EnglishCBSE Class 12 · Report Writing

Newspaper Report of a School Event, Class 12

Updated 17 October 2026 · Draft, not yet fact-checked

A report is a factual account of an event that has already taken place, 120-150 words for 5 marks in Question 6, Section B: format 1, organisation 1, content 2, accuracy 1. Use a heading, a byline (By name, designation), a place and date opening, the 5 Ws and H in order, past tense, and an outcome.

Notice the order: heading, byline, then place and date opening the first paragraph, events in sequence, and an outcome, all in past tense.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Newspaper Report of a School Event

What a report is. A report tells readers what happened at an event: a function, exhibition, camp, competition or drive. It is factual and objective. It is different from an article, which analyses a topic of general interest. In Question 6 you may be asked for either.

Format (1 mark).
1. Heading: short, factual, in capitals or title case, such as Eco Club Plants 200 Saplings.
2. Byline: By your name, with a designation such as Reporter or Secretary.
3. Place and date: often as the opening of the first paragraph, such as Jaipur, 14 November 2026 -.

There is no address, salutation or closing.

Content (2 marks): the 5 Ws and H. Who organised and attended, what happened, when, where, why, and how it was conducted. A good report places the key facts in the first paragraph and the details afterwards.

Organisation (1 mark). Use three or four short paragraphs:
1. Opening: place and date, what, who, where, why.
2. Events in sequence: what happened in order, with highlights such as the chief guest, speeches, performances or prizes.
3. Outcome and impact: results, response of the audience, a short quotation if you wish.

Language (1 mark). Past tense, passive or third person, objective. Do not give personal opinions apart from a short closing observation. Names and numbers must be consistent. Quotations from a speaker are written in reported or direct form: The Principal said that the drive had taught students teamwork.

Word control. Opening about 40 words, body about 60, outcome about 35.

Common slips. Writing in the present tense, adding opinions, forgetting the date, leaving out the outcome, and writing an invitation or a notice instead of a report.

Newspaper Report of a School Event: rules and format

1
Heading and byline are the format
Eco Club Plants 200 Saplings
By Kavya Menon, Secretary, Eco Club
No address, salutation or closing.
2
Open with place, date and the main facts
Pune, 14 November 2026 - The Eco Club of Greenfield School organised a plantation drive...
Cover who, what, where, when, why in the opening.
3
Use the past tense and an objective voice
The Chief Guest inaugurated the drive and planted the first sapling.
Avoid I, we and personal opinions.
4
Keep events in order
Welcome, inauguration, activities, vote of thanks.
Chronological order earns the organisation mark.
5
End with the outcome or impact
In all, 200 saplings were planted.
A short quotation can be added.
6
Stay within 120-150 words
Three or four paragraphs.
Count only the report text.

Newspaper Report of a School Event: key facts

Marking scheme: Format 1
Organisation 1
Content 2
Accuracy 1
Total 5 marks; CBSE English Core (301): 120-150 words.
Format: Heading
Byline: By name, designation
Place and date line; No salutation or closing.
Structure: Opening with 5 Ws and H
Sequence of events and highlights
Outcome and impact; Past tense.
Word split: Opening 40
Events 60
Outcome 35
Total 125-140; Adjust to stay within 120-150.

How to answer Newspaper Report of a School Event questions

Use this routine to write a report in about ten minutes.

1Read the input and list the facts: event, organiser, date, venue, guests, activities, results.
2Write the heading and the byline with your designation.
3Write the opening with place, date and the 5 Ws.
4Write the sequence of events in the past tense, with the highlights.
5Write the outcome and impact, adding a short quotation if given.
6Count words: 120-150. Check the tense throughout.

Newspaper Report of a School Event in real life

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

Reporting facts without opinions

Suppose a student writes in a report on the annual day: The dance was wonderful and the principal gave a boring speech.

Rewrite the sentence in an objective report style.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Remove opinion words such as wonderful and boring.
State what happened and what the audience did.
Use the past tense.

Answer: A group dance by Class IX drew loud applause, and the Principal addressed the gathering for ten minutes on the value of discipline.

Memory hook: A report shows what happened, not what you felt.

Tricks to remember Newspaper Report of a School Event

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

5 Ws and H
Who, What, When, Where, Why, How.
Use it when: The opening paragraph checklist.
Past tense, third person
Everything has already happened, and you stand outside it.
Use it when: Check the tense before submitting.
H-B-P: Heading, Byline, Place
Three items for the format mark.
Use it when: Write them first.

Newspaper Report of a School Event: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Tense of a report · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

In which tense is a report of an event usually written?
(a) Future (b) Present (c) Past (d) Present continuous

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

A report describes an event that has already taken place, so it uses the past tense (1 mark).

Answer: (c) Past

Example 2: Write the opening line · 1 mark · Very short answerBoard level

Write the opening line of a report for an inter-house quiz held at Sunrise School, Kota, on 12 February 2027.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Place and date first, then the event, in the past tense (1 mark).

Answer: Kota, 12 February 2027 - The inter-house quiz was held at Sunrise School today.

Example 3: Report on a plantation drive · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level

You are Kavya/Kabir, Secretary of the Eco Club of Greenfield School, Pune. The club organised a tree plantation drive on 14 November 2026 in which 200 saplings were planted by 120 students. Write a report for your school magazine in 120-150 words.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Format (1): heading, byline, place and date.
Organisation (1): opening, events, outcome.
Content (2): 5 Ws and H, sequence, outcome.
Accuracy (1): past tense.

Answer: Eco Club Plants 200 Saplings
By Kavya/Kabir, Secretary, Eco Club

Pune, 14 November 2026 - The Eco Club of Greenfield School organised a tree plantation drive on the school grounds and the nearby hillside on Saturday to spread awareness of the need for green cover.

The drive began at 8 a.m., when the Principal inaugurated it by planting a neem sapling. One hundred and twenty students from Classes VIII to XII, divided into groups, dug pits, planted saplings and watered them under the guidance of teachers. A short talk was given on the care of young plants, and each group was made responsible for the saplings it had planted.

In all, 200 saplings were planted by noon. The Principal congratulated the students and said that the drive had taught them teamwork and responsibility. The club plans to monitor the saplings every month.

Example 4: Report on a science exhibition · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level

You are Rohit/Ritu, Reporter of the school magazine of Model School, Raipur. The school held a two-day science exhibition on 4 and 5 December 2026. Eighty projects were displayed by Classes VI to XII. The Chief Guest was Dr Anita Verma, an engineer. Write a report in 120-150 words.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Format (1).
Organisation (1).
Content (2): dates, number of projects, chief guest, highlights, outcome.
Accuracy (1).

Answer: Young Scientists Shine at Two-Day Exhibition
By Rohit/Ritu, Reporter

Raipur, 5 December 2026 - Model School held a two-day science exhibition on 4 and 5 December, in which eighty projects by students of Classes VI to XII were displayed in the school hall.

The exhibition was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Dr Anita Verma, an engineer, who encouraged students to ask questions and test their ideas. The projects covered themes such as renewable energy, water purification, waste management and models of the human heart. Students explained their working models to visitors, and teachers noted the clear presentations.

Parents and students from neighbouring schools visited on both days. Dr Verma praised the creativity on display and announced prizes for the best projects. The Principal thanked the organisers, and said such events develop scientific thinking.

Example 5: A report with a quotation · 5 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

You are Tanvi/Tarun, Cultural Secretary of Hillcrest School, Dehradun. The school held a literary fest on 20 January 2027 featuring poetry recitation, debate and storytelling for Classes IX to XII. The Principal said that reading builds empathy. Write a report in 120-150 words, including this quotation in reported speech.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Format (1).
Organisation (1): opening, events, outcome with reported speech.
Content (2): three events, quotation, outcome.
Accuracy (1): correct reported speech.

Answer: Words Come Alive at Literary Fest
By Tanvi/Tarun, Cultural Secretary

Dehradun, 20 January 2027 - Hillcrest School held its annual literary fest on Wednesday in the school auditorium, with poetry recitation, debate and storytelling for students of Classes IX to XII.

The morning began with recitations in English and Hindi, followed by a debate on the topic of whether technology has improved reading habits. In the afternoon, students told stories in a variety of styles, including folk tales and original fiction. Teachers acted as judges and gave comments on voice, clarity and content.

Addressing the gathering, the Principal said that reading builds empathy and understanding of other people. Certificates were given to the winners of each event, and the participants were applauded for their confidence. The fest concluded with a vote of thanks by the Cultural Secretary.

Where students lose marks in Newspaper Report of a School Event

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

Mistake: Writing in the present tense
The event has already taken place.
Wrong working
The Principal inaugurates the drive and students plant saplings.
Right working
The Principal inaugurated the drive and students planted saplings.
Do this: Reread each verb.
Usually costs: Part of accuracy.
Mistake: No byline or place and date
These items make the format.
Wrong working
Only a heading and text.
Right working
Heading, byline with designation, and a place and date opening.
Do this: Use H-B-P.
Usually costs: The format mark.
Mistake: Adding opinions
A report is objective.
Wrong working
The fest was the best ever.
Right working
Over 300 students attended the fest.
Do this: Use facts and figures from the input.
Usually costs: Part of content.
Mistake: Missing the outcome
The final paragraph shows the impact.
Wrong working
The report ends after the last event.
Right working
In all, 200 saplings were planted; the Principal thanked the students.
Do this: End with the result.
Usually costs: 1 of 2 content marks.

Exam tips

Write the heading and byline first, then the place and date line.
Put the key facts in the first paragraph.
Keep every verb in the past tense.
Use all figures and names given in the question.
Add one short quotation in reported speech if one is given.

Practice questions on Newspaper Report of a School Event

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

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Which of the following is a suitable heading for a report on a blood donation camp?
(a) Blood (b) Seventy Donors Come Forward at School Camp (c) I donated blood (d) Report on blood
Hint
Short, factual and specific.
Answer
(b)
Q2 · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level
You are Samir/Sameera, Sports Secretary of Rose Valley School, Nashik. The school held its annual sports day on 18 December 2026. The Chief Guest was an Olympic coach, Mr R. Nair. Events included races, relay and long jump. Over 400 students took part, and Blue House won the trophy. Write a report in 120-150 words.
Hint
Past tense; events in order; outcome.
Answer
Blue House Wins Annual Sports Day
By Samir/Sameera, Sports Secretary
Nashik, 18 December 2026 - Rose Valley School held its annual sports day on Friday on the school grounds, with over 400 students competing in a variety of events.
The Chief Guest, Mr R. Nair, a coach, inaugurated the day by taking the salute at the march past and declaring the meet open. The programme included sprints, relay races and the long jump, and spectators cheered every event. Teachers and house captains ensured fair play, and a first-aid team stayed on the ground.
At the end of the day, Blue House won the overall trophy. Mr Nair presented medals and advised students to value effort above victory. The Principal thanked the organisers and said that sports teach discipline and team spirit.
Q3 · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level
You are Nidhi/Nikhil, Reporter of the Daily Bugle, the school newspaper of Springdale School, Ludhiana. The school held a road-safety awareness week from 1 to 5 February 2027, with a rally, a skit and a talk by a traffic police officer. Write a report in 120-150 words.
Hint
Three activities; officer's advice; outcome.
Answer
Springdale Observes Road Safety Week
By Nidhi/Nikhil, Reporter, Daily Bugle
Ludhiana, 5 February 2027 - Springdale School observed a road-safety awareness week from 1 to 5 February, which included a rally, a street skit and a talk by a traffic police officer.
On the first day, students carried placards and walked through the neighbourhood, urging people to follow traffic rules. A skit performed by Class X showed the dangers of speeding and using phones while driving. On the last day, a traffic police officer spoke to students on helmets, seat belts and the meaning of traffic signs, and answered their questions.
The week ended with a pledge by all students to follow traffic rules and to remind their families to do so. The Principal said that the week had created awareness among students and parents, and that it would be held every year.
Q4 · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Why should the key facts of an event be placed in the first paragraph of a report? Answer in 40-50 words.
Hint
Think of a reader with little time.
Answer
A reader often wants the main facts quickly: what happened, who was involved, when, where and why. Placing them in the first paragraph gives the full picture at once. The later paragraphs then add details in order, which makes the report clear, well organised and easy to follow.
Q5 · 2 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency
A student's report on the annual day includes the lines: The programme was boring and I did not like the chief guest. Explain, in 40-50 words, why these lines are unsuitable and how to improve them.
Hint
Opinion against objectivity.
Answer
A report must be objective, but these lines give personal opinions in the first person. They cannot be checked and may offend. The student should state facts instead, for example the order of items, the length of the Chief Guest's speech and the audience's response, in the past tense.

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.What three items form the format of a report?Show answer
Heading, byline, and the place and date line.
2.What tense is used?Show answer
The past tense.
3.What is the word limit?Show answer
120-150 words.
4.What do the 5 marks cover?Show answer
Format 1, organisation 1, content 2, accuracy 1.
5.What goes in the last paragraph?Show answer
The outcome or impact.
6.Should a report contain personal opinion?Show answer
No, it must be objective.

Newspaper Report of a School Event: frequently asked questions

Is a report written in the first person?

No. Use the third person and the passive where natural.

Where do I put the date?

At the start of the first paragraph, with the place.

Can I invent details?

Only minor ones that fit the input; do not change the facts given.

What if the question gives no name?

Use a neutral name and the designation given.