent of smart phones, an almost unlimited number of high quality photographs can be taken of the objects, events, and people observed during a field study. Photographs can help capture an important moment in time as well as document details about the space where your observation takes place. Taking a photograph can save you time in documenting the details of a space that would otherwise require extensive note taking. However, be aware that flash photography could undermine your ability to observe unobtrusively so assess the lighting in your observation space; if it's too dark, you may need to rely on taking notes. Also, you should reject the idea that photographs represent some sort of "window into the world" because this assumption creates the risk of over-interpreting what they show. As with any product of data gathering, you are the sole instrument of interpretation and meaning-making, not the object itself. Video and Audio Recordings Video or audio recording your observations has the positive effect of giving you an unfiltered record of the observation event. It also facilitates repeated analysis of your observations. This can be particularly helpful as you gather additional information or insights during your research. However, these techniques have the negative effect of increasing how intrusive you are as an observer and will often not be practical or even allowed under certain circumstances [e.g., interaction between a doctor and a patient] and in certain organizational settings [e.g., a courtroom]. Illustrations/Drawings This does not refer to an artistic endeavor but, rather, refers to the possible need, for example, to draw a map of the observation setting or illustrating objects in relation to people's behavior. This can also take the form of rough tables, charts, or graphs documenting the frequency and type of activities observed. These can be subsequently placed in a more readable format when you write your field report. To save time, draft a table [i.e., columns and rows] on a separate piece of paper before an observation if you know you will be entering data in that way.

NOTE:   You may consider using a laptop or other electronic device to record your notes as you observe, but keep in mind the possibility that the clicking of keys while you type or noises from your device can be obtrusive, whereas writing your notes on paper is relatively quiet and unobtrusive. Always assess your presence in the setting where you're gathering the data so as to minimize your impact on the subject or phenomenon being studied.

ANOTHER NOTE:   Techniques of deliberate observation and data gathering are not innate skills; they are skills that must be learned and practiced in order to achieve proficiency. Before your first observation, practice the technique you plan to use in a setting similar to your study site [e.g., take notes about how people choose to enter checkout lines at a grocery store if your research involves examining the choice patterns of unrelated people forced to queue in busy social settings]. When the act of data gathering counts, you'll be glad you practiced beforehand.

YET ANOTHER NOTE:   An issue rarely discussed in the literature about conducting field research is whether you should move around the study site while observing or remaining situated in one place. Moving around can be intrusive, but it facilitates observing people's behavior from multiple vectors. However, if you remain in one place throughout the observation [or during each observation], you will eventually blend into the background and diminish the chance of unintentionally influencing people's behavior. If the site has a complex set of interactions or interdependent activities [e.g., a play ground], consider moving around; if the study site is relatively fixed [e.g., a classroom], then consider staying in one place while observing.

Examples of Things to Document While Observing

• Physical setting . The characteristics of an occupied space and the human use of the place where the observation(s) are being conducted.
• Objects and material culture . This refers to the presence, placement, and arrangement of objects that impact the behavior or actions of those being observed. If applicable, describe the cultural artifacts representing the beliefs [i.e., the values, ideas, attitudes, and assumptions] of the individuals you are observing [e.g., the choice of particular types of clothing in the observation of family gatherings during culturally specific holidays].
• Use of language . Don't just observe but  listen to what is being said, how is it being said, and the tone of conversations among participants.
• Behavior cycles . This refers to documenting when and who performs what behavior or task and how often they occur. Record at which stage this behavior is occurring within the setting.
• The order in which events unfold . Note sequential patterns of behavior or the moment when actions or events take place and their significance. Also, be prepared to note moments that diverge from these sequential patterns of behavior or actions.
• Physical characteristics of subjects. If relevant, document personal characteristics of individuals being observed. Note that, unless this data can be verified in interviews or from documentary evidence, you should only focus on characteristics that can be clearly observed [e.g., clothing, physical appearance, body language].
• Expressive body movements . This would include things like body posture or facial expressions. Note that it may be relevant to also assess whether expressive body movements support or contradict the language used in conversation [e.g., detecting sarcasm].

Brief notes about all of these examples contextualize your observations; however, your observation notes will be guided primarily by your theoretical framework, keeping in mind that your observations will feed into and potentially modify or alter these frameworks.

Sampling Techniques

Sampling refers to the process used to select a portion of the population for study . Qualitative research, of which observation is one method of data gathering, is generally based on non-probability and purposive sampling rather than probability or random approaches characteristic of quantitatively-driven studies. Sampling in observational research is flexible and often continues until no new themes emerge from the data, a point referred to as data saturation.

All sampling decisions are made for the explicit purpose of obtaining the richest possible source of information to answer the research questions. Decisions about sampling assumes you know what you want to observe, what behaviors are important to record, and what research problem you are addressing before you begin the study. These questions determine what sampling technique you should use, so be sure you have adequately answered them before selecting a sampling method.

Ways to sample when conducting an observation include:

• Ad Libitum Sampling -- this approach is not that different from what people do at the zoo; they observe whatever seems interesting at the moment. There is no organized system of recording the observations; you just note whatever seems relevant at the time. The advantage of this method is that you are often able to observe relatively rare or unusual behaviors that might be missed by more deliberately designed sampling methods. This method is also useful for obtaining preliminary observations that can be used to develop your final field study. Problems using this method include the possibility of inherent bias toward conspicuous behaviors or individuals, thereby missing mundane or repeated patterns of behavior, and that you may miss brief interactions in social settings.
• Behavior Sampling -- this involves watching the entire group of subjects and recording each occurrence of a specific behavior of interest and with reference to which individuals were involved. The method is useful in recording rare behaviors missed by other sampling methods and is often used in conjunction with focal or scan methods [see below]. However, sampling can be biased towards particular conspicuous behaviors.
• Continuous Recording -- provides a faithful record of behavior including frequencies, durations, and latencies [the time that elapses between a stimulus and the response to it]. This is a very demanding method because you are trying to record everything within the setting and, thus, measuring reliability may be sacrificed. In addition, durations and latencies are only reliable if subjects remain present throughout the collection of data. However, this method facilitates analyzing sequences of behaviors and ensures obtaining a wealth of data about the observation site and the people within it. The use of audio or video recording is most useful with this type of sampling.
• Focal Sampling -- this involves observing one individual for a specified amount of time and recording all instances of that individual's behavior. Usually you have a set of predetermined categories or types of behaviors that you are interested in observing [e.g., when a teacher walks around the classroom] and you keep track of the duration of those behaviors. This approach doesn't tend to bias one behavior over another and provides significant detail about a individual's behavior. However, with this method, you likely have to conduct a lot of focal samples before you have a good idea about how group members interact. It can also be difficult within certain settings to keep one individual in sight for the entire period of the observation without being intrusive.
• Instantaneous Sampling -- this is where observation sessions are divided into short intervals divided by sample points. At each sample point the observer records if predetermined behaviors of interest are taking place. This method is not effective for recording discrete events of short duration and, frequently, observers will want to record novel behaviors that occur slightly before or after the point of sampling, creating a sampling error. Though not exact, this method does give you an idea of durations and is relatively easy to do. It is also good for recording behavior patterns occurring at a specific instant, such as, movement or body positions.
• One-Zero Sampling -- this is very similar to instantaneous sampling, only the observer records if the behaviors of interest have occurred at any time during an interval instead of at the instant of the sampling point. The method is useful for capturing data on behavior patterns that start and stop repeatedly and rapidly, but that last only for a brief period of time. The disadvantage of this approach is that you get a dimensionless score for an entire recording session, so you only get one one data point for each recording session.
• Scan Sampling -- this method involves taking a census of the entire observed group at predetermined time periods and recording what each individual is doing at that moment. This is useful for obtaining group behavioral data and allows for data that are evenly representative across individuals and periods of time. On the other hand, this method may be biased towards more conspicuous behaviors and you may miss a lot of what is going on between observations, especially rare or unusual behaviors. It is also difficult to record more than a few individuals in a group setting without missing what each individual is doing at each predetermined moment in time [e.g., children sitting at a table during lunch at school]. The use of audio or video recording is useful with this type of sampling.

Alderks, Peter. Data Collection. Psychology 330 Course Documents. Animal Behavior Lab. University of Washington; Emerson, Robert M. Contemporary Field Research: Perspectives and Formulations . 2nd ed. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press, 2001; Emerson, Robert M. et al. “Participant Observation and Fieldnotes.” In Handbook of Ethnography . Paul Atkinson et al., eds. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2001), 352-368; Emerson, Robert M. et al. Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes . 2nd ed. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2011; Ethnography, Observational Research, and Narrative Inquiry. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Hazel, Spencer. "The Paradox from Within: Research Participants Doing-Being-Observed." Qualitative Research 16 (August 2016): 446-457; Pace, Tonio. Writing Field Reports. Scribd Online Library; Presser, Jon and Dona Schwartz. “Photographs within the Sociological Research Process.” In Image-based Research: A Sourcebook for Qualitative Researchers . Jon Prosser, editor (London: Falmer Press, 1998), pp. 115-130; Pyrczak, Fred and Randall R. Bruce. Writing Empirical Research Reports: A Basic Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences . 5th ed. Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Publishing, 2005; Report Writing. UniLearning. University of Wollongong, Australia; Wolfinger, Nicholas H. "On Writing Fieldnotes: Collection Strategies and Background Expectancies.” Qualitative Research 2 (April 2002): 85-95; Writing Reports. Anonymous. The Higher Education Academy.

Structure and Writing Style

How you choose to format your field report is determined by the research problem, the theoretical framework that is driving your analysis, the observations that you make, and/or specific guidelines established by your professor. Since field reports do not have a standard format, it is worthwhile to determine from your professor what the preferred structure and organization should be before you begin to write. Note that field reports should be written in the past tense. With this in mind, most field reports in the social sciences include the following elements:

I.  Introduction The introduction should describe the research problem, the specific objectives of your research, and the important theories or concepts underpinning your field study. The introduction should describe the nature of the organization or setting where you are conducting the observation, what type of observations you have conducted, what your focus was, when you observed, and the methods you used for collecting the data. Collectively, this descriptive information should support reasons why you chose the observation site and the people or events within it. You should also include a review of pertinent literature related to the research problem, particularly if similar methods were used in prior studies. Conclude your introduction with a statement about how the rest of the paper is organized.

II.  Description of Activities

Your readers only knowledge and understanding of what happened will come from the description section of your report because they were not witnesses to the situation, people, or events that you are writing about. Given this, it is crucial that you provide sufficient details to place the analysis that will follow into proper context; don't make the mistake of providing a description without context. The description section of a field report is similar to a well written piece of journalism. Therefore, a useful approach to systematically describing the varying aspects of an observed situation is to answer the "Five W’s of Investigative Reporting." As Dubbels notes [p. 19], these are:

• What -- describe what you observed. Note the temporal, physical, and social boundaries you imposed to limit the observations you made. What were your general impressions of the situation you were observing. For example, as a student teacher, what is your impression of the application of iPads as a learning device in a history class; as a cultural anthropologist, what is your impression of women's participation in a Native American religious ritual?
• Where -- provide background information about the setting of your observation and, if necessary, note important material objects that are present that help contextualize the observation [e.g., arrangement of computers in relation to student engagement with the teacher].
• When -- record factual data about the day and the beginning and ending time of each observation. Note that it may also be necessary to include background information or key events which impact upon the situation you were observing [e.g., observing the ability of teachers to re-engage students after coming back from an unannounced fire drill].
• Who -- note background and demographic information about the individuals being observed e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, and/or any other variables relevant to your study]. Record who is doing what and saying what, as well as, who is not doing or saying what. If relevant, be sure to record who was missing from the observation.
• Why -- why were you doing this? Describe the reasons for selecting particular situations to observe. Note why something happened. Also note why you may have included or excluded certain information.

III.  Interpretation and Analysis

Always place the analysis and interpretations of your field observations within the larger context of the theoretical assumptions and issues you described in the introduction. Part of your responsibility in analyzing the data is to determine which observations are worthy of comment and interpretation, and which observations are more general in nature. It is your theoretical framework that allows you to make these decisions. You need to demonstrate to the reader that you are conducting the field work through the eyes of an informed viewer and from the perspective of a casual observer.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when analyzing your observations:

• What is the meaning of what you have observed?
• Why do you think what you observed happened? What evidence do you have for your reasoning?
• What events or behaviors were typical or widespread? If appropriate, what was unusual or out of the ordinary? How were they distributed among categories of people?
• Do you see any connections or patterns in what you observed?
• Why did the people you observed proceed with an action in the way that they did? What are the implications of this?
• Did the stated or implicit objectives of what you were observing match what was achieved?
• What were the relative merits of the behaviors you observed?
• What were the strengths and weaknesses of the observations you recorded?
• Do you see connections between what you observed and the findings of similar studies identified from your review of the literature?
• How do your observations fit into the larger context of professional practice? In what ways have your observations possibly changed or affirmed your perceptions of professional practice?
• Have you learned anything from what you observed?

NOTE:   Only base your interpretations on what you have actually observed. Do not speculate or manipulate your observational data to fit into your study's theoretical framework.

IV.  Conclusion and Recommendations

The conclusion should briefly recap of the entire study, reiterating the importance or significance of your observations. Avoid including any new information. You should also state any recommendations you may have based on the results of your study. Be sure to describe any unanticipated problems you encountered and note the limitations of your study. The conclusion should not be more than two or three paragraphs.

V.  Appendix

This is where you would place information that is not essential to explaining your findings, but that supports your analysis [especially repetitive or lengthy information], that validates your conclusions, or that contextualizes a related point that helps the reader understand the overall report. Examples of information that could be included in an appendix are figures/tables/charts/graphs of results, statistics, pictures, maps, drawings, or, if applicable, transcripts of interviews. There is no limit to what can be included in the appendix or its format [e.g., a DVD recording of the observation site], provided that it is relevant to the study's purpose and reference is made to it in the report. If information is placed in more than one appendix ["appendices"], the order in which they are organized is dictated by the order they were first mentioned in the text of the report.

VI.  References

List all sources that you consulted and obtained information from while writing your field report. Note that field reports generally do not include further readings or an extended bibliography. However, consult with your professor concerning what your list of sources should be included and be sure to write them in the preferred citation style of your discipline or is preferred by your professor [i.e., APA, Chicago, MLA, etc.].

Alderks, Peter. Data Collection. Psychology 330 Course Documents. Animal Behavior Lab. University of Washington; Dubbels, Brock R. Exploring the Cognitive, Social, Cultural, and Psychological Aspects of Gaming and Simulations . Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2018; Emerson, Robert M. Contemporary Field Research: Perspectives and Formulations . 2nd ed. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press, 2001; Emerson, Robert M. et al. “Participant Observation and Fieldnotes.” In Handbook of Ethnography . Paul Atkinson et al., eds. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2001), 352-368; Emerson, Robert M. et al. Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes . 2nd ed. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2011; Ethnography, Observational Research, and Narrative Inquiry. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Pace, Tonio. Writing Field Reports. Scribd Online Library; Pyrczak, Fred and Randall R. Bruce. Writing Empirical Research Reports: A Basic Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences . 5th ed. Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Publishing, 2005; Report Writing. UniLearning. University of Wollongong, Australia; Wolfinger, Nicholas H. "On Writing Fieldnotes: Collection Strategies and Background Expectancies.” Qualitative Research 2 (April 2002): 85-95; Writing Reports. Anonymous. The Higher Education Academy.

• << Previous: Writing a Case Study
• Next: About Informed Consent >>
• Last Updated: Jun 3, 2024 9:44 AM
• URL: https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/assignments

Advertisement

Lions vs. bucs friday injury report - medical breakdown, share this article, detroit lions.

The two main injury concerns coming out of last game were Penei Sewell and Jameson Williams and they remain question marks for this Sunday. Surprises popped up during the week with starters Kerby Joseph and Marcus Davenport.

(NP = No Practice, LP = Limited Practice, FP = Full Practice, UL= Unlisted)

Penei Sewell NP NP LP QUESTIONABLE – ankle, OT

On video, Sewell appeared to get rolled up on the right leg which often causes a high ankle sprain. He didn’t miss any snaps and seemed fine immediately after the game.

Penei Sewell ankle injury video -Likely R high ankle sprain as he gets rolled up on. Didn’t miss a play. -DNP Wed. He says he’s good but high ankles can be tricky. -Availability vs Bucs in question. Hope he can get up to at least LP by Friday. -Nothing long-term pic.twitter.com/0b241yJCk0 — Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 11, 2024

However, high ankles can be tricky and sideline players longer than you might initially think. With an LP on Friday, it is possible Sewell could play.

Last year, Taylor Decker suffered a similar injury, finished the game, then missed the next two.

I dug more into tape and found clear left high ankle sprain for #Lions Taylor Decker in 4q 10:11 final scoring drive -Likely mild severity since played rest of game without obvious limitation. -Could have sprains on both ankles (see prev video) https://t.co/a3kjm3IbOK pic.twitter.com/QwvcCbNmrH — Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 14, 2023

Also last year, Jonah Jackson had a similar injury, finished the game, then missed the next three.

Jonah Jackson L high ankle sprain injury video -Rolled up on, limps after -Hurt 1st qtr, still played rest of game -Similar to Taylor Decker game 1 who never left game but missed next 2 -With Vaitai available and Glasgow playing well, Jackson likely misses 1-2 games #OnePride pic.twitter.com/CsZnw5WXd9 — Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) October 10, 2023

A factor affecting Sewell’s availability this weekend is that the Lions might take extra caution in an expected 20-game season. Missing 1-2 games in a long season is not a huge deal and even carries benefits in load and risk reduction.

Jameson Williams LP LP LP QUESTIONABLE – ankle, WR

On video, there was a very slight external rotation of the left ankle which likely caused a mild high ankle sprain. He did finish the game in spectacular fashion with a 52-yard TD reception.

Jameson Williams L high ankle injury video -Very slight external rotation as foot gets trapped -Finished game with no problems -Should be full-go #TBvsDET -Multiple injuries to #WeAreTheKrewe secondary means Jamo could have another big day #OnePride pic.twitter.com/ptNazBi9yy — Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 10, 2024

With three LP’s, I would expect him to play with minimal to no limitations. While his left ankle may be sore, after taking a look at the Bucs depleted secondary, it may magically feel a lot better.

Kerby Joseph NP LP LP QUESTIONABLE – hamstring, S

Last Sunday, he camouflaged himself in the end zone as he picked off Matthew Stafford. This Sunday, he might be camouflaging himself on the bench.

The hamstring was a surprise as there were no signs of injury during the game and he played until the final defensive snap. It’s possible he hurt it during the week. Having two LP’s to end the week is reassuring that it isn’t serious.

If this Joseph can’t go, the other Joseph (Brandon) will likely take his place.

Marcus Davenport NP NP NP DOUBTFUL – groin, DE

Davenport played until the penultimate defensive play. I didn’t see any signs of injury throughout the game but groin injuries are hard to see.

The groin is a very complex area with many possible injuries, so without any details, it’s difficult to prognosticate. Hopefully, it is just a mild muscle strain of the hip adductors or hip flexors.

While he will be out this Sunday, the doubtful designation is a good sign that this is a short-term issue and he may be ready within the next two weeks.

DJ Reader FP FP FP IN – quad, DT

The grueling, nine-month road to recovery from a quad tendon tear that also included a knee scope speed bump will end this Sunday. Expect limited snaps to ease this big man in.

Carlton Davis FP FP FP IN – chest, CB

After letting an interception slip through his hands, Davis landed on his elbow likely causing a mild rib or ab injury.

Carlton Davis video. Reportedly is fine so likely just wind. pic.twitter.com/cViwrIGAem — Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 9, 2024

The disability will be minimal but there might be some discomfort with chest expansion movements like deep breaths, extending arms, or torso rotation. My medical advice would be to just catch the ball next time.

Ifeatu Melifonwu NP NP NP OUT – ankle, S

An injury likely suffered in the 2nd preseason game is still lingering and starting to become a chronic concern.

Loren Strickland FP FP FP IN – thumb, S

With Melifonwu out and Kerby Joseph questionable, the door could be open for this undrafted rookie to be active this weekend in a backup role.

Isaiah Williams UL LP NP OUT – abdomen, WR

Assuming Jamo is playing, Isaiah Williams’ absence will have minimal impact.

Dan Campbell Friday press conference decryption

Campbell seemed unsure about Sewell’s availability this weekend but it doesn’t sound long-term.

When asked if Sewell’s injury was a high ankle, Campbell said “I think it’s a little bit more medial than that”. High ankle isn’t really a medial vs lateral issue so hard to say what he meant here.

Campbell may have meant more distal which means the pain is lower down the leg thus any high ankle involvement is minimal which would be good.

If he truly meant medial, the deltoid ligament is on the medial side of the ankle and can be injured with the same mechanism of a high ankle sprain. For example, Taylor Decker had a deltoid ligament repair this offseason. If it was just a deltoid ligament sprain and not a high ankle syndesmosis injury, that should be a good thing.

TAMPA BAY BUCS

The Bucs suffered significant injuries coming out of week one specifically to the secondary where at least three players (Winfield, Hayes, Hall) and maybe four (Smith) from last week will be out. Also, line starters Kancey and Goedeke are out.

Calijah Kancey NP NP NP OUT – calf, DT

Kancey missed week one with this calf injury and will be out again on Sunday.

Last year, he had a calf strain in training camp that took four weeks to recover from. Then in his first game back in week one, he aggravated it and missed the next three games. With this kind of personal medical history, the Bucs are wise to be cautious.

Luke Goedeke LP NP NP OUT – concussion, OT

The Bucs starting RT might have had a re-emergence of concussion symptoms after Wednesday’s practice. This will be the second straight week that the Lions’ opponent is missing at least one OT.

Antoine Winfield Jr NP NP NP OUT – ankle, S

This impact starter got hurt last game and will be out this Sunday.

Zyon McCollom LP FP FP QUESTIONABLE – concussion, CB

This starting CB has passed through the concussion protocol and very likely will be available.

Josh Hayes NP NP NP OUT – ankle, CB

This backup CB left last game with an ankle injury and was later seen in a boot. That’s often a bad sign and turns out to be the case here.

Tykee Smith UL NP NP QUESTIONABLE – illness, DB

As if the Bucs secondary wasn’t hurting enough, this rookie DB who played 68% of snaps last game came down with an illness during the week.

Logan Hall LP FP FP QUESTIONABLE – foot, DE

Hall missed week one with this injury but two FP’s means he’s likely ready now.

KJ Britt LP FP FP IN – illness, LB

William gholston lp fp fp in – elbow, dt, lavonte david ul ul lp in – rest, olb, mike evans ul ul lp in – rest, wr, notables unlisted, bryce hall cb out.

This backup CB fractured his ankle this past weekend and was placed on IR.

Want the latest news and insights on your favorite team?

Sign up for our newsletter to get updates to your inbox, and also receive offers from us, our affiliates and partners. By signing up you agree to our Privacy Policy

An error has occured

Please re-enter your email address.

Thanks for signing up!

You'll now receive the top Lions Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

Most Popular

Best and worst pff grades for lions in week 1 vs. rams, lions week 1 report card: grading every position vs. the rams, dan campbell explains why james houston was a healthy scratch in week 1, broadcast map for lions vs. buccaneers shows a small footprint, ex-lions wideout joins the broncos practice squad, penei sewell among 3 lions still sidelined from practice, dan campbell gives a great quote on why the lions didn't get sacks vs. matthew stafford.

Please enter an email address.

Thanks for signing up.

Please check your email for a confirmation.

Something went wrong.

Advertisement

Report: alabama getting key offensive starter back vs. wisconsin, share this article.

Alabama starting left tackle Kadyn Proctor is ‘expected to play and make his season debut’ on Saturday when the Crimson Tide visit the Wisconsin Badgers, according to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz.

Proctor had been trending toward playing earlier in the week. This report comes close to firming his status entering Saturday’s big game.

Related:   10 keys to Wisconsin Badgers pulling a program-defining upset against Alabama

The sophomore left tackle missed Alabama’s first two games after suffering a shoulder injury during warmups before the Week 1 vs. Western Kentucky. His return to the lineup is significant news after the Crimson Tide struggled offensively in their Week 2 win over South Florida.

Both Proctor and starting right tackle Elijah Pritchett have been dealing with injuries early in the season. Both are expected to be healthy and in the lineup on Saturday.

Alabama star left tackle Kadyn Proctor is expected to play and make his season debut for the Tide Saturday vs. Wisconsin after missing the team’s first two games due to a shoulder injury, sources tell @ByScarborough and me for @247Sports / @CBSSports https://t.co/333GjxppiY pic.twitter.com/RigaIjv7Mm — Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) September 13, 2024

The matchup with Alabama is a challenging one for Wisconsin. The Badgers will be tasked with corralling a high-powered offense led by Heisman Trophy candidate Jalen Milroe.

While Wisconsin’s clear weakness is its defensive front seven, there was a thought that Alabama’s lack of health along the line could neutralize its advantage in that area. Proctor and Pritchett both appearing set to play should tip the scales significantly in favor of the Alabama offense.

Wisconsin and Alabama will kick off at noon ET, 11 a.m. CT on Saturday. It is worth monitoring the official status of Alabama’s two starting tackles in the hours approaching game time.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire  on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Most Popular

Ranking big ten football teams by remaining strength of schedule entering week 3, wisconsin vs. alabama: preview, how to watch saturday's game at camp randall stadium, how wisconsin's recent transfer departures fared in week 2 of 2024 football season, 10 keys to wisconsin badgers pulling a program-defining upset against alabama, 5 reasons wisconsin can beat alabama on saturday, badgers wire staff predictions for wisconsin's big game against alabama, ranking the biggest storylines entering wisconsin's premier matchup vs. alabama.

Please enter an email address.

Thanks for signing up.

Please check your email for a confirmation.

Something went wrong.

Advertisement

Panthers week 2 injury report: 5 players questionable for home opener vs. chargers, share this article.

The Carolina Panthers have a handful of question marks entering their home opener this weekend .

Friday’s injury report, the final listing ahead of the Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, deemed five players as questionable for Sunday. Those players include running back and return specialist Raheem Blackshear (personal), tight end Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back), starting right tackle Taylor Moton (knee), starting right guard Damien Lewis (groin) and punter Johnny Hekker (back).

Head coach Dave Canales, however, told reporters following today’s practice that he expects all of the questionables to play.

Five others were down without injury designations for the contest. That bunch included veteran wideout Adam Thielen, who was a full participant despite being added to the report this afternoon.

Bears GM Ryan Poles reveals effects of being rejected by Panthers in 2021

Panthers wire mailbag: what fans want to know ahead of week 2, panthers hc dave canales calls wr xavier legette's nfl debut 'fantastic', want the latest news and insights on your favorite team.

Sign up for our newsletter to get updates to your inbox, and also receive offers from us, our affiliates and partners. By signing up you agree to our Privacy Policy

An error has occured

Please re-enter your email address.

Thanks for signing up!

You'll now receive the top Panthers Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

Most Popular

Panthers hc dave canales says he met with owner david tepper after week 1 loss, bears gm ryan poles reveals hardships of being rejected by panthers in 2021, panthers add starting ilb josey jewell to injury report on thursday, best panthers player to wear every jersey number, panthers sign 2 players to active roster, 2 to practice squad on tuesday.

Please enter an email address.

Thanks for signing up.

Please check your email for a confirmation.

Something went wrong.

Advertisement

Breaking down packers' final injury report of week 2 vs. colts, share this article.

The Green Bay Packers listed quarterback Jordan Love, receiver Jayden Reed and running back MarShawn Lloyd as questionable to play on the final injury report before facing the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2.

How will the injury situation affect Sunday’s showdown?

Here’s an in-depth breakdown of the Packers’ final injury report ahead of Week 2:

Questionable (3)

QB Jordan Love: The big one. Are the Packers just posturing for the Colts, or does Love have a legitimate chance to play Sunday? He didn’t practice all week but is listed as questionable. All along, Matt LaFleur said Love will be given the week to get physically ready to play, and he wouldn’t need to practice to play. We’ll see. Maybe he’ll truly be a game-time decision based on addition healing in the knee over the next two days. Malik Willis would start if Love is inactive. Sean Clifford is the No. 3 quarterback.

WR Jayden Reed : A late add to the injury report on Friday. Reed, who led the NFL in receiving yards in Week 1, has a shin/calf injury. Dontayvion Wicks and Bo Melton (and possibly Luke Musgrave as a big slot) would get more snaps if Reed isn’t available or limited. If Malik Willis starts, not having Reed and his versatile ability as a playmaker would really hurt.

RB MarShawn Lloyd: The rookie’s long-awaited return could arrive this week. Watch for practice squad elevation on Saturday. If the Packers don’t bring up a back, Lloyd will likely make his NFL debut on Sunday. He brings an explosive and dynamic element to the offense, even if he’s a backup.

No status designation

The following players have no status designation and will be available to play on Sunday vs. the Colts: linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, defensive lineman Kenny Clark, cornerback Corey Ballentine, running back Josh Jacobs and linebacker Quay Walker. Clark (toe) was upgraded to full participation on Friday’s injury report.

Colts injury report

The Colts ruled out starting safety Julian Blackmon (shoulder). Veteran Ronnie Harrison Jr. could start in his place at safety. Defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (back), defensive end Kwity Paye (hamstring) and receivert Josh Downs (ankle) as questionable. Buckner, a dominant interior defender, didn’t practice all week.

Read all the best Packers coverage at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Packers Wire .

Want the latest news and insights on your favorite team?

Sign up for our newsletter to get updates to your inbox, and also receive offers from us, our affiliates and partners. By signing up you agree to our Privacy Policy

An error has occured

Please re-enter your email address.

Thanks for signing up!

You'll now receive the top Packers Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

Most Popular

Packers see qb jordan love as 'day to day' with knee injury, uniform numbers retired by the green bay packers, packers add lb quay walker (groin) to week 2 injury report, key comments from packers coordinators ahead of week 2 vs. colts, after containing jalen hurts as a runner, packers defense now faces another challenge in anthony richardson, previewing packers-colts with 5 questions for colts wire, packers have fewest number of 30-year-old players in nfl in 2024.

Please enter an email address.

Thanks for signing up.

Please check your email for a confirmation.

Something went wrong.

• High Schools
• Mitch Albom
• Jeff Seidel
• Shawn Windsor
• Motorsports
• Detroit Marathon
• SportsbookWire

Michigan State vs. Prairie View A&M prediction and scouting report

Free Press sports writer Chris Solari looks ahead to Michigan State football's home matchup against the Prairie View A&M Panthers of the Football Championship Subdivision.

Matchup: Michigan State (2-0) vs. Prairie View A&M (1-1).

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. Saturday; Spartan Stadium, East Lansing.

TV/radio: Big Ten Network, WJR-AM (760).

Line: Spartans by 40½.

Availability report

MSU : Out: OL Kristian Phillips (lower body), CB Chance Rucker (arm), WR Alante Brown (upper body), DB Dillon Tatum (lower body), DB Khalil Majeed (lower body). Questionable: CB Ed Woods (undisclosed), WR Jaron Glover (undisclosed), DT Ben Roberts (undisclosed), DE Avery Dunn (undisclosed). Probable: DB Armorion Smith (personal).

Prairie View A&M : Not available.

Scouting report

When MSU has the ball: The Spartans found a new dynamic duo in quarterback Aidan Chiles and wide receiver Nick Marsh last week. The two connected eight times for 194 yards, including a 77-yard touchdown to tie the game with a little over four minutes left in the fourth quarter, then had two more completions on MSU’s final game-winning field goal drive in the 27-24 victory at Maryland on Saturday. Chiles went 24-for-38 passing for 363 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions after a lackluster 114-yard, two-interception debut against Florida Atlantic in Week 1. Marsh was named Big Ten and national freshman of the week for his breakout performance, but veterans Montorie Foster and Jaron Glover also contributed 12 catches, 137 yards and two more TDs through the air. One of coach Jonathan Smith’s biggest missions this week is to get more traction in the run game, where starter Nate Carter (30 carries for 107 yards) and Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams (19 carries, 147 yards, TD) combined for 109 yards while splitting 21 carries almost evenly against the Terrapins. Prairie View A&M held fellow Football Championship Subdivision foe Northwestern State to just 282 yards in its 37-31 road victory Saturday. Jayven Jackson has a team-high 12 tackles with a blocked kick, while fellow linebacker Ayden Jones has 10 stops and an interception.

When Prairie View has the ball: MSU continued to swarm to the ball against the Terrapins, allowing just one 10-yard run and holding Maryland to only 86 yards on the ground and 339 total yards. Though the Spartans registered just one sack after getting seven against FAU in the opener, they limited mobile quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., to just 13 yards on six carries, one of which was his 7-yard TD run in the first quarter. Cornerback Charles Brantley, despite committing two pass interference penalties, picked off the secondary’s third pass of the season and has MSU tied for fourth-most in the Big Ten through two games. The Spartans’ 17 tackles for a loss on the season rank second in the Big Ten, while their eight sacks are second in the conference and sixth in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Though the secondary is dealing with a number of long-term injuries, including losing cornerback Chance Rucker last week, defensive coordinator Joe Rossi has been able to rotate defensive linemen and linebackers in front of them to apply that pressure and smother the first two opponents in the run game. The Panthers are coming off a 468-yard performance in last week’s road win, which included 280 yards and two passing touchdowns by quarterback Cameron Peters, though he was intercepted twice. The Panthers lost their season opener at home to Southwestern Athletic Conference foe Texas Southern, 27-9.

Know the foe

Deep on targets: Peters, a 6-foot-4, 207-pound junior who has completed 52.8% of his throws through two games, used a number of big-bodied targets in the passing game last week for an offense averaging 249.5 yards per game through the air. Shemar Savage (6-4, 220), had six catches for 133 yards and a score, while fellow senior receiver Trejon Spiller (6-2, 187) added six catches for 55 yards. Savage ranks seventh in the FCS in receiver with 238 yards on 12 catches, and 13 other Panthers have recorded catches already this season. Junior running back Connor Wisham (6-0, 190) has 98 yards 26 carries on the season, almost all of which came last week (22 carries, 83 yards, TD). Lamagea McDowell, a 6-2 and 220-pound grad transfer from Campbell, has 68 yards on 17 attempts with a score.

Kicking machine: Perhaps the biggest scoring threat for the Panthers is kicker Guillermo Garcia Rodriguez. The grad transfer from Oklahoma Baptist is 6-for-6 on field goals and drilled a 54-yarder in Prairie View’s season opener before hitting from 34, 22 and 41 yards last week. Garcia Rodriguez was 13-for-15 in two years at Oklahoma Baptist, then connected on all three of his attempts last season with the Panthers, including a 50-yarder.

History lesson: This is the first football meeting between the Spartans and Prairie View A&M, a Historically Black College and University founded in 1876 that, like MSU, is a land-grant school. The Panthers were a late replacement for MSU in January after a previously scheduled game with Louisiana was canceled due to shuffling for the Rajun' Cajuns. Prairie View A&M, is the nation's third-largest HBCU at nearly 9,000 students. MSU's men's basketball team defeated the Panthers in 2010 in their lone meeting, 90-51, the last game of a 52-game home nonconference win streak for Tom Izzo’s team. The Spartans’ women's hoops team defeated PVAM in 2022 at Breslin Center, 98-50.

Chris Solari's two cents

FCS dominance: As expected, the Spartans have dominated teams from the second division of college football. Since its first game against an FCS opponent in 2009, a 44-3 win over over Montana State, MSU is 8-0 against lower-division schools. The Spartans have won those games, all at Spartan Stadium, by a combined score of 332-81, including last year’s 45-14 win over Richmond.

Stat change: Chiles’ turnover in the fourth quarter at Maryland on Thursday was officially changed to a fumble and not an interception, per MSU, as intercepted fumbles are still recorded as fumbles. As a result, the Spartans were credited as a team with 9 less rushing yards (121) and total offense (484). Maryland’s Kellan Wyatt was credited with a sack/forced fumble and Glendon Miller was credited with a fumble recovery.

Michigan State vs. Prairie View prediction

The difference between the two programs, particularly after MSU’s confidence-boosting road win in the Big Ten opener, will be stark. Expect less reliance on Chiles' passing and a heavy dose of road-grading running behind MSU’s offensive line, using their size and strength advantage to spring Carter and Lynch-Adams for big performances. The pick: MSU 52, Prairie View A&M 7.

Contact Chris Solari: [email protected] . Follow him  @chrissolari .

 Subscribe to the "Spartan Speak" podcast for new episodes weekly on  Apple ,  Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at  freep.com/podcasts .