Report Writing

Report Writing (Newspaper Report / Report for a School Magazine)

A report is a factual, objective account of an event that has already happened - written for a newspaper or a school magazine. It carries about 5 marks, word limit 120-150 words. It is written in the past tense and the third person, and reports facts, not opinions.

When it is used: covering a function, competition, seminar, sports day, blood-donation camp, accident, or an inauguration.

Exact format

HEADLINE              (short, bold, informative)
by <Name>, <designation / place>   (by-line)
[Dateline: Place, Date - for a newspaper report]
Para 1 - the lead: answers What, When, Where, Who in one or two sentences.
Para 2 - details: how the event unfolded, chief guest, highlights, figures.
Para 3 - closing: outcome, remarks, vote of thanks.

A newspaper report opens with a dateline and is strictly impersonal; a school-magazine report may be slightly warmer but stays factual. Always use reported (past) tense: "was held", "were present", "addressed the gathering".

CBSE marking scheme (5 marks)

• Format - 1 mark: headline + by-line (+ dateline for a newspaper report).
• Content - 2 marks: the 5 W's answered + relevant, ordered detail.
• Expression - 2 marks: accuracy (1) + coherent, objective reporting (1).

Model example (abridged)

Annual Science Exhibition Draws Record Crowd

by Sneha Rao, School Reporter

Pune, 5 August 2026 - The Annual Science Exhibition of Delhi Public School was held on 4 August 2026 in the school grounds, attracting over a thousand visitors.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr A. K. Sinha, a senior scientist from NCL, who praised the students' innovative working models. More than sixty projects, ranging from solar-powered devices to a model of a smart city, were displayed by students of Classes IX to XII. The robotics stall drew the largest crowd. …