IGCSE First Language English - NEWSPAPER REPORTS VS FORMAL REPORTS (EXTENDED WRITING Q3)

Summary

In this informative video, the presenter prepares students for IGCSE English exams by discussing the structures and purposes of newspaper and formal reports. Despite their rarity in recent exams, understanding these formats is crucial for effective writing. The video outlines key features of each report type, such as catchy headlines and the inverted pyramid structure for newspaper reports, and detailed assessments with recommendations for formal reports. Through clear examples and engaging explanations, viewers are encouraged to practice these skills to enhance their writing and perform confidently in their assessments.

Takeaways

• 😀 Preparing for newspaper and formal report writing is essential for IGCSE English success.
• 📰 Newspaper reports are factual accounts of newsworthy events, aiming to inform readers.
• 📝 A strong newspaper report includes a catchy headline and follows an inverted pyramid structure.
• 🔍 Direct speech and reported speech are important features to include in newspaper reports.
• 🏢 Formal reports evaluate business operations and identify areas for improvement.
• 📊 Recommendations and an unbiased tone are crucial components of formal reports.
• 📑 Subheadings help organize information effectively in formal reports.
• 📅 Complex sentences should be preferred over simple ones when writing formal reports.
• ⚖️ Both report types must maintain a factual and balanced perspective throughout.
• 🎓 Familiarity with the features and structures of each report type will enhance exam performance.

Q & A

What types of reports does the video focus on?

The video focuses on newspaper reports and formal reports.

Why does the speaker mention that newspaper and formal reports are unlikely to appear in exams?

The speaker notes that newspaper reports haven't appeared since 2019, and formal reports since 2018, but emphasizes the importance of being prepared just in case.

What is the primary purpose of a newspaper report?

The primary purpose of a newspaper report is to inform readers about the facts and details of a particular event.

What structure does a newspaper report typically follow?

A newspaper report typically follows an inverted pyramid structure, where the most important information is presented first, followed by less critical details.

What are some key features of a newspaper report mentioned in the video?

Key features of a newspaper report include a catchy headline, factual and balanced content, direct and reported speech, and the inclusion of facts and statistics.

Can you provide an example of a catchy headline from the video?

An example of a catchy headline provided in the video is 'Science Experiment Explosion Rocks High School Classroom.'

What distinguishes a formal report from a newspaper report?

A formal report is a detailed document that assesses a business's facilities and operations, focusing on evaluation and recommendations, while a newspaper report is more about informing the public about recent events.

What are the key components of a formal report's structure?

The key components of a formal report's structure include an introduction, a detailed assessment of problems, recommendations, and a conclusion.

What is one recommendation suggested for improving the conditions of IG Hangouts?

One recommendation is to establish a regular cleaning schedule for common areas to improve cleanliness.

Why is it important to practice writing in both newspaper and formal report formats?

It is important to practice writing in both formats to be well-prepared for potential exam questions and to enhance overall writing skills.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Understanding Newspaper and Formal Reports

In this part, the speaker discusses the importance of preparing for the IGCSE English exam, particularly regarding newspaper and formal reports. They note that while it is unlikely for these report types to appear on the exam (as they haven't been featured since 2018 and 2019), it is still essential for students to understand them. The speaker emphasizes the necessity of being able to write both types of reports to effectively tackle question three in the exam. The segment outlines the characteristics of newspaper reports, including their factual nature, impartiality, the need for a catchy headline, and the inverted pyramid structure where the most important information is presented first. A model newspaper report about a science experiment explosion is provided, showcasing elements such as eyewitness accounts, direct and reported speech, and a focus on safety concerns. The part concludes by transitioning into a discussion on formal reports.

Keywords

💡Newspaper Report

A newspaper report is a factual account of a recent event that is considered newsworthy enough to be published. In the video, it is highlighted as an important text type for students to understand, as they may encounter such questions in exams. The speaker provides an example of a newspaper report about a science experiment explosion, emphasizing the structure and key elements necessary for writing one.

💡Formal Report

A formal report is a detailed document that evaluates a business’s operations, facilities, and services, aiming to identify problems and suggest improvements. The video stresses the importance of knowing how to write formal reports since they may also appear in exams. An example provided is the assessment of a hostel's conditions, demonstrating the structured approach needed in formal reporting.

💡Inverted Pyramid Structure

The inverted pyramid structure is a writing format used in journalism where the most critical information is presented first, followed by supporting details and less important information. This structure is essential in newspaper reporting as it ensures that readers grasp the main points quickly. The speaker mentions this structure while discussing how to write a newspaper report, reinforcing its significance.

💡Catchy Headline

A catchy headline is a compelling title designed to grab readers' attention and summarize the report's main idea. In the context of the video, the speaker stresses its importance in newspaper reports, as a strong headline can entice readers to engage with the article. The example provided, 'Science Experiment Explosion Rocks High School Classroom,' illustrates how an effective headline captures the event's gravity.

💡Direct Speech

Direct speech refers to quoting someone's exact words, typically indicated by quotation marks. It adds authenticity and personal perspective to reports. The video discusses the use of direct speech in newspaper reports, showcasing how it enriches storytelling and provides eyewitness accounts, making the report more relatable and engaging.

💡Reported Speech

Reported speech involves paraphrasing what someone has said without quoting them directly. It is often used in journalism to convey information succinctly while maintaining objectivity. In the video, the speaker contrasts direct speech with reported speech, emphasizing its role in providing context and summarizing comments from eyewitnesses in a balanced manner.

💡Subheadings

Subheadings are headings within a report that divide the content into manageable sections, making it easier for readers to navigate and understand the information. In formal reports, subheadings help organize findings and recommendations. The speaker mentions their use in formal reports to enhance clarity and structure, aiding in the overall presentation of the document.

💡Recommendations

Recommendations are suggested actions or improvements based on findings in a report. They aim to address identified problems and guide future actions. The video highlights the importance of including clear recommendations in formal reports, using the hostel assessment example to illustrate how actionable advice can lead to better outcomes for the business.

💡Factual Account

A factual account is a narrative that presents verified information without bias or personal opinion. In the context of newspaper and formal reports, this approach is crucial for maintaining credibility and trustworthiness. The speaker emphasizes the need for factual accuracy in both types of reports, reinforcing the idea that objective reporting is essential for effective communication.

💡Impartial

Impartiality refers to presenting information fairly and without bias, ensuring that all sides of an issue are represented. The video underscores the necessity of being impartial when writing both newspaper and formal reports. By avoiding personal opinions and focusing on facts, writers can create balanced accounts that serve the audience's need for reliable information.

Highlights

The video introduces the purpose of helping students prepare for IGCSE First Language English.

The speaker expresses skepticism about the likelihood of newspaper or formal reports appearing in exams, citing their rarity.

The last newspaper report was mentioned to have appeared in 2019 and a formal report in 2018.

Students are encouraged to prepare for writing both types of reports despite their rarity.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of being able to write in different text types for exam success.

A newspaper report is defined as a factual account of a recent newsworthy event.

Key purposes of newspaper reports include informing readers about events and providing detailed accounts.

The structure of a newspaper report is described as an inverted pyramid, with important information at the top.

An example newspaper report about a science experiment explosion illustrates key features.

Direct and reported speech are emphasized as important components in newspaper reports.

Formal reports are introduced as detailed documents assessing a business's operations and services.

The purpose of formal reports is to evaluate business standards and highlight problems with recommendations.

Key features of formal reports include factual content, unbiased language, and structured sections with subheadings.

An example formal report about a hostel highlights areas needing improvement, including cleanliness and safety.

The speaker provides clear recommendations for improvements in both the newspaper and formal reports.

The video concludes with encouragement for students to practice writing in various formats to enhance their exam readiness.

Transcripts

foreign

[Music]

[Applause]

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hey what's up guys and welcome back to

IGCSE success your One-Stop shop for

everything first language English now if

truth be known I wasn't going to make

this video because I do think it's very

unlikely that Cambridge are going to

give you a newspaper report or a formal

report but it could happen and the last

thing I want you to do is be sitting

there hoping that the ground opens up

and swallows you whole in fact I think

the last time that a newspaper report

came up was 2019 and the last time a

formal report came up was 2018. I could

be wrong however I did spend a

considerable amount of time looking

through past papers trying to find a

newspaper reporter of formal report and

I just couldn't find any recent ones

that said because they haven't come up

in such a long time they could come up

because they are two prescribed text

types that you guys need to know so with

this in mind I have created a very short

video looking at newspaper reports and

formal report looking at the differences

is the purposes and I've written two

complete models for you should they come

up and I've said this a million times

before if you cannot write in each of

the text types how on Earth can you

answer a question three successfully so

enough waffling let's get on with

looking at newspaper reports and formal

reports how exciting right guys let's

get started I don't want this video to

be super long like my last one report

writing and you'll notice if you take a

look at the screen grabs on your screen

right now they both say read passage a

so we're talking 2019 and before so it's

been a long time since newspaper reports

and formal reports have come up but as

mentioned before it might be the perfect

time for them to to come up so it's

really important that you do prepare you

do have a go at writing a formal report

and a newspaper report so that you can

answer a question three on both of these

text types okay newspaper reports 101

I'm gonna whiz through this really quick

clay apologies if this is teaching

Grandma to suck eggs I do apologize what

is a newspaper report well a newspaper

report is a written it's a factual

account of a recent event and said event

is deemed newsworthy enough to be

published in a newspaper

why why what is the purpose of newspaper

reports well they inform readers about

facts and details of a particular event

and how do we craft a newspaper report

well they're factual as I mentioned

before they're balanced they're

impartial I don't know where the L's

gone they include a catchy headline

facts and statistics interviews

um in the way of direct speech and

reported speech and they follow this

inverted pyramid structure and that is

the phrase that journalists like to use

basically it means that the most

important information is at the top and

the least important information is at

the bottom of course there are other

features but these are really the nuts

and bolts of a newspaper report and

there's the inverted pyramid right hand

side anyway let's take a read of a model

starting with a catchy headline

science experiment explosion rocks high

school classroom

yesterday a science experiment at a

local high school turned disastrous when

an explosion rocked the classroom the

incident which occurred during a routine

experiment in a chemistry class left

students and teachers shaken and raised

concerns about the safety of science

experiments in schools according to

eyewitness accounts the experiment

involved a combination of chemicals and

had been going smoothly until suddenly

there was a loud explosion the force of

the blast shattered glass and knocked

over equipment causing chaos in the

classroom

several students were injured in the

blast although none of the injuries were

serious

it was like something out of a movie

said one student who witnessed the

explosion there was a loud bang and then

everything started shaking another

student commented that it was a truly

terrifying experience Emergency Services

were called to the scene and the injured

students were taken to the hospital for

treatment the school has launched an

investigation into the incident and has

temporarily suspended all science

experiments in tall safety protocols can

be reviewed so you'll notice I have put

a number of things in red let's have a

look at the different features I have

included well some of the features I've

included we have a catchy title I've

mentioned before we have embedded

Clauses so that's the extra information

between two commas starting with a

relative pronoun very typical of

newspaper reports we've got journalistic

phrases according to eyewitness accounts

comma so a complex sentence there past

tense throughout

we've got direct speech there and we've

got reported speech observe the

differences guys essentially reported

speech quite often has been paraphrased

the incident has also raised questions

about the safety of science experiments

in schools and the need for better

training and safety measures for both

students and teachers it's important

that we take a step back and review our

safety protocol said a spokesperson for

the school we want to ensure that our

students and staff are safe and and that

incidence like this never happen again

the incident has sent shock waves

through the school Community with many

expressing their concern and calling for

stricter safety measures the school has

assured parents and students that they

are taking the incident seriously and

will take all necessary steps to ensure

the safety of everyone in the school as

the investigation continues many are

left wondering what could have caused

the explosion and what could have been

done to prevent it the incident serves

as a reminder of the potential dangers

of science experiments and the

importance of safety protocols in

schools so again we've got direct speech

there and you should aim to Pepper your

direct speech or reported speech

throughout your piece we've got that

inverted pyramid structure so the

additional information the least

important if you like information comes

towards the end and your final paragraph

quite often is written in present tense

what is being done about said problem

what's going to happen next so let's

swiftly move on to formal reports what

is a formal report well it is a detailed

document that provides a comprehensive

assessment of a businesses facilities

operations and services why what is the

purpose well it seeks to evaluate a

business's standards and Regulation and

highlights any problems and how to

rectify these problems so a business can

continue thriving and not simply

surviving how what the features that we

use well they are also factual they're

unbiased no flowery language discourse

markers they quite often have

subheadings to divide their findings up

facts and statistics throughout the

whole thing as well as a formal tone

throughout and the structure can be as

simple as introduction these are the

problems that were found and these are

the recommendations more on that later

let's take a read of a model response so

starting with the title assessing the

conditions of IG Hangouts see what I did

there a formal report starting with an

introduction IG hangout is a budget

friendly hostel that caters to

Backpackers and budget Travelers the

hostel is located in a popular tourist

destination and offers both dormitory

and private room options while the

hostel has received positive reviews for

its affordability some guests have

raised concerns about the cleanliness

and safety of the hostel this report

examines the conditions of IG hangout a

Backpacker hostel located in a popular

tourist destination and highlights areas

for improvements conditions let's read

some of the problems after conducting a

thorough inspection of IG hangout we

observe the following conditions firstly

the common areas including the kitchen

and Lounge were found to be unclean and

not up to acceptable safety standards

surfaces and Floors had visible dirt and

dust secondly there was a lack of

Maintenance with broken fixtures and

leaky Faucets in facilities such as the

showers and toilets thirdly we noted a

clear pest infestation with guest

reporting sightings of pests such as

cockroaches and mice in both their rooms

and common areas lastly ventilation

around the hostel was poor many of the

rooms were poorly ventilated with no

windows or inadequate air conditioning

leading to stuffy and uncomfortable

sleeping conditions so let's take a look

at some of the features that I have put

in red

so first of all we've got the title of

the report

subheading number one outlining the

business and purpose of report

subheading 2 outlining the problems

found during the inspection and lastly

discourse markers to structure your

ideas and to create that formal tone and

let's read the second half ending with

the recommendations and conclusions and

for recommendations you can bullet point

guys that is typical or formal reports

to improve the conditions of IG hang out

the following recommendations are

suggested cleaning the hostels should

establish a regular cleaning schedule

for common areas and ensure that all

services and floors are thoroughly

cleaned and sanitized maintenance the

hostel should conduct regular

maintenance checks to ensure that all

facilities including showers and toilets

are in good working condition Pest

Control the hostel should hire a pest

control company to eliminate any Pest

infestations and establish regular Pest

Control measures ventilation the hostel

should invest in proper ventilation

systems such as installing Windows or

improving air conditioning to provide

guests with comfortable sleeping

conditions ending with the conclusion IG

hangout Backpacker hostel is a

budget-friendly option for travelers but

the conditions of the Hostile need

Improvement dirty common areas lack of

Maintenance pest infestation and poor

ventilation are areas of concern that

should be addressed by implementing the

recommendations provided the hostel can

improve its conditions and provide a

more comfortable and safe environment

for its guests

so the final section for recommendations

as mentioned you can bullet end with a

conclusion what happens next and what I

didn't mention before take note of the

sentence types that you are using

complex sentences rather than simple

sentences are preferred when writing

formal reports and that's everything

guys uh I hope this video has been

useful let me know in the comments below

and I will try and churn out a couple

more videos before your exam next week

until next time bye-bye