WHAT ARE THE PARTS OF A REPORT? - LITERATURE - 2025

The parts of a report are the headline, opening paragraph or entry, body of the report and final paragraph. The report is an informative text in which a specific topic is developed. It is a journalistic genre that narrates the events or facts of any type of action. It is a documentary work planned and organized in clearly distinguishable parts.

The reports are longer and more complete than the news and are usually accompanied by interviews, or images that give the news greater truth and body. The subject that the report can deal with is varied; real events of a general nature, related to society, travel, sports, politics, economy, etc.

Example of a newspaper report

The key to a good story is that it attracts the reader's attention. They can refer to some news that has transpired and through the report it is analyzed in more depth.

The reports usually use broadcast channels from traditional media, such as television, radio and magazines. They are created by providing data, testimonials, expert statements and photographs.

Structure of a report

The reports, in general, are divided into four parts:

1- Holder

As in the news, the headline can be accompanied by a pretitle and a subtitle. This part of the report is where the information about what the report is about is exposed. The headline has to arouse the reader's attention or curiosity.

2- Initial paragraph or entry

The opening paragraph, like the headline, has to hook the reader. In this part of the report the summary of the same is presented.

That is, the list or sequence of points in the report. In addition, it has to be descriptive, this means that it has to outline the place where the action takes place, or a small description of the situation or fact.

It is good that it is also used in a contrasted way, putting two situations first and indicating what has changed. And a quote from one of the characters or experts participating in the report is also usually included.

It is important that in the opening paragraph the context in which the report is carried out is clear. In addition to a small development of the facts.

In this part of the report it is clear what type of report is being carried out:

• If it is scientific in nature and highlights developments and discoveries.
• If on the other hand it has an explanatory character and focuses on transcendent events of a news item.
• Investigative in nature if you inquire about unknown facts in a news item, in this type of report it is very important to cite the sources.
• Human interest, if it is focused on a specific person.
• We continue with the formal one, which is very similar to news.
• The narrative report is based on the narration of the subject using the form of a chronicle.
• The interpretive is one in which the writer explains the subject in an intelligent and understandable way for readers.
• The autobiographical if the reporter himself becomes the subject of his report. The informative one, where the inverted pyramid technique is used.
• And finally the descriptive, where the characteristics of the subject are related.

3- Body of the report

Within the body of the report we can distinguish several parts depending on which paragraph we are referring to. These paragraphs can be:

First paragraph or lead paragraph

It can also be found as the opening paragraph we talked about above, but this indicates the first paragraph of the body of the report that goes into a little more detail on the situation.

You can also develop the citation of any of the characters in the report or the experts who have been consulted for the writing of the report.

Introductory paragraphs

In these first paragraphs of the body of the report, the subject to be discussed is introduced in a limited way.

The points to be followed in the report are stated and in which aspect the body of the report will focus.

Contextualizing paragraphs

These paragraphs provide the historical context or concepts necessary to understand what the report is about.

They are necessary so that the reader understands the subject that is being treated in the report and obtain the necessary information regarding the central subject, before getting fully into it.

Information development paragraphs

It is at this point where we fully develop the topic to be discussed. This paragraph explains in detail the facts on which the report focuses.

In addition, citations are added, whether direct or indirect, of the people portrayed in the report, or of the experts consulted to offer their opinion on the subject and help the reader to gain a broader vision of the subject that is being treated.

It is at this point as well, where the statistics or data for comparison with other similar related topics are included.

It is important to include in these paragraphs the sources and citations on which we rely for the writing of the report.

Conclusion paragraph

In this last paragraph of the body of the report, the subject begins to close, which will be completely closed with the final paragraph.

A short summary of the topics that have been discussed is established, leading to the final paragraph.

4- Final paragraph

• The final paragraph offers a closing to the article. Offer a conclusion or invite the reader to reflect on the topic.
• The types of closure may vary depending on whether they are:
• A conclusion, where the reporter quickly summarizes the topic covered in the report.
• A suggestion; where the editor encourages the reader to take a position on the exposed story.
• A resounding closure, where the report closes definitively with a sentence.
• A moral, where the editor expects the reader to get a lesson from what is reflected in the report.

References

1. ULIBARRI, Eduardo. Idea and life of the report. Trillas, 1994.
2. HERRERA, Earle. The report, the essay: from one genre to another. Caracas, 1983.
3. RÍO REYNAGA, July. Interpretive journalism: the report. Mexico, 1994.
4. MARRERO SANTANA, Liliam. The multimedia report as a genre of current digital journalism. Approach to its formal features and content. Revista Latina de Comunicación Social, 2008, vol. 11, no 63.
5. LARRONDO-URETA, Ainara. The metamorphosis of reporting in cyberjournalism: concept and characterization of a new narrative model. 2009.
6. MONTORO, José Acosta. Journalism and literature. Guadarrama, 1973.
7. OSSA, César Mauricio Velásquez. Manual of journalistic genres. University of La Sabana, 2005.