The report: A report (el informe) is a factual, organised text that presents information about a topic and usually ends with recommendations. In Paper 1 you choose it when the task asks you to investigate, present findings, and suggest improvements — for a school, a club or a survey. It's part of Unit 2: Text Types, so the marks come from getting its conventions and register right (Criterion C): a title, clear headings, an objective tone and recommendations.
- el informe
- the report
- el título
- the title (names the report's topic)
- los datos
- the data / the facts
- los apartados / las secciones
- the sections (with headings)
- las recomendaciones
- the recommendations
- el registro formal y objetivo
- formal, objective register (impersonal, fact-based)
Spot it in the task: Look for verbs of investigation and proposal. "Escribe un informe sobre…", "presenta los resultados y propón mejoras", "analiza y recomienda" → a report. If the task asked you to write to a friend you'd switch to an informal email; if it asked you to persuade a committee to fund something, that's a proposal. Read what the task wants you to do first.
Keep it formal and objective: A report is formal, neutral and objective. Stay impersonal: prefer se constructions (se observa que…, se recomienda…) and, if you address the reader, use usted — never tú. Report facts, not feelings: avoid emotive language and the first person «yo creo que…». Consistency matters — a chatty or personal tone breaks the register and costs you Criterion C.
Report — do this
- El objetivo de este informe es…
- Según los datos, se observa que…
- Se recomienda ampliar el horario.
Informal — avoid here
- ¡Hola! Te cuento lo que vi…
- Yo creo que esto es genial.
- Un abrazo, / Besos,
Stay impersonal: Build sentences around se and usted, not yo or tú. The whole report — from the aim to the conclusion — should read as neutral and fact-based.
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The five parts: Every report follows the same shape. Hit all five parts — especially the headings and the recommendations — and you've covered the conventions the examiner is looking for.
Report — 5 parts
1
Title
A clear title naming the report's topic. «Informe sobre el uso de la biblioteca»
2
Introduction / aim
State the purpose of the report in one or two sentences. «El objetivo de este informe es…»
3
Findings
Present the facts under clear headings — the longest part, fact-based. «Según los datos… Se observa que…»
4
Recommendations
Suggest improvements, impersonally. «Se recomienda… Conviene…»
5
Conclusion
A brief closing that sums up the main point. «En conclusión,…»
Title → Aim → Findings → Recommendations → Conclusion
Don't skip the frame: Students lose easy Criterion C marks by forgetting the title, the headings or the recommendations. They take seconds and show you know the text type — never leave them out.
A model, part by part: Here's a complete report built from the five parts above. Read it once for the information, then tap Ver traducción to check the English or 🔊 to hear it.
Modelo: las 5 partes en acción
El informe escrito, parte por parte
- Informe sobre el uso de la biblioteca del centro
- El objetivo de este informe es analizar el uso de la biblioteca por parte del alumnado y proponer mejoras para el próximo curso.
- Horario y asistencia. Según los datos recogidos, la biblioteca recibe más visitas por la tarde. Se observa que muchos alumnos no la utilizan porque cierra demasiado pronto. Recursos. La mayoría de los usuarios pide más ordenadores y zonas de estudio en silencio.
- Se recomienda ampliar el horario de tarde y habilitar una sala de estudio en silencio. Asimismo, conviene aumentar el número de ordenadores disponibles.
- En conclusión, la biblioteca es un recurso valorado, pero su uso aumentaría con horarios más amplios y mejores instalaciones.
Por qué puntúa — why it scores: This short report earns marks on all three Paper 1 criteria — here's how:
A — Language /12
- Impersonal, accurate language: «se observa», «se recomienda»
- Connectors: «según», «asimismo», «en conclusión»
- Correct verbs (es, recibe, aumentaría)
B — Message /12
- Clear purpose: presents findings AND recommends
- Ideas developed (hours, resources → proposals)
C — Conceptual /6
- Report conventions: title + headings + recommendations
- Consistent formal, impersonal register (se / usted)
- Objective, fact-based tone
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A toolkit you can reuse: Learn a few ready-made phrases for each part. They keep your report impersonal and objective, and save time in the exam. Tap 🔊 to hear them.
Para introducir (the aim)
- El objetivo de este informe es… — The aim of this report is…
- Este informe analiza… — This report analyses…
- A continuación se presentan los resultados. — The results are presented below.
Para los datos (presenting findings)
- Según los datos… — According to the data…
- Se observa que… — It is observed that…
- La mayoría de los encuestados… — Most of those surveyed…
Para recomendar y concluir (closings)
- Se recomienda… / Conviene… — It is recommended… / It would be advisable…
- Asimismo, sería conveniente… — Likewise, it would be advisable to…
- En conclusión,… — In conclusion,…
Use one from each: One aim phrase, one or two fact phrases for the findings, and one recommendation + conclusion is plenty — and instantly makes the report feel like the real text type.