English Learning: Report Writing

Dialogue

Current Situation

Reports are formal documents that present information, analysis, or recommendations on a specific topic. They are used everywhere, from schools and universities to businesses and governments. Learning to write a good report is a valuable skill in English. However, many beginners find it challenging to start, organize their thoughts, and use appropriate vocabulary. It’s common to feel overwhelmed, just like Alice and Bob in the dialogue, when faced with a report deadline!

Key Phrases

• Don’t tell me it’s…: Used to express dread or an unwelcome recurring event.
  Example: “Don’t tell me it’s Monday again!”
• I know the feeling.: Used to express empathy or understanding of someone’s situation.
  Example: “My computer crashed. I know the feeling, it’s so frustrating.”
• due tomorrow: Indicates that a deadline for something is the next day.
  Example: “My homework is due tomorrow morning.”
• superhero of procrastination: A humorous way to describe someone who delays tasks a lot.
  Example: “He’s a superhero of procrastination; he never starts anything early!”
• How do you even start these things?: A common question when facing a daunting or unfamiliar task.
  Example: “This new project is huge. How do you even start these things?”
• fancy words: Words that sound formal, complicated, or impressive, often used to sound more intelligent or important.
  Example: “He used a lot of fancy words in his speech to sound smart.”
• Cheers to that!: An expression of agreement, enthusiasm, or a toast, often used to celebrate a shared sentiment or achievement.
  Example: “We finished the project! Cheers to that!”

Grammar Points

Let’s look at some basic grammar structures used in the dialogue:

• Present Simple (for general truths, habits, and scheduled events):
  Use it to talk about things that happen regularly or are generally true.
  Examples: “My supervisor loves those.” (a general truth about her supervisor)
  “How do you even start these things?” (a general question about the process)
• Present Continuous (for actions happening now or temporary situations):
  Use it to talk about actions that are in progress at the moment of speaking or temporary situations.
  Examples: “I’m already tired just thinking about it.” (a current state of being)
  “It feels like it’s writing itself against me.” (an ongoing sensation/experience)
  “I’m considering writing about…” (an action in progress, a current thought/plan)
• Expressing Future Plans/Intentions (using “going to”):
  Use “be + going to + verb” to talk about future plans or intentions, especially when you have already decided something.
  Example: “I’m going to ‘facilitate’ some ‘synergy’…” (Alice’s immediate plan)
• Question Words (e.g., “How”):
  “How” is used to ask about the manner or way in which something is done.
  Example: “How do you even start these things?” (asking about the method of starting)

Practice Exercises

1. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb (Present Simple, Present Continuous, or “going to” future):
   1. Alice ________ (feel) tired about the report right now.
   2. Bob always ________ (procrastinate) on his assignments.
   3. I ________ (start) my report tonight after dinner.
   4. They ________ (not like) writing long reports in general.
   5. What ________ (you / do) about your deadline next week?
2. Match the phrase to its meaning:
   1. I know the feeling.
   2. Due tomorrow.
   3. Fancy words.

   Match the phrase to the correct meaning below:

   __ Formal or complex vocabulary.
   __ Expressing empathy or understanding.
   __ Deadline is the next day.

3. Answer the questions about the dialogue:
   1. What is Alice struggling with?
   2. What is Bob’s humorous idea for his report topic?
   3. What kind of words do Alice and Bob think supervisors like?

Answers

1. 1. is feeling
   2. procrastinates
   3. am going to start
   4. do not like / don’t like
   5. are you going to do
2. 1. I know the feeling. → Expressing empathy or understanding.
   2. Due tomorrow. → Deadline is the next day.
   3. Fancy words. → Formal or complex vocabulary.
3. 1. Alice is struggling with writing her report.
   2. Bob’s humorous idea is “The Secret Life of My Coffee Mug.”
   3. Alice and Bob think supervisors like fancy words.