Module 5 · Mock Exam 1 & Writing Genres I · Lesson 20
Writing Part 2 The Report
Neutral register, sections and recommendation
Get talking · Section 1
4 minGet talking
Take the same recommendation: 'pilot a six-week trial of a staggered start'. Phrase it (a) for a PROPOSAL (persuade) and (b) for a REPORT (recommend from findings). What changes?
In a proposal, the writer's voice is present. In a report, the EVIDENCE has the voice. Spot the report sentence: 'I think students prefer mornings.' / 'Of 64 students surveyed, 71% expressed a preference for morning lessons.'
From any survey you can imagine (favourite app, study habits, etc.): name THREE findings as 'X% of Y said/did Z'. No opinion — only finding.
Neutral register and evidence reporting — letting the data speak
Quick rule
Reports use IMPERSONAL constructions ('it was found that…', '64 respondents indicated…') and report verbs ('indicate', 'suggest', 'point to', 'reveal'). The writer disappears; the evidence speaks.
Cambridge reports are marked, in large part, on register control. The voice should be IMPERSONAL but never cold, FACTUAL but never lifeless. The grammar that delivers this voice is: passive and impersonal constructions ('it was found', 'it appears that', 'the evidence suggests'); precise reporting verbs ('indicate' = data shows; 'suggest' = data hints; 'point to' = data converges); cautious modality in the Recommendations section ('It may therefore be worth considering…'). Avoid 'I think', 'we should', and any first-person evaluation that isn't framed as a finding.
Examples
Impersonal: 'It was found that 71% of students preferred morning lessons.'
Reporting verb: 'The data suggest that wellbeing scores rose modestly across the pilot.'
Conditional recommendation: 'It may therefore be worth considering an extension of the pilot, subject to staff capacity.'
Findings-led: 'Three priorities emerged from the survey data.' (vs 'I think we should…')
Quick check
Question 1.Pick the most report-grade sentence:
Question 2.Best reporting verb for 'the data hints at, but doesn't prove':
Question 3.Most appropriate recommendation in a report:
Question 4.Which sentence belongs in FINDINGS, not Conclusions?
Question 5.Why does a report avoid 'I think'?
Words & phrases to own
to indicate
to show clearly (evidence-reporting verb)
e.g. The attendance data indicate a 12% rise during the pilot.
Use it now
Use 'indicate' in a sentence reporting a finding from any survey.
↻ Recycled in writing · pitch
to point to (a pattern)
to suggest a direction in the evidence
e.g. Three pieces of feedback point to the same scheduling concern.
Use it now
Finish: 'The evidence points to ______.'
↻ Recycled in writing
respondents / participants
the people surveyed or involved
e.g. Of 64 respondents, 46 (71%) expressed a clear preference.
Use it now
Practise: 'Of ___ respondents, ___ (___%) indicated…'
↻ Recycled in writing
marginal vs substantial (difference)
small but visible vs large and clear
e.g. Attainment showed a marginal rise; wellbeing showed a substantial one.
Use it now
Pair the two adjectives with two findings from your imagined data.
↻ Recycled in writing
subject to (X)
conditional on — used in cautious recommendations
e.g. An extension is recommended, subject to staff capacity and parental consultation.
Use it now
Add a 'subject to' clause to a recommendation you'd make.
↻ Recycled in writing · pitch
it may therefore be worth considering
the signature CONDITIONAL recommendation move of a report
e.g. It may therefore be worth considering an extension of the pilot.
Use it now
Write the recommendation sentence of YOUR report using this exact frame.
↻ Recycled in writing · pitch
Pair / group discussion
- Which of today's items most clearly signal 'report voice' rather than 'essay voice'?
- Pick three items to use in your Findings draft in 10 minutes.
Complete each stem about yourself
- The data indicate ______.…
- Three pieces of evidence point to ______.…
- It may therefore be worth considering ______, subject to ______.…
Rank & justify
Rank by how much each one signals 'report' rather than 'opinion essay'.
- it may therefore be worth considering
- indicate
- subject to
- I think
- respondents
Quick write (60 seconds)
In one sentence, report a finding using 'Of [N] respondents, [%] indicated…'.
Pronunciation · Section 4
3 minStress the FINDING, not the writer
When reading a report aloud, the heaviest stress should fall on the data and the conditional verbs — not on personal pronouns (which are absent anyway). This signals neutrality and authority simultaneously.
- Of SIXTY-FOUR respondents || SEVENTY-ONE per CENT indicated a PREFERENCE.
- The DATA SUGGEST || a MARGINAL rise in atTAINment.
- It may THEREFORE be worth conSIDERing || an EXTENSION of the PILOT.
- Subject to STAFF capacity || and PARental consultATION.
Reading · Section 5
8 minThe Architecture of Objectivity: The Role of the Formal Report
The evolution of professional communication has seen a marked shift away from the persuasive oratory of the past toward a more clinical, evidence-led approach. In the realm of urban planning and civic development, this transition is most visible in the formal report. Unlike its more persuasive cousin, the proposal, the report functions as a diagnostic tool. It does not seek to cajole the reader into a specific course of action from the outset; rather, it aims to present a lucid architectural or social reality. By utilizing a neutral register, the writer ensures that the findings remain the focal point, shielding the document from accusations of bias or emotional manipulation.
Modern stakeholders are increasingly wary of the 'hard sell'. In recent surveys, a high percentage of respondents indicated a preference for data-driven transparency over rhetorical flourish. They seek documents where the evidence speaks for itself, allowing for a more reasoned deliberation. In such a climate, the role of the report writer is one of curation rather than advocacy. By employing impersonal constructions—such as 'it was found that' or 'it would appear'—the author creates a professional distance. This distance is not a sign of indifference, but rather a commitment to objectivity. It is through this lens that patterns in urban density or public transport usage are analyzed, providing a stable foundation for future policy.
A key element of this structure is the 'findings-led' move. For instance, in a recent assessment of city-center pedestrianization, the report revealed a substantial increase in footfall during weekend hours, while only a marginal difference was noted during the working week. These patterns point to a specific behavioral trend that would have remained obscured by a more generalized narrative. When the data is laid out in such a segregated, sectional manner, the logical progression toward a conclusion becomes self-evident. The writer disappears, and in their place, a clear, empirical narrative emerges. This allows the internal logic of the evidence to guide the reader’s understanding.
Crucially, the recommendations within a report are often presented as conditional. Because the report deals with 'what is', any move toward 'what should be' must remain subject to external variables, such as budgetary constraints or legislative approval. It may therefore be worth considering a phased implementation of new strategies rather than a singular, jarring shift. By framing suggestions in this way—using phrases like 'should the resources become available' or 'it is suggested that'—the writer acknowledges the complexity of the professional environment. The report thus remains a document of integrity, providing a bridge between raw data and pragmatic, evidence-based action in the real world.
Question 1.What is the secondary purpose of the article?
Question 2.What does the author suggest about 'modern stakeholders' in the second paragraph?
Question 3.What does the phrase 'the writer disappears' imply in the context of the third paragraph?
Question 4.What is meant by the description of a 'marginal' difference in user feedback?
Question 5.According to the text, what is a characteristic of 'conditional recommendations'?
Question 6.What is the author's final assessment of the formal report?
Q1.The author suggests that using an impersonal tone can actually make a report more credible to stakeholders.
Q2.According to the text, reports and proposals share the same primary goal of immediate persuasion.
Q3.The text implies that 'conditional recommendations' are used because the writer cannot guarantee the outcome of internal variables.
Q4.The author argues that a 'marginal difference' in data is usually not worth reporting in a formal document.
Listening · Section 6
8 minThe Internal Audit: Accuracy over Advocacy
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Fraser (Scottish, m):Welcome back to the podcast. Today, we’re looking at corporate culture and the 'Internal Audit'. We’re joined by Dr.
Isla Henderson, a consultant who helps firms overhaul their internal communication. Isla, you’ve just finished a project at a major tech firm. What were the initial goals?
Isla (Scottish, f):Well, Fraser, the brief was quite specific. The board had sensed a decline in morale, but they couldn’t put their finger on it. My job wasn't to offer a gut feeling but to produce an evidence-led report.
We surveyed over five hundred employees, and the data was quite revealing, actually. It's often the case that management thinks they know the problem, but the respondents usually point to something entirely different.
Fraser (Scottish, m):Interesting. I suppose in a report like that, you have to keep a fairly neutral register? You can't exactly go in there with all guns blazing, even if the findings are shocking.
Isla (Scottish, f):Exactly. The writer needs to disappear. If I use emotive language, the board gets defensive.
But if I say 'it was found that sixty-four percent of participants were dissatisfied with the hierarchy', it’s harder to argue with. There was a marginal difference in satisfaction between junior and senior staff, but a substantial one regarding work-life balance across the board.
Fraser (Scottish, m):And did the patterns in the data lead to any immediate changes? Or is it more of a slow burn?
Isla (Scottish, f):It’s definitely a slow burn. My findings suggested that current meeting structures were inefficient. However, any structural shift is always subject to budgetary approval.
I couldn't just tell them to hire ten more people. I had to frame it as: 'it may therefore be worth considering a revision of the remote-work policy'. It’s about conditional recommendations based on what the evidence reveals.
Fraser (Scottish, m):I've heard some critics say these reports are too clinical—that they strip away the 'human' element of a workplace. Is there a danger of that?
Isla (Scottish, f):I see where they’re coming from, but if you’re a CEO, you don’t need an emotional plea; you need a roadmap. When a report indicates a clear pattern of burnout, that is the human element, just expressed through statistics. It’s about making the subjective objective.
If the data points to a systemic flaw, you can't ignore it just because the tone of the report is sober.
Fraser (Scottish, m):So, for someone starting out in corporate analysis, what’s the biggest hurdle? Is it the data collection or the final delivery?
Isla (Scottish, f):Funnily enough, it's the register. People tend to use 'I think' or 'I believe'. You have to strip that away.
Once the evidence speaks for itself, the recommendation follows naturally. It’s about moving from 'I think we should' to 'The findings indicate that it would be beneficial to'. It’s a subtle shift but a vital one.
Fraser (Scottish, m):Dr. Henderson, thanks for sharing that insight. It seems the 'quiet cousin' of the business world, the report, is actually its most powerful tool.
Isla (Scottish, f):I couldn't agree more. Precision over persuasion, every time.
Question 1.What does Isla imply was the primary purpose of her recent project?
Question 2.Why does Isla believe a neutral register is essential in her reports?
Question 3.What does Isla say about the differences in employee satisfaction?
Question 4.When discussing recommendations, Isla suggests that...
Question 5.How does Isla respond to the criticism that reports are too 'clinical'?
Question 6.What does Isla identify as the most difficult skill for new analysts to master?
Visual stimulus · Section 7
3 minAnnotated report layout vs proposal layout — side by side
Same four-section shape, different voice and stance. Notice where the data sits and where the recommendation sits.
Notes
Report vs Proposal — same shape, different job
- ▸1. INTRODUCTION — Report: what was investigated, by whom, from what data. Proposal: what is proposed, for whom, in response to what.
- ▸2. FINDINGS (longest) — Report: evidence-led, neutral. Proposal: CURRENT SITUATION — evidence brief, persuasion-leaning.
- ▸3. CONCLUSIONS — Report: implications of findings, no recommendation yet. Proposal: PROPOSED ACTION — the persuasion paragraph.
- ▸4. RECOMMENDATIONS — Report: conditional, 'it may therefore be worth considering… subject to…'. Proposal: assertive-but-calibrated, 'it is therefore recommended that…'.
- ▸Register — Report: neutral, impersonal. Proposal: warm-formal.
Discuss in pairs
Identify ONE feature in the report column that you found yourself slipping out of in your L19 proposal — and that you'll watch for today.
CAE Writing Part 2 — The Report (220–260 words)
Strategy
- 1.Name the commissioner of the report (Principal, Governors, Manager) in the Introduction.
- 2.Use 4 headings: Introduction · Findings · Conclusions · Recommendations.
- 3.FINDINGS uses raw evidence (numbers, percentages, quotations). At least one piece of numerical evidence.
- 4.Use reporting verbs: indicate / suggest / point to / reveal. Avoid 'prove', 'show clearly', 'I think'.
- 5.RECOMMENDATIONS are CONDITIONAL ('subject to…', 'on condition that…'). No assertions.
- 6.Word count: 220–260, firm.
Example
RECOMMENDATION model: 'It may therefore be worth considering an extension of the pilot to a full term, subject to the introduction of an 08:00 on-site childcare option and to a further parent consultation in February.'
Practice · Section 9
7 minFill in the blank
Question 1.The attendance data ____ a clear short-term benefit.
Question 2.Three pieces of feedback ____ the same scheduling concern.
Question 3.It may therefore be worth ____ an extension of the pilot.
Question 4.The change is recommended, ____ to staff capacity.
Question 5.Of 64 ____ surveyed, 71% expressed a preference.
Question 6.The evidence ____ a permanent change at this stage.
Writing · Section 10
4 minPut it in writing
Six-week pilot — raw data
Deputy Head · End of pilot
Attendance rose by 12 percentage points in pilot year groups.
Of 64 students surveyed, 71% expressed a preference for the new start.
Parent strain reported on 3 of the 6 weeks; younger-sibling families welcomed alignment.
Governors want an extension to one full term, conditional on 08:00 on-site childcare.
No permanent change recommended at this stage.
Your task
Draft (in 8 minutes) the FINDINGS section of a report on the staggered-start pilot, using the raw data from today's Listening P2 briefing. Three numbered findings, each with a piece of evidence. Full report (220–260 words) is homework.
- • Findings section only — but write 3 distinct findings.
- • Each finding includes ONE piece of evidence (number, %, quotation).
- • Use at least two of today's vocab items.
Before you submit
- ☐ Three numbered or clearly separated findings.
- ☐ At least two pieces of numerical evidence.
- ☐ Reporting verbs used (indicate / suggest / point to).
- ☐ No 'I think', no 'we should', no 'obviously'.
Show model answer
FINDINGS — Three patterns emerged from the data. (1) Attendance in the pilot year groups rose by 12 percentage points compared with the same period the previous year — a substantial, not marginal, change. (2) Of 64 students surveyed, 71% expressed a preference for the new start, primarily citing sleep quality and a calmer morning routine. Staff feedback echoed the pattern, though to a lesser extent. (3) Parent feedback was mixed. Families with younger siblings in primary school welcomed the alignment of start times; families without younger siblings reported additional childcare strain on three of the six pilot weeks. The data therefore point to a real, but uneven, parental cost.
Make it a real conversation
Speaking P4 — 8 minutes. The teacher (or partner) plays a member of the governing body who has read your Findings. They ask three questions: (1) which finding is strongest? (2) which is weakest? (3) what would you NEED to know to recommend a permanent change? Answer in report voice — neutral, evidence-led.
Pick ONE further question the governing body might reasonably ask. That question is your editing prompt for the homework draft.
What would the governing body STILL want to know?
Long-term attainment
12% attendance ≠ attainment; what's the link?
Staff sustainability
Can teachers sustain the longer days?
Equity of access
Childcare cost — who pays for the 08:00 option?
Wellbeing measurement
How robust is the survey instrument?
Useful phrases
- The strongest finding is ______, supported by ______.
- The weakest is ______, because the evidence base is ______.
- To recommend a permanent change, we would need ______.
- The data indicate ______, but they do not yet support ______.
- Subject to ______, an extension may be worth considering.
- It would not be appropriate to recommend ______ at this stage.
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Stretches if time allows. All work 1:1. ~18 min total
Homework · Section 12
Take-homeTake it home
Finish the full 220–260 word report. Four headed sections (Introduction · Findings · Conclusions · Recommendations). Neutral register, conditional recommendation, at least two pieces of numerical evidence in Findings.
Find one published report online (school, council, charity). Identify its 4-section structure, its reporting verbs and its conditional recommendation. Write 3 sentences comparing its REGISTER to your draft.
Rewrite 5 essay-style sentences into report-style. (a) 'I think the pilot worked.' (b) 'Students loved it.' (c) 'We should extend it.' (d) 'Obviously it's better.' (e) 'Some parents complained.'
Build a 10-item personal 'report phrase bank' for the real exam. Today's 6 + 4 more from your reading homework. Group them: reporting verbs · evidence framing · conditional recommendations.
Recap · Section 13
Wrap-upWhat you've learned
- A report is NEUTRAL, IMPERSONAL and FINDINGS-LED. The evidence has the voice.
- Four sections: Introduction · Findings · Conclusions · Recommendations. Findings is the LONGEST.
- Reporting verbs: indicate / suggest / point to / reveal — never 'prove' or 'I think'.
- Recommendations are CONDITIONAL: 'it may therefore be worth considering… subject to…'
- The Band 4 → Band 5 move is a recommendation that names its CONDITION as well as its action.
Lesson complete
Mark this lesson done to save your progress.