Non-Chronological Report Writing: Facts as They Are

Non-chronological report writing is probably one of the first types of writing you face at school. Writing non-chronological reports does not presuppose to deep insight into or analysis of the issue at hand. When writing non-chronological reports, you aim at simple enumeration of facts and data about a certain object or phenomenon.

Non-Chronological Report Writing: The Purpose

When writing a non-chronological report, the author aims at:

• reporting the facts the way they are;
• helping the reader understand the information by categorizing it;
• creating a precise and detailed information scheme.

Non-Chronological Report Writing: The Text Organization

Non-chronological report writing presents the information by gradually unfolding it from more generic to more specific:

• more general information in the opening part, e.g. crows are birds;
• more technical information, e.g. their Latin name is…;
• detailed description of the phenomenon, including its qualities (e.g. they are feathered), constituting parts and their functions (e.g. they use their beaks to…), and habits or behaviours (e.g. they nest in…).

Non-Chronological Report Writing: The Language

In non-chronological report writing the language is characterized by the following features:

• third person, present tense;
• logical rather than chronological organization;
• includes passive constructions;
• focused on generic subjects, not individual instances (e.g. hurricanes in general, not Hurricane Catherine);
• descriptive, precise, not emotional, language employing comparison and contrast.

Non-Chronological Report Writing: Writer Tips

• intrigue the audience by placing a question in the title (e.g. The Loch Ness Monster — Does It Exist?);
• research a wide range of sources to add an individual touch to your report;
• employ visuals, such as tables or diagrams, to map information.

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