Information Report Writing Skills

Gr 5—9—When New Zealand tween Pip Sparrow petitions her principal to improve the food at the school cafeteria, he asks her to write an information report on healthier meal options. To learn how to do this, she volunteers for work experience at the local newspaper where the editor refreshes everyone's memory about the basics of informational writing: be objective, get different perspectives, use trustworthy sources, etc. When Pip is assigned to cover an environmental protest at a nearby construction site, she quickly learns what happens when journalists don't check their facts and research background information. The editor then asks Pip to submit her report on school food the next day, suggesting that she include statistics, reliable information on nutrition, and a case study. Pip completes her report using trustworthy sources for her research, and the principal decides that the school should begin serving healthier food. Pip learns that "delivering the right information, in the right way, can be pretty powerful." Some aspects of report writing, particularly how to structure an information essay, are oversimplified to fit this brief presentation, but the core message is valuable. Some regional phrases may confuse American viewers (e.g., school canteen, getting "sacked"), and references to the Jonas Brothers will date this production quickly. Overall, however, this is an upbeat, well-produced overview of informational writing that is both entertaining and educational.—Amy Pickett, Ridley High School, Folsom, PA