Skills for Life Teaching Resources

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• Writing Levels 1 and 2
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  3. Skills Development
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• Speaking and Listening Entry 1-3
• Speaking and Listening Levels 1 and 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skills for Life Writing Levels 1 and 2 – Reports

 

Task Description

A report is written after an event or about existing facilities. It usually contains a factual account of the event or description of the facilities and recommendations for changes in the future. A report is usually written for a “superior”, for example, your boss or the principal of your college or for a group of peers, for example, colleagues or members of the same sports club.

 

 

	Language	The language of reports tends to be more formal because the reason for writing tends to be more serious. Reports should not be “chatty”.
		Style	This tends to be practical and precise, both the factual and subjective parts.
		Register	This tends to be unmarked to formal.
		Functions	Most reports will have language of description, explanation, justification and suggestion or recommendation.
		Vocabulary	This should be directly related to the topic.
	Organisation	You want to identify this piece of writing as a report as soon as possible and a good layout and organisation can do this.
		Headings	Many reports have a similar beginning to a memorandum with three things identified: the recipient, the writer and the subject. Headings can also be useful in identifying what you are writing about.
		Paragraphs	Don’t forget an introduction, body and conclusion.
			Introduction	The first paragraph should identify why you are writing and what the report is about.
			Body	Paragraphs should be clearly defined, not too short and not too long with suitable linking devices. Headings could identify the topic of each paragraph.
			Conclusion	This should be recommendations for change based on what has been said in the body.

 

Understanding the Task

To understand better how candidates need to approach this task, it may help you to do the activity yourself and analyse what you had to do to find the right answer.

 

Look at the sample reports task on pages 9-11 of this Skills for Life Writing Level 2 sample paper. Complete the task, thinking about how you are doing it.

 

Sample writing paper

 

Things to consider

Now look at these questions about how you approached the task and consider your answers.

1. Who are you?
2. Who are you writing to?
3. What are you writing about?
4. How will you organise your writing?
5. What register and style should you use?
6. What kind of language should you use?
7. What vocabulary would be suitable?