Report Writing: Fact and Fiction vs Fact and Opinion

When writing reports, we stick to the facts.
So, how can we report on something that we have never experienced?
Let’s look at the following topic.

Write a report on a family field trip to a historic site in Trinidad and Tobago.

What if you cannot recall going to such a place? How would you write the report? You would probably have to use your imagination and make up a place.

How about this topic?

Write a report on a hurricane that you and your family experienced.

Have you ever experienced one? If not, maybe you’ve learnt about hurricanes in science class, seen the devastation it causes on the news, or even seen it in a movie. Yet again, you would have to get creative to write this report.
Here is where you need to understand the difference between fact and fiction vs fact and opinion.

 

Fact and Fiction

Fact: Something that is true, non-fiction
Fiction: Something that is made-up

Think of the comprehension passages in your practice tests. Some are FICTION and some are NON-FICTION. Non-fiction usually means it is true.
Look at some examples of fiction and non-fiction comprehension passages. Ask your parent or teacher to go through it with you and explain the differences.

 

Fact and Opinion

Fact: A statement that can be proven to be true. It can be proven or disproven.
Opinion: One’s thoughts or feelings about something. It cannot be proven or disproven.

You must not include opinion statements in your reports. Only factual statements are used. A factual statement does not have to be true. It only has to be proven or disproven. Look at the following example.

Humans breathe in hydrogen.
Is this true? NO, humans breathe in oxygen.
Is this a factual statement? YES! This is a factual statement. This can be disproven.

 

Using Fiction in Reports

Can our reports be fictitious? Yes! Once we stick to the task and use only factual statements.

Let’s go back to the topic about hurricanes above.
You did not experience a hurricane but you wrote the following:

The winds blew off my neighbour’s roof.

Would this be acceptable even though it truly did not happen? Yes, because it is a factual statement. It is a statement that can be proven true or false.

What about this statement?

The terrifying winds blew off my neighbour’s roof.

The word terrifying should not be used in report writing. This is an opinion and it cannot be proven to be true or false.

Your report does not have to be boring. You can add details to your report and still use factual statements. Remember factual statements vs opinion statements are different from fact vs fiction.

 

Exercise 1

Think of one of your favourite bed time stories. Can you turn that story into a report? Let’s use the story of Little Red Riding Hood. How would you present the fictitious story as a report? Use the story below.

One day, Little Red Riding Hood’s mother said to her, “Take this basket of goodies to your grandma’s cottage, but don’t talk to strangers on the way!” Promising not to, Little Red Riding Hood skipped off. On her way she met the Big Bad Wolf who asked, “Where are you going, little girl?” “To my grandma’s, Mr. Wolf!” she answered.

The Big Bad Wolf then ran to her grandmother’s cottage much before Little Red Riding Hood, and knocked on the door. When Grandma opened the door, he locked her up in the cupboard. The wicked wolf then wore Grandma’s clothes and lay on her bed, waiting for Little Red Riding Hood.

When Little Red Riding Hood reached the cottage, she entered and went to Grandma’s bedside. “My! What big eyes you have, Grandma!” she said in surprise. “All the better to see you with, my dear!” replied the wolf. “My! What big ears you have, Grandma!” said Little Red Riding Hood. “All the better to hear you with, my dear!” said the wolf. “What big teeth you have, Grandma!” said Little Red Riding Hood. “All the better to eat you with!” growled the wolf pouncing on her.

Little Red Riding Hood screamed and the woodcutters in the forest came running to the cottage. They beat the Big Bad Wolf and rescued Grandma from the cupboard. Grandma hugged Little Red Riding Hood with joy. The Big Bad Wolf ran away never to be seen again. Little Red Riding Hood had learnt her lesson and never spoke to strangers ever again.

 

Exercise 2

Look at these sample essays from Volume 94 of the Newsday SEA Study Series.

Identify the differences between the narrative sample and the report sample. Both are based on something that occurred during a meeting of the Superhero Association.

This report is purely fictitious. It is not the type of topic you would normally see in the SEA examination. However, it should help you understand that your report can be fictitious yet only contain factual statements.

 

REPORT

As the leader of the Superhero Association, you had organised a meeting to discuss an important issue. During the meeting, a disturbance occurred. Write a report on the event.

Remember to include information on:
– When and where the meeting took place
– Who was involved
– What happened during the meeting

A Report on a Meeting of the Superhero Association

The Superhero Association held its annual meeting on Monday the ninth of September, 2019. I, Gaia Earthbound, organised the event. The meeting was held at the Secosky Centre at Rodrigo Road, Ghoulman and began at twelve noon. Fifteen superheroes attended. During the event, there was a discussion on methods of defeating Sarah Peterson, known by the alias “Penadora.” Before the annual, friendly superhero battle, there was an attack by Penadora and five other persons. They were defeated and captured by the Superhero Association.

At approximately twelve noon, the meeting of the Superhero Association began. All fifteen members gathered in the conference room and discussed tactics to defeat Penadora. It was noted that in her attempt to gain control of Odell City, she had damaged properties, attacked people and recruited other persons with supernatural abilities. We devised a plan to lure her away from the city in order to capture her. Xara Marques, also known as “Power Girl,” took notes during the meeting, which ended at two o’clock in the afternoon.

After the discussion, the group took a break before the annual, friendly superhero battle. The battle was to take place between Superman and Batman in the Secosky Courtyard. During the break, I observed Spider Girl’s eyes rolling to the back of her head, a sign that she usually displays when sensing an enemy near. I ordered everyone to gather in the Secosky Centre. After everyone was inside, I placed an invisible shield around us all.

Approximately one minute later, Penadora and five others attacked. They were able to penetrate the shield using grey kryptonite stones that they hung around their necks. During her attack, Penadora created a whirlwind that spun items in the air, including tables and chairs. Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman fought her, whilst the other members of the association fought her accomplices. While the others battled, I used my abilities to overpower her and stop the whirlwind she had created.

Thereafter, Wonder Woman used her lasso to tie Penadora. By that time, the other members of the association had also captured the other five attackers. We took them to the holding cell of the Secovksy Centre. It was decided that they would be sent to the Harvey Detention Centre that specialises in detaining persons with supernatural abilities.

 

NARRATIVE

You are at a meeting of the Superhero Association, when trouble appears for you and the other superheroes! Write an exciting story about the ordeal.

Include descriptive details about:
– Where you were
– The trouble that appears
– How you react
– How you felt

The Capture of Penadora

“Time to start the meeting!” I shouted, “have a seat everyone!” I swooped down at the head of the long, wooden table. Keeping the group of superheroes quiet and orderly was as difficult as trying to hold water in a net. It was the annual Superhero Association meeting at Secosky Centre. There were fifteen of us chatting, zooming around and popping in and out of rooms. As the leader, I, Gaia, had to have order. There was important business to discuss!

Using my power of telekinesis, I rang the large bell hanging on the ceiling with the power of my mind. Clang! Clang! The sound vibrated everything in the room. Everyone became silent and stared at me. There was no time for delay. It had been a difficult month with Penadora, our arch enemy, setting buildings on fire, hurting people and recruiting an army.

“As we all know, Penadora has been wreaking havoc,” I stated, “we must have a solid plan to stop her and her cronies.” We all discussed ideas for her capture until we were exhausted and hungry. I felt as though my powers had drained out. Even superheroes need rest and sustenance! As I lounged on a chair enjoying a sandwich, I noticed Spider Girl’s dark eyes roll to the back of her head. She was sensing an enemy nearing us and I knew just who it was.

“Everyone get inside!” I shouted. I sounded the bell. Everyone dashed and flew inside the large building. I created an invisible shield around us and waited patiently for Penadora to approach. Before even Flash could move an inch, however, we heard a sound. Crash! Shocked, I felt all the blood drain from my face as Penadora and five of her pals flew through my shield. They had grey kryptonite stones hanging from their necks- my weakness! Penadora cackled madly as her wild, multi-coloured hair flew around her pale face.

Thankfully, the others remained focused. Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman distracted her as she created a whirlwind in the room. Everything was blowing and smashing together. Within all the chaos she was creating, I needed to focus. I closed my eyes and imagined the peace of the forest and the flowing of water. A great current of energy flowed out my fingertips and calmed Penadora’s chaos. Tables, chairs and food dropped to the ground. Penadora was unable to use her powers.

“No!” Penadora screamed. Wonder Woman used her golden lasso and tied her up as she cried out. The team had succeeded and all the villains were captured! We took them to a holding cell in the centre. They will never create chaos again. At least not under our watch!