ENGLISH 11 th - Writing Practice

Level: intermediate. Teacher: Lorena G., Kellys D.

Function: to write a report
Student’s Name: ___________________ Date:
_________________

WRITING A REPORT
EXAMPLE 1:
Read the next report sample and analize the structure of the report.

The chart below shows the amount spent on six consumer goods in
four European countries.

The chart gives information regarding the money spent on consumer goods namely
photographic film, toys, CDs, perfumes, tennis racquets and personal stereos by 4 countries in
Europe (Britain, France, Italy and Germany). The units are in Pound Sterling.
Overall, British, among the four countries, spent most of their money in all the 6 consumer
goods in contrast with Germany spending the least amount for those products. British also spent
the highest amount to purchase photographic films while France spent the least amount on
tennis racquets. In terms of photographic film, Britain spent well above 170 thousand pounds.
This is the highest money spent on any consumer goods. France came in the second position in
terms of their spending, which was more or less 165 thousand. Italians and Germans
compared to the two latter countries, spent around 150,000 and 145,000 respectively.
Finally, Germans spent the fewer amount in all consumer items than any other nation and
their average spending was 145 thousand. Toys and CDs are the second and third most
purchased by the 4 countries.
 Top tips for writing
1. Start by saying exactly what the chart shows. Mention the time period, the place and any
other details given about the participants and the data.
2. Describe the information in general before going into detail.
3. Compare the information of the chart in more detail. Compare where relevant. Use
linkers of contrast.
4. To sum up, highlight the most important things the information shows.
5. Express the quantities in numbers and in letters.
EXAMPLE 2:
Read the next report sample and analize the structure of the report.

The bar chart illustrates and compares the percentage of people holding different science
qualifications in Malaysia and Singapore in four different categories: master’s degree,
bachelor’s degree, School levang exams and no qualification in science.
First of all, it can be seen that the majority of people in the two countries have no science
qualification while only a small minority has the highest credential which is a Master’s degree.
According to the graph, 65% and 60% of people do not have any qualification of science in
Malaysia and Singapore respectively. Similarly, in those two countries, 35% and 30% of
individual passed school leaving exams. Though, 3% of people from each country held
master’s degree, people of Singapore are highly interested for bachelor’s degree compare to
Malaysia’s countrymen. It is observed that 20% individual from Singapore and 10%
countrymen from Malaysia possessed bachelor’s degree certificate.
To conclude, it is worth noting that most of the people in the two countries could not hold any
science qualification. However, many people could achieve school leaving qualifications. There
are few people with high science qualification, such as bachelors and masters in both countries.
 Report’s structure

what the chart is about.

mention the categories.
Par 1:
Introduction
how the data was collected.

report main features.

Stating facts: highest/ lowest points of data followed by those
in between.
Par 2: Findings use different porcentages (in numbers and in quantity)
Compare categories where relevant.

compare the whole chart

Par 3: give some conclusions with other words
Conclusion
 Useful phrases to describe a bar chart and a pie chart
1. Introduction
The bar demonstrates … the level … of population
chart illustrates … the amount of … unemployment
The pie deals with gives the fraction of … sales
chart information about the percentage of … consumption
represents the number of production
the quantity of …
shows presents data on income
the size of …
indicates food
the volume of …
reveals
the length of …
the degree of …
the scale of …
the extent of …
the frequency of …
the duration of …

2. Findings
Introductory expressions: It is clear from the chart that … It can be seen from the chart
that …
As the chart shows … The first thing you notice looking at the bar chart is that
…
Percentage (%) fractions Percentag Expressions
5 one in twenty e
10 one in ten 0-5% almost no
15 less than a fifth 5% a very small number
20 one fifth 5-10% a small number
25 one quarter 10-15% a minority
30 less than a third 15-20% only a few (a little)
33 a third 20-25% a few (a little)
35 more than a third 25-35% quite a few (a little)
40 two fifths 35-45% quite a lot
45 more than two fifths 45-50% a lot
50 a half 50% a half
55 more than a half 50-65% most
60 three fifths 65-75% the majority
65 two thirds 75-85% the vast majority
70 seven in ten 85-95% almost all
75 three quarters 100% all
80 four fifths

3. Conclusion All in all … All things considered .. By and large … In conclusion …

On the whole … In the final analysis …  To sum up …
UNDERSTANDING THE 5 DIMENSIONS OF A CULTURE
by Geert Hofstede.
Individualism and Collectivism
The outcome of individualism and collectivism “focuses on the degree a society reinforces individual or
collective achievement and interpersonal relationships,”.
On the collectivist side are societies where people are integrated from birth into strong cohesive in-groups. The
extended family – grandparents, uncles and aunts – is protected in exchange for unquestioned loyalty. 
In Individualism and Collectivism, the determining question is, “Are you motivated to do things for yourself or
for the group?”

Power Distance
The power distance index is defined as "the extent to which the less powerful members of organizations and
institutions (like the family) accept and expect that power is distributed unequally". 
A higher degree of the Index indicates that hierarchy is clearly established and executed in society, without
doubt or reason. A lower degree of the Index signifies that people question authority and attempt to distribute
power.
Masculinity and Femininity
 In this dimension, masculinity is defined as "a preference in society for achievement, heroism, assertiveness
and material rewards for success". Its counterpart represents "a preference for cooperation, modesty, caring for
the weak and quality of life". Women in the respective societies tend to display different values. In feminine
societies, they share modest and caring views equally with men. In more masculine societies, women are
somewhat assertive and competitive, but notably less than men. In other words, they still recognize a gap
between male and female values. This dimension is frequently viewed as taboo in highly masculine societies.

Uncertainty Avoidance
The uncertainty avoidance index is defined as "a society's tolerance for ambiguity", in which people embrace or
avert an event of something unexpected, unknown, or away from the status quo. A high uncertainty avoidance
ranking indicates the country has a low tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity. It fosters a rules-oriented
society. A low uncertainty avoidance ranking suggests the country has less concern about ambiguity and
uncertainty and has more tolerance for a variety of opinions. It reflects a society that is less rules-oriented, more
readily accepts change, and takes more and greater risks.

Long-Term and Short-Term Orientation

“Is society focused on the past, present or future?” This dimension associates the connection of the past with the
current and future actions/challenges. “Long-term orientation focuses on the degree the society embraces or
does not embrace long-term devotion to traditional, forward thinking values”. A higher degree of this index
(long-term) indicates that traditions are honored and kept, while constancy is valued. Societies with a low
degree in this index (short-term) view adaptation and circumstantial, pragmatic problem-solving as a necessity.
A poor country that is short-term oriented usually has little to no economic development, while long-term
oriented countries continue to develop to a point.

Indulgence vs restraint
This dimension refers to the degree of freedom that societal norms give to citizens in fulfilling their human
desires. Indulgence is defined as "a society that allows relatively free gratification of basic and natural human
desires related to enjoying life and having fun". Its counterpart is defined as "a society that controls gratification
of needs and regulates it by means of strict social norms"

WRITING YOUR OWN REPORT

1. Go to the website https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/
2. Choose Colombia and 3 other countries to compare. (Include a country from each
continent: America, Europe and Asia).
3. Reports and chosen countries should be different for everybody. Teacher will be paying
attention for plagiarism. Translator is forbidden. If there’s any sign of translator or
plagiarism on the whole or partial part of the text, the report will get 1.0 immediately.
4. Copy and paste the bar chart here. (You can use screenshot, but crop the picture focusing
on the bar chart)
5. Summarize the information in the chart by selecting and reporting the main features.
Make comparisons where relevant. Between 160 – 180 words. You should spend 30 -40
minutes doing it.