Report / Newspaper Article - Gabriel's 11+ Writing Lab

Task Type: Report / Newspaper Article

What's the Task?

Report writing, often in the style of a newspaper article, is about presenting facts clearly and concisely. Imagine you're a journalist reporting on an exciting event, like the discovery of a new species of glowing frog in a remote cave, or an eyewitness account of a daring mountain rescue. Your job is to inform the reader about what happened, who was involved, where and when it took place, and why it's important. You need to use formal language and stick to the facts, avoiding personal opinions unless you're quoting someone.

Exam Success Checklist

To write an effective report or newspaper article, focus on:

Headline: Does it grab the reader's attention and summarise the main news? (Short, punchy, often uses strong verbs).
Opening Paragraph (Lead): Does it answer the key questions: Who? What? Where? When? Why? (The 5 Ws). Get the most important information in first.
Factual Information: Is the report based on facts rather than opinions? Are details presented clearly and accurately?
Quotes (Optional but good): Have you included quotes from witnesses or experts (you can invent these!) to add interest and credibility? Use quotation marks correctly.
Formal Language: Is the tone objective and informative? Avoid slang or overly casual language.
Clear Paragraphs: Does each paragraph focus on a specific aspect of the event or information?
Structure (Inverted Pyramid): Have you put the most important information at the beginning and less crucial details later on? (See strategy below).
Correct SPaG: Check Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar carefully.

Jungle Times

Rare Cloud Leopard Spotted Near Mount Cinder

By G. Reporter

ANYTOWN – 3rd May 2025: An incredibly rare Cloud Leopard, an animal thought to be locally extinct, was sighted yesterday near the base of the treacherous Mount Cinder, sparking excitement among conservationists. The sighting occurred during a routine survey by the Anytown Wildlife Watch group.

Lead surveyor, Dr. Aris Thorne, described the encounter. "We were checking camera traps around midday when we saw movement in the dense bamboo forest," he explained. "At first, we thought it was a common jungle cat, but then it stepped into a patch of sunlight. The distinctive cloud-like markings on its coat were unmistakable. It was breathtaking."

The Cloud Leopard, known for its elusive nature and arboreal skills, hasn't been officially recorded in the Mount Cinder region for over fifty years due to habitat loss and poaching. The sighting suggests a small population may still survive in the remote, unexplored foothills.

"This is hugely significant," commented Lena Petrova, head of regional conservation charity 'Wild Futures'. "It gives us hope and strengthens the case for increased protection of the Mount Cinder National Park area. We must act now to ensure these magnificent creatures have a future here."

Wildlife Watch plans to deploy more sophisticated monitoring equipment in the area immediately. Local authorities have been alerted and urged to increase patrols against illegal logging activities which threaten the leopard's potential habitat.

Why it works: Catchy headline. Opening paragraph covers the 5 Ws. Factual and informative tone. Includes quotes from invented experts (Dr. Thorne, Lena Petrova). Follows the inverted pyramid structure (most important info first). Uses formal language.

Report Strategy: The Inverted Pyramid

Newspaper articles often use a structure called the 'Inverted Pyramid'. Imagine an upside-down triangle:

Top (Widest Part): The Lead - The most important information. Answers Who, What, Where, When, Why. Summarises the key event.
Middle: Key Details - More information, background context, quotes from people involved, supporting facts.
Bottom (Narrowest Point): Extra Info - Less essential details, related information, future plans. (If an editor needs to shorten the article, they cut from the bottom up).

Start your report with the absolute must-know facts, then add more detail in the following paragraphs.

Diagram showing an inverted pyramid structure for news reports: Most important info at the top, least important at the bottom.

Structure your report like an inverted pyramid!

Ready to Practise?

Become a journalist! Report on an exciting discovery or event (maybe an animal escaping, a lost city found, or a successful rescue mission). Use the Inverted Pyramid structure. Find prompts in the Practice Zone!

Scribbles the monkey mascot dressed as a reporter with a notepad

Monkebius says: "Get the big news out first! Answer the 5 Ws right away, just like a top reporter chasing a scoop!"