Functional Writing

1. Functional Writing Writing to Inform

2. The fOur elements of a good report: • Include only factual information. • Write in a formal style, using formal language. • Have a logical paragraph structure. • Have an appropriate introduction and conclusion.

3. Facts v. opinions Remember – a good report writer sticks to the facts! Look at the following pieces of information about the town of Ayr and decide which are FACTS and which are OPINIONS: • Approximately 50 miles from Glasgow. • There is a variety of souvenir shops. • The ice cream sold there is tasteless – ugh! • There is a Robert Burns museum. • There is a horrible smell of seaweed. • There is a long, sandy beach.

4. formal style & language A report should be written in a formal style and use formal language. It should be written in the PRESENT TENSE.

5. LOGICAL STRUCTURE In a report you need to organise your information logically – grouping information together in ‘clusters’ or topics. Report writing requires you to cluster relevant information under key headings (you can use headings and sub-headings in your report). Separate topics should be dealt with in separate paragraphs / under different headings.

6. Introduction & conclusion • INTRODUCTION • The opening sentence of your report should introduce the topic. • Your introduction should then go on to outline which aspects of the topic will be dealt with in the rest of your report. • CONCLUSION • Unlike imaginative or personal writing, the ending of a report should be low-key. It often ends with a final point of information.