Report Writing Class 12: Format, Model Reports and Marking Scheme

What Report Writing is about

Weightage: Section B (Creative Writing Skills, 18 of the 80 theory marks): Q6, 5 marks (format 1, organisation 1, content 2, accuracy 1), one of two with the article.Source: CBSE English Core (301) syllabus and sample paper 2026-27

In real board papers: asked in 2 of the 2 board papers we hold (2026 to 2026), on average 5 marks per paper. See the questions

Key concepts

Format: heading, byline, place and date

• Heading: short and informative, e.g. 'Science Exhibition Showcases Young Innovators'.
• Byline: 'By Mansi, Student Reporter' / 'By Prem Kumar, Secretary, Health Club'.
• Place and date line (for newspaper reports): 'New Delhi, 14 November 2026:' at the start of the first paragraph. For school magazine reports, give the date and venue clearly in the opening paragraph.

No salutation or sign-off.

Worked example

Write a heading and byline for a report by Hina Aziz on Yoga Day celebrations for the school magazine.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Informative heading.
2. Byline with role.

Answer: 'School Celebrates International Yoga Day with Energy and Enthusiasm' / By Hina Aziz, Member, Editorial Board

Opening paragraph: the 5 Ws

The first paragraph answers what happened, when, where, who organised and took part, and why (purpose). Readers should understand the event from this paragraph alone.

Worked example

Write the opening sentence of a report on an inter-school science exhibition.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. What, who, where, when, why.

Answer: 'An inter-school science exhibition on the theme "Innovation for a Greener Tomorrow" was organised by Sunrise Public School in its auditorium on 10 November 2026 to encourage scientific thinking among students.'

Body: sequence of events and highlights

Describe the event in chronological order:

• inauguration (chief guest, lamp lighting),
• main activities (exhibits, performances, competitions, sessions),
• highlights (best exhibits, speakers, prize winners),
• participation (number of schools or students, if given).

Use linking phrases: 'The programme began with...', 'This was followed by...', 'Later...', 'The event concluded with...'.

Worked example

Arrange in order: (a) prize distribution (b) welcome address (c) presentation of exhibits (d) vote of thanks.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Chronological order.

Answer: (b) → (c) → (a) → (d).

Conclusion: outcome and impact

End with the result or impact: what participants learnt, the response, the message of the event, or plans for the future. A short quote from a chief guest or participant can add authenticity (keep it brief and plausible).

Worked example

Write a closing sentence for a report on a tobacco-free youth campaign.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Impact and message.

Answer: 'The campaign left students with a clear message and a pledge to keep themselves and their families tobacco-free.'

Style and word limit

• Past tense throughout: 'was organised', 'were awarded'.
• Objective: report what happened; avoid 'I think' (a brief closing impression is acceptable).
• Passive voice is common and natural.
• 120-150 words, usually three or four paragraphs.
• Do not write a speech or a diary entry.

Worked example

Change to report style: 'We are having a cleanliness drive and I am so excited!'

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Past tense.
2. Objective, third person.

Answer: 'A cleanliness drive was organised by the NSS unit, in which over a hundred students took part enthusiastically.'

Report Writing in real life

Each concept, met in an everyday situation. Read the situation, answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Topics in this chapter

• Newspaper Report of a School Event

Report Writing: key facts

Marking scheme

Format 1 + Organisation 1 + Content 2 + Accuracy 1 = 5

CBSE English Core (301), Q6.

Format

Heading + Byline (+ place and date line)

No salutation or closing.

Structure

1. 1.5 Ws opening
2. 2.Sequence of events and highlights
3. 3.Outcome and impact

Past tense; 120-150 words.

How the board asks Report Writing

The question patterns to expect, and the method that works for each.

Tricks to remember Report Writing

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

• 'H-B-5W-S-I'

  Heading, Byline, 5W opening, Sequence of events, Impact.

  Use it when: Full structure.

• Tense check

  Reports live in the past: was held, were awarded, concluded.

  Use it when: Accuracy mark.

• Report vs article

  Report = what happened (facts, past tense); article = what I think (analysis, views).

  Use it when: Choosing the format in Q6.

Report Writing: board-level solved questions

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Cover the solution, write your own, then compare step by step.

Where the marks are

How a typical answer is marked: the value points the examiner looks for and the marks each earns.

Where students lose marks in Report Writing

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

• ✗Mistake: Missing heading or byline

  ✓Do this: Always begin with a heading and 'By name, designation'.

  Usually costs: Format mark.

• ✗Mistake: Writing in present or future tense

  Wrong working

  The school is organising a science fair where students will display models.

  Right working

  The school organised a science fair where students displayed models.

  ✓Do this: Reports describe past events.

  Usually costs: Accuracy mark.

• ✗Mistake: Including personal opinions throughout

  ✓Do this: Keep the account objective; add at most a brief closing impression.

  Usually costs: Content and organisation.

• ✗Mistake: Leaving out the date, venue or purpose

  ✓Do this: Cover the 5 Ws in the first paragraph.

  Usually costs: Content mark.

• ✗Mistake: Listing events without sequence or impact

  ✓Do this: Use time linkers and end with the outcome.

  Usually costs: Organisation mark.

Report Writing: previous year questions

• Asked in 2 of the 2 board papers we hold (2026 to 2026), on average 5 marks per paper; 2 questions in all, counting OR alternatives. In 3 of 3 sample papers.

Counted from the real papers on our previous year papers page, not estimated. Average marks are over every board paper we hold, with an OR pair counted once. Chapter tags are ours.

Every Report Writing question, by year

Practice questions on Report Writing

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

1. Q1 · 5 marks · Long answerBoard level

   Your school organised a 'Tastes of India' Week to introduce students to the diversity of Indian cuisine. As a student reporter, write a report in 120-150 words.

   Hint

   Daily themes, stalls, chief guest, impact.

   Answer

   Model points: heading, byline; dates and purpose; activities (regional food stalls, cooking demonstrations, quiz on food heritage, talk by a chef); participation; chief guest; impact (appreciation of unity in diversity, healthy traditional foods).

2. Q2 · 5 marks · Long answerBoard level

   Write a report in 120-150 words on a blood donation camp organised by your school's NSS unit with a city hospital.

   Hint

   Donors, units, doctors.

   Answer

   Model points: heading, byline; date, venue, organisers; registration and screening; number of donors (staff, parents, senior students above 18) and units collected if given; doctors' talk; certificates; message about voluntary donation.

3. Q3 · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level

   As a correspondent of a local daily, report in 120-150 words on a heavy rainfall that caused waterlogging in your town.

   Hint

   Place-date line; effects; authorities' action.

   Answer

   Model points: heading; byline; place and date line; extent of rain and waterlogged areas; traffic jams, closed schools, power cuts; relief measures by authorities; residents' complaints about drainage; call for better planning. Avoid invented exact figures unless given.

4. Q4 · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level

   Write a report in 120-150 words on an inter-house debate competition held in your school.

   Hint

   Topic, judges, winners.

   Answer

   Model points: heading, byline; date, venue, topic; participants from each house; judges; highlights of arguments; result (best speaker, winning house); prize distribution; impact on students' confidence and thinking.

5. Q5 · 5 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

   Your school adopted a nearby village for a week-long literacy and hygiene drive. Write a report in 120-150 words assessing what was done and its likely impact.

   Hint

   Activities plus a balanced conclusion.

   Answer

   Model points: heading, byline; dates, village, purpose; activities (reading classes for children and adults, hygiene awareness, distribution of soap, cleaning drive); response of villagers; challenges; follow-up plans; balanced closing on lasting impact.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1. 1.What is the word limit for a report?Show answer

   120-150 words.

2. 2.What makes up the format?Show answer

   A heading and a byline (with place and date for newspaper reports).

3. 3.Which tense is used?Show answer

   Past tense.

4. 4.What should the first paragraph contain?Show answer

   The 5 Ws: what, when, where, who, why.

5. 5.How are the 5 marks split?Show answer

   Format 1, organisation 1, content 2, accuracy 1.

Quick revision checklist

The night before the exam: can you do each of these without looking?

• ☐Can you write a heading and byline?
• ☐Can you cover the 5 Ws in the opening?
• ☐Can you describe events in chronological order?
• ☐Can you end with the outcome or impact?
• ☐Do you write consistently in the past tense within 120-150 words?

Report Writing: frequently asked questions