How to write a report for Functional Skills Level 2
What is a report?
The main function of a report is to provide information about a current issue, topic, event or situation. Research is carried out to gather information. Then the report presents the findings to aid the decision-making process.
Writing a report for Functional Skills English Level 2
Typically, the types of report you will write for Functional Skills English will be about a local issue or a service in the community. For example, the local library, leisure centre, college, local shopping area are just some of the types of topics covered, which are relevant to the general public in some way.
This is an example question taken from a past exam paper:
Always start with the information provided in the box. This provides the context (situation) and key words (important words) you should focus on. It tells you what you should write about, so if you follow all the steps, you can’t go wrong.
Understanding the question
I’ve highlighted in bold, the key words from the information provided.
The first sentence: Your council wants your views about the leisure centre for young people in your area.
The second sentence: The council also wants ideas for improvements to what is already available and has some money to spend on new facilities.
Please write a report for the council. Your report should include sections on:
1. Current facilities and how they can be improved
2. New facilities that would be popular
3. Why these ideas would improve young people’s lives.
How are you being assessed?
You’re being assessed on your ability to show you can use the form appropriate language and structure for the task.
Audience, purpose and form
The audience is who you’re writing to.
The purpose is the reason why you are writing.
The form is the type of text you will use and how it is organised e.g., letter, article or report.
· Audience: the council
· Purpose: to find out how the leisure centre’s facilities can be improved for young people
· Form: report
Language
The register for this task should be formal because it is a report. The language should be clear and easy to understand without emotive language, humour and slang because you are presenting facts in a non-biased way. You should also avoid using contractions because it creates an informal tone.
Structure
A report has a clearly defined structure. It should have an introduction, main body and conclusion. In addition to this, it should have the following features:
• A heading
• Subheadings to break up the sections.
Introduction
The introduction should have a brief sentence, which introduces the main purpose of the report. This only needs to be a couple of sentences.
The main body
The main body of the report is where you’ll focus on the main bullet points listed in the writing task, and your paragraphs should be broken up with clear subheadings focusing on each bullet point.
Pay attention to the verbs at the beginning of each bullet point because they’re instructing you to do something: describe, give your ideas, explain.
Word count
It’s important to try to meet the required word count because you’re awarded marks for writing in sufficient detail. You can meet the required word count by using the subheadings as your guide. The subheading is a section you will write about.
Sample answer
Improvement to leisure facilities for young people in Haringey
This report has been requested by Haringey council to provide an assessment of the current leisure facilities in the borough for young people. The council has a sum of money to invest in new facilities and want to know how the current facilities could be improved and what new ones should be provided.
Current leisure facilities for young people in Haringey
Currently, there are a lack of facilities for young people in the borough. In the last ten years, government funding for youth programmes and activities has been drastically reduced, with 80% of government funded youth clubs closing in the last five years.
There is a local leisure centre that provides activities for 14- to 20-year-olds: they have access to a gym, basketball and badminton court, and a football pitch during half-term, summer holidays and after school. However, there is a fee and no concessions for under-privileged children. There is also a local sports centre, which primarily focuses on athletics, martial arts and roller skating. This leisure centre is a popular venue amongst local young people and more of such facilities should be available.
Improvements to current facilities
The current facilities could be improved if more funding was provided to expand the sports centre to cater for a larger capacity of young people. In addition, it requires up-to-date equipment and the running track needs replacing.
New facilities
Opening new youth clubs in the area would help to take the pressure off the leisure centre, which is currently the only place for young people to go. However, if this is not a possibility, then the leisure centre should have a new games room and should provide additional activities such as performing arts, music and excursions.
How the new facilities will improve young people’s lives
Re-opening youth clubs in the area would be most advantageous because it will give young people the opportunity to socialise, have access to mentors and become involved in a range of activities such as performing arts, painting and so on.
Furthermore, youth clubs include trips to museums and theatres, and they arrange for young people to go camping and sometimes to visit other countries. These are excellent cultural enrichment activities, which would especially benefit those children from lower income families because there are subsidised through government funding.
