Report Text, Definition, Function, Structure, Features, Diferences and Example
Definition of a Report Text:
A report text is a form of document crafted by an individual or a group to disclose the findings of an investigation or to communicate important information to the appropriate authorities. The content within a report text generally encompasses broad information.
Purpose of a Report Text:
The primary objective of a report text is to convey general information about a subject. It typically provides a depiction of the state of various aspects in our environment, encompassing natural, human-made, and societal phenomena, such as mammals, planets, rocks, plants, regional countries, cultures, and transportation.
The General Characteristics of a Report Text:
The characteristics of a report text are identifiable through its standard structures and linguistic features. These features are outlined below.
Generic Structures:
- Title: The title of a report text outlines the topic of the content and is presented in a broad manner.
- General Classification: This section defines the overall classification of a general aspect of the subject, such as animals, public spaces, plants, etc. It is discussed in a comprehensive manner.
- Description: This part offers a detailed depiction of the subject matter, encompassing aspects like parts (and their functions), qualities, habits, and behaviors.
Linguistic Features:
- A report text employs a focus on general participants.
- It employs both relating verbs and action verbs. For instance, relating verb: "Reptiles are scaly animals," action verb: "Birds fly in the sky."
- The text employs the simple present tense, for instance, "Platypus lives in streams, male platypus does not require a burrow."
- The language utilized is of a scientific nature, for instance, "water contains oxygen and hydrogen."
- Conditionals and logical connectives are utilized, such as "but," "on the other hand," etc.
Differences between Report Text and Descriptive Text:
While certain types of text might appear similar, such as a report and a descriptive text, they possess subtle distinctions in terms of their social function and generic structure. The purpose of both text types is to offer a vivid portrayal of the object/participant. However, the scope of the object being discussed differs between the two. A report text presents a more generalized view, while a descriptive text narrows down the focus to specific characteristics, such as color, length, and other distinct features.
Example of a Report Text
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy. It is the capital of region Veneto. Together with Padua, the city is included in the Padua-Venice Metropolitan Area. Venice has been known as the “Queen of the Adriatic”, “City of Water”, “City of Bridges”, and “The City of Light”. The city stretches across 117 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy.
Venice is world-famous for its canals. It is built on an archipelago of 117 islands formed by about 150 canals in a shallow lagoon. The islands on which the city is built are connected by about 400 bridges. In the old center, the canals serve the function of roads, and every form of transport is on water or on foot.
You can ride gondola there. It is the classical Venetian boat which nowadays is mostly used for tourists, or for weddings, funerals, or other ceremonies. Now, most Venetians travel by motorized waterbuses (“vaporetti”) which ply regular routes along the major canals and between the city’s islands. The city also has many private boats. The only gondolas still in common use by Venetians are the traghetti, foot passenger ferries crossing the Grand Canal at certain points without bridges.
You can see the amusing city’s landmarks such as Piazza San Marco, Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, Saint Mark’s Cathedral or villas of the Veneto. The villas of the Veneto, rural residences for nobles during the Republic, are one of the most interesting aspects of Venetian countryside. They are surrounded by elegant gardens, suitable for fashionable parties of high society. The city is also well known for its beautiful and romantic view, especially at night.
