Write Reports with Headings and Subtopics
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What you will learn
- 1Organize a research report using a title, introduction, subtopics, and conclusion
- 2Write clear, specific headings for each section of a report
- 3Fill in appropriate subheadings for a given topic
Mini Lesson
A research report presents facts about a topic in an organized way. Unlike a story or an essay (a short piece of non-fiction on one topic), a report uses headings and subtopics to guide the reader through different sections. Each heading introduces a new aspect of the topic.
Report Structure
- Title — clear and informative; tells the reader exactly what the report covers.
- Introduction (intro) — introduces the topic and explains what the report will cover.
- Subtopics (2 or 3) — each subtopic paragraph has a bold heading and supporting facts.
- Conclusion — summarizes the main points and offers a closing thought.
Writing Good Headings
- Keep headings short — three to five words is ideal.
- Be specific: "How Volcanoes Form" is better than "More Information".
- Use bold text so headings stand out from the body of the report.
- Match the heading to the paragraph beneath it exactly.
What Goes in Each Subtopic Paragraph?
- Start with a topic sentence that introduces the subtopic.
- Add two or three supporting facts from your notes.
- End with a linking sentence that connects to the next section or sums up.
Words to know
report
A written piece that shares information about a topic.
e.g. She wrote a report on the rainforest.
heading
A title for a section of writing.
e.g. "Habitat" is a heading in the report.
subtopic
A smaller part of a main topic.
e.g. "Food" is a subtopic of the topic "Animals".
introduction
The opening part that tells what the report is about.
e.g. The introduction names the topic and main points.
conclusion
The closing part that wraps up the main ideas.
e.g. The conclusion summed up what we learned.
organize
To put things in a clear order.
e.g. Organize your report into clear sections.
Tip: Plan your report before writing your first draft. Write your title, list your subtopics, then fill in the facts. A clear structure makes writing much easier.
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