Report text – definition, characteristics, structure, and example

What is report text?

Essentially, report text is a text that presents information in a clear and factual manner.

Wondering what that means?

It means that the content of a report text offers information about a particular subject, such as animals, places, events, or anything else, in a general way and according to the actual condition of the subject. For instance,if the topic is about endangered species, the text will inform readers about the species’ vulnerable status and the factors contributing to it.

It’s worth mentioning that report texts have some commonalities with descriptive texts. Both of these English writing styles offer information about a subject, such as people, animals, places, events, or other items. Furthermore, the primary function of both text types is to deliver factual information for the readers.

So, what sets them apart?

Descriptive texts concentrate on depicting a specific subject in detail, while report texts provide a broader perspective on a general topic. For example, a descriptive text might discuss “My Favorite Park,” exploring the park’s unique features, such as its size, the variety of plants and trees, available amenities, and so on. In contrast, a report text on “Parks” would offer a more general understanding of parks, discussing elements like their purpose, common facilities, benefits for the community, and types of parks that exist.

To summarize, report text maintains objectivity whereas descriptive text can be more subjective!

Report text’s language features

1. General nouns

Report texts often contain general nouns because they aim to provide objective and factual information about a broad subject rather than focusing on specific details or personal experiences. By using general nouns, report texts offer a comprehensive overview of a topic, making the information more accessible and applicable to a wider audience.

General nouns refer to words that denote a group or class of things, instead of a singular instance or individual item. For instance, when discussing transportation, a report text might utilize general nouns like “cars,” “trains,” or “bicycles” to encompass the various modes of transport available.

Incorporating general nouns in report texts enables the author to present a well-rounded and objective perspective on the subject matter.

2. Linking verbs

Linking verbs are important in report texts because they help connect the main idea of a sentence with more information about it. They make the text easy to understand for readers.

Linking verbs are words that join the main subject of a sentence with extra information that gives more details about it. Some common linking verbs include “be” (am, is, are, was, were), “seem,” “appear,” “become,” “feel,” “look,” “sound,” and “taste.”

In report texts, linking verbs help to share clear and simple information about a general topic. They show the connection between the main idea and its features, for example, in a report text about coral reefs, you might find a sentence “Coral reefs are diverse ecosystems that support a wide variety of species.” In this case, the linking verb “are” connects the subject “coral reefs” with the subject complement “diverse ecosystems,” providing essential information about the nature of coral reefs.

By incorporating linking verbs in report texts, authors can effectively convey information, relationships, and descriptions, enabling readers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

3. Present Tense

Report texts typically use the present tense because they aim to provide general, factual information about a subject that is considered to be true or relevant now and in the future. 

To give you a refresher. the present tense is used to describe actions, events, or situations that are happening now, or general truths and facts that don’t change over time.

For example, in a report text about the benefits of exercise, an author might use the present tense to write, “Exercise improves our physical and mental health.” This statement conveys a general truth about exercise that applies to people now and will continue to be true in the future.