Writing A Survey Report

1. Writing a Report on a Survey
Step Ahead
Book 5 Unit 4

2. In this lesson, you will learn about:
the factors affecting the writing of
a survey report
the organisation of a survey report
the features of a survey report
the writing process

3. WHAT IS A SURVEY?........
 A way of asking people questions that you
understand and helps you understand what people
think or what and why they do certain actions.
WHAT IS A SURVEY REPORT?.........
 It is a report to present your findings from your
survey. It is a summary of your survey.

4. What factors
affect the writing
of a survey
report?

5. The style and structure of writing is affected
by three factors:
Genre
Audience Purpose
i.e. What is the text type?
e.g. a survey report
i.e. Who will read my writing?
e.g. students and teachers
i.e. Why am I writing?
e.g. to present and analyse
information from a survey

6. What is the genre of this writing task?
a survey report
Who is the audience for this genre?
principal, teachers and students

7. What is the purpose of the survey report?
to describe the information from a
survey
to discuss possible issues that the
findings present
to discuss possible solutions to
the issues

8. 4. Of the students surveyed, 86% were generally
satisfied with the sports facilities in our school.
2. In your e-mail, you asked me about the tourist
attractions in Hong Kong.

Tick the sentence below which most likely comes from a survey
report.
Exercise 1
1. According to your teachers, you should focus more on
your studies.
4. Of the students surveyed, 86% were generally satisfied
with the sports facilities in our school.
3. I had promised my mother to take good care of my
sister. However, after two hours, I was bored.




9. What does a
survey report
include?

10. A survey report includes:
an introduction
a title
findings
conclusion and recommendations

11. Title:
short but eye-catching
Report on Students’ Hobbies
e.g.
tell the readers what the report is
about

12. In order to improve the overall quality of the food
sold in the school canteen, the Students’ Union
conducted a survey between 10th and 15th October.
During the period, we interviewed 200 students from
our school.
Introduction:
state the purpose of the report
provide background information
e.g.

13. Only 50% of the interviewees are satisfied with the
lunch boxes sold at the school canteen. Their major
criticism is the lack of variety.
The majority of the interviewees like the snacks sold
at the school canteen. Among all kinds of snacks, fish
balls are students’ favourite. However, they also think
that the price of the snacks is too high.
Findings:
summarise the information obtained
from the survey
describe the findings in detail
e.g.

14. Based on the findings, we conclude that students are
not satisfied with the variety of lunchboxes sold at the
school canteen. The school canteen should offer a
wider variety of food for the students to choose from.
Conclusion and Recommendations:
analyse the information in the
findings
discuss possible issues and solutions
derived from the findings
e.g.

15. What are the
main features of
a survey report?

16. In a survey report, we use:
adverbs of frequency to say how
often an action happens
modal verbs to make recommendations
formal language to show formality

17. We use adverbs of frequency to say how
often an action happens:
adverbs of frequency: always,
usually, often, sometimes, seldom,
rarely, never, once an hour, twice a
year, once a year
We learned that 50% of the parents in Hong Kong
always buy takeaways for dinner.
e.g.
e.g. To protect our teeth, we should have our teeth
cleaned by the dentist at least twice a year.

18. We use formal language to show formality:
do not use contracted forms
The data was collected last month by the institution.
e.g.
use the passive voice
It is shown that the majority of students in our school
lead a sedentary lifestyle. Their hobbies include
watching television and playing computer games.
e.g.

19. MOST COMMON CONTRACTIONS
 I + would / I + had = I’d
 I + will = I’ll
 I + have = I’ve
 I + am = I’m
 she + had/ she + would=
she’d
 she + will = she’ll
 they + will = they’ll
 They + are = they’re
 They + have = they’ve
 We + had/ we + would=
we’d
 We + will = we’ll
 We + are = we’re
 We + have = we’ve
 It + will = it’ll
 It + is = it’s
 That + is = that’s
 There + is = there’s
 Where + is = where’s

20. MOST COMMON CONTRACTIONS
 Let + us = let’s  We + had/ we + would=
we’d
 We + will = we’ll
 We + are = we’re
 We + have = we’ve
 It + will = it’ll
 It + is = it’s
 That + is = that’s
 There + is = there’s
 Where + is = where’s

21. We use modal verbs to make recommendations:
modal verbs such as should can be
used when making recommendations
Schools in Hong Kong should promote a drug-free
environment.
e.g.

22. Choose the best word or phrase to complete the survey report.
Exercise 2
admit
recommended according
majority
twice a month
questionnaires should
In order to help students develop healthy hobbies, (1) ____________
were sent to students. The following report (2) __________ the results.
(3) _____________ to the data collected, the (4) ___________ of
junior form students spend most of their time surfing websites. Over
90% of them (5) _________ that they do not develop a hobby. About
75% of the interviewees say that they only exercise (6) ___________.
It is (7) ____________ that schools provide extra-curricular activities
to their students. Help (8) ___________ also be offered to students in
order to help them understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
summarises
questionnaires
summarises
According majority
admit
twice a month
recommended
should

23. The Writing Process

24. How do I
generate ideas
for a survey
report?

25. Purpose of the survey: ______________________
__________________________________________
Number of interviewees: _____________________
Age range of interviewees: ___________________
Questions for the survey:
Question 1: ________________________________
Question 2: ________________________________
Question 3: ________________________________
Question 4: __________________________
Use note sheets to keep track of details:

26. Use mind maps to help you list out details to
be included in the survey report:
Healthy lives
Exercise
Diet
Mental
health
Eating
habits
healthy eating
balanced diet vegetarian
Click the subgroup for more ideas.
heart-lung function
weight-loss
cardiac
stress
anxiety
insomnia
junk food
home-cooked food
takeaways

27. Common words used in a survey report about exercise.
Vocabulary
aerobic-
dancing
brisk walking
jogging
swimming
tai chi
yoga
body-building
gymnastics
karate
pull ups
push ups
weight-lifting
Aerobic Anaerobic

28. How do I write a
survey report?

29. Pre-writing
Drafting
Editing
Proofreading
Finished product




-brainstorm ideas using mind maps, tables, etc.
-note down ideas, vocabulary
-use a flow chart to outline your writing plan
-draft your writing
-re-read and examine your draft
-correct for ideas, organisation, style
-proofread for spelling, grammar, punctuation
-correct any mistakes

30. Three factors
affect writing:
• purpose
• audience
• genre
Organisation
of a survey
report:
Summary:
• a title
• an introduction
• findings
• conclusion and
recommendations

31. Features of a
survey report:
• adverbs of
frequency
• formal language
Summary:
Generate
ideas using:
• mind maps
• modal verbs
• note sheets

32. The writing
process:
• pre-writing
• drafting
• editing
• proofreading
Summary:

33. The End