Report

A report is a structured, factual document that presents information on a specific topic, event, or investigation to a designated audience. Unlike an essay, a report is objective, data-driven, and often includes specific elements like an executive summary, introduction, body, and conclusion with recommendations. Its purpose is to inform, analyze, and provide insights to aid in decision-making.

Reports vary widely in type and purpose. Informational reports simply convey facts and data without analysis (e.g., a monthly financial report), while analytical reports go a step further by interpreting data and proposing solutions to a problem (e.g., a feasibility study). They can also be categorized by audience—internal reports are for an organization’s employees, while external reports are for stakeholders outside the company. The key is that a well-written report is always clear, accurate, and tailored to its specific audience and objective.