There are two kinds of reports based on a survey: the assessment report and the proposal report. Besides those survey reports there are news reports (describing an event or topic of public interest) and experiences reports (usually in the form of an article describing personal experiences). The one you are about to write is the Assessment Report, in which, based on the results of a survey, you will assess the good and bad points of a certain topic.
Initially a questionnaire is created and so the survey is conducted. After that, the results will be tabulated and only then you'll have enough material to write your report. To view the questionnaire online access: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/embeddedform?formkey=dG1sSFVRTDlzbnBHSjlZbTdmaXBqT1E6MA
A survey report is normally a formal kind of writing based on research. It may be less formal depending on who it is addressed to (a friend, for example). A good report should consist of:
- an introduction in which you state the purpose and content of your report;
- a main body in which all information collected on the topic is presented in detail. You must use sub-headings to separate each piece of information; and
- a conclusion in which you summarise all points mentioned before. Your recommendation or suggestion(s) can be included as well.
- Before writing, consider who you are writing to. That will help you decide on the style (formal, semi-formal or informal)
- Decide on the title and then carefully plan the information you want to include in your report and divide it into sub-headings.
- Present tenses should be used in survey reports to introduce generalisations. Use a variety of reporting verbs such as: state, report, agree, claim, complain, etc., to introduce reported speech.
- Use number expressions such as: one in five, seven out of ten, thirty per cent of the people questioned, the majority of those questioned, a large proportion of, a minority of, etc., to report the results.
- Facts may be supported by generalisations, e.g. Fifty-five per cent of young people go to the cinema at least twice a month. (fact) This indicates that the cinema is still quite a popular form of entertainment among young people. (generalisation)
To introduce: The purpose of this report..., the aim of this report..., As requested..., This survey was carried out..., This survey was conducted...
To generealise: In general..., Generally..., On the whole...
To introduce other people's opinions: Many people consider..., Some people argue/claim/believe...
To conclude/summarise: In conclusion..., All things considered..., To sum up..., All in all...,
To recommend/suggest: In spite of the (dis)advantages, .../I would (not) recommend .../ ... is (not) recommended..../...is (not) suitable for...
To comment: Interestingly, Curiously, Oddly, Strangely, Surprisingly, Predictably, As might be (have been) expected,
CLOSER LOOK INTO FACTS AND GENERALISATIONS
- Facts can be presented in the form of percentages (ten per cent, two in ten, three out of ten, etc) or proportions (the majority/minority, a significant number, a large/the largest proportion, by far, a small number, etc)
- Generalisations are statements which help carify the facts. They can either precede or come after facts. depending on this position, facts and generalisations can be linked by using verbs either in their active or passive form, as shown in the examples:e.g.Only twenty per cent of students take post-graduate courses. This indicates/illustrates/implies/shows that most students prefer to pursue a career rather than to continue with their studies. This is indicated/illustrated/implied/shown by the fact that only twenty per cent take post graduate courses.
Leisure Facilities in Anytown
Purpose
The aim of this report is to describe and assess the leisure facilities available in Anytown. It is based on a survey conducted by the Anytown Tourist Office on views expressed by local people who were interviewed.
Sports
Anytown has a wide range of sports facilities, both public and private. There is a large modern leisure centre in the High Street and facilities include a swimming pool, a sports hall for judo, fencing and other activities, and tennins courts. The centre runs courses in all these sports and these tend to be very popular as nearly 90% of the locals attend at least one of these courses. Membership costs £100 a year, which was felt to be rather expensive by the vast majority of the people questioned, but a special temporary membership is available for visitors. The public swimming pool on the outskists of town at Downmarket is older, less attractive and often crowded, but entry is only 50p.
Theatres
There are two theatres in town, the Kings Theatre in Bee Street which offers mainly 'serious' drama and has a good reputation for its productions of Shakespeare plays, and the Little Theatre in Sea Street which specialises in lighter entertainment and the occasional pop concert. In general, slightly over a half of the people interviewed claimed that the Kings Theatre is more popular with the older members of the community while the Little appeals more to people in their teens, twenties and early thirties.
Museums and Art Galleries
The City Museum has an extensive collection of maps, pottery and other articles connected with Anytown's history. The attendants are said to be very friendly and helpful by 7 out of 10 people questioned. There is also a small cafe with reasonably priced home-made snacks. Interestingly, under 15% of the local Anytowners interviewed had ever been to the museum but it was highly recommended by far the largest proportion of tourists.
Suggestion
Anytown is well-provided with leisure facilities for a town of its size and these are well-used by the townspeople, on the whole. Sport seems to be the most popular leisure activity while cultural activities like visiting the museum or art gallery appeared to be the least popular amongst the Anytowners who were interviewed. Perhaps the City Council should consider lauching a publicity campaign to show how much these facilities have to offer.
