Essay vs. Report — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 21, 2023
An essay presents arguments or perspectives on a topic, while a report provides structured information on a subject, often using data. Both are forms of written communication.
Difference Between Essay and Report
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An essay and a report serve distinct purposes in academic and professional settings. An essay is primarily an explorative piece of writing that delves into a particular topic, presenting arguments, opinions, or perspectives. Its focus is often on developing a coherent argument or viewpoint.
A report, on the other hand, is a structured document that presents information on a specific subject, often resulting from research or investigation. Reports are data-driven, presenting facts, findings, and often recommendations based on the collected information.
The structure of an essay is generally more flexible, with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The body elaborates on the thesis statement, using evidence and reasoning to support its claims, making the essay analytical or argumentative in nature.
In contrast, a report usually follows a more rigid structure, often with sections like an introduction, methodology, findings, discussion, and conclusion. These sections allow for systematic presentation and analysis of data, ensuring that the report is clear and objective.
While both essays and reports are used in academic and professional contexts, they cater to different needs. Essays showcase critical thinking and the ability to argue a point, whereas reports convey research findings and factual information in an organized manner.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
To present arguments or perspectives.
To provide structured information.
Nature
Argumentative or explorative.
Data-driven and factual.
Structure
Introduction, body, conclusion.
Defined sections (e.g., methodology, findings).
Tone
Subjective and interpretative.
Objective and analytical.
Use
Academic, opinion pieces, literature.
Research, business, scientific settings.
Compare with Definitions
Essay
A literary piece reflecting the author's outlook or sentiments.
Orwell's essays reveal much about his political beliefs.
Report
A structured document on a specific subject.
The weather report predicts rain tomorrow.
Essay
An attempt or effort to discuss or explain a topic.
His essay on quantum physics was enlightening.
Report
A report is a document that presents information in an organized format for a specific audience and purpose. Although summaries of reports may be delivered orally, complete reports are almost always in the form of written documents.
Essay
A written composition presenting an argument or perspective.
Her essay argued the merits of renewable energy.
Report
A formal account of the proceedings or transactions of a group
A company's annual report.
Essay
An essay is, generally, a piece of writing that gives the author's own argument, but the definition is vague, overlapping with those of a letter, a paper, an article, a pamphlet, and a short story. Essays have traditionally been sub-classified as formal and informal.
Report
A spoken or written account of an event, usually presented in detail
A news report.
Reports of children getting food poisoning.
Essay
A short literary composition on a single subject, usually presenting the personal view of the author.
Report
A person who is accountable or subordinate to another person within a company or organization
A manager with two reports.
Essay
Something resembling such a composition
A photojournalistic essay.
Report
Reports(Law) Bound volumes containing the published court opinions in legal cases, intended to provide a reference for precedents in subsequent cases.
Essay
A testing or trial of the value or nature of a thing
An essay of the students' capabilities.
Report
Reputation; repute
We know him only by report.
Essay
An initial attempt or endeavor, especially a tentative attempt.
Report
(Archaic) Common talk; rumor or gossip.
Essay
To make an attempt at; try.
Report
An explosive noise
The report of a rifle.
Essay
To subject to a test.
Report
To make or present an official or formal account of
The study reported a decline in heart disease. The audit reports that the company lost money.
Essay
(authorship) A written composition of moderate length, exploring a particular issue or subject.
Report
To write or provide an account or summation of for publication or broadcast
Report the news.
Essay
(obsolete) A test, experiment; an assay.
Report
To tell about the presence or occurrence of
A burglar was reported in the area.
Essay
An attempt.
Report
To relate or tell, especially from personal experience
They reported that fallen tree limbs were blocking the road.
Essay
A proposed design for a postage stamp or a banknote.
Report
To submit or relate the results of considerations concerning
The committee reported the bill.
Essay
To try.
Report
To carry back and repeat to another
Reported the rumor of a strike.
Essay
(intransitive) To move forth, as into battle.
Report
To complain about or denounce
Reported the students to the principal.
Essay
An effort made, or exertion of body or mind, for the performance of anything; a trial; attempt; as, to make an essay to benefit a friend.
Report
To make a report
Would you please report on what happened?.
Essay
A composition treating of any particular subject; - usually shorter and less methodical than a formal, finished treatise; as, an essay on the life and writings of Homer; an essay on fossils, or on commerce.
Report
To serve as a reporter for a publication, broadcasting company, or other news media.
Essay
To exert one's power or faculties upon; to make an effort to perform; to attempt; to endeavor; to make experiment or trial of; to try.
What marvel if I thus essay to sing?
Essaying nothing she can not perform.
A danger lest the young enthusiast . . . should essay the impossible.
Report
To present oneself
Report for duty.
Essay
To test the value and purity of (metals); to assay. See Assay.
Report
To be accountable or subordinate to someone
She reports directly to the board of directors.
Essay
An analytic or interpretive literary composition
Report
(transitive) To repeat (something one has heard), to retell; to pass on, convey (a message, information etc.).
Essay
A tentative attempt
Report
To take oneself (to someone or something) for guidance or support; to appeal.
Essay
Make an effort or attempt;
He tried to shake off his fears
The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps
The police attempted to stop the thief
He sought to improve himself
She always seeks to do good in the world
Report
To notify someone of (particular intelligence, suspicions, illegality, misconduct etc.); to make notification to relevant authorities; to submit a formal report of.
For insurance reasons, I had to report the theft to the local police station.
Essay
Put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to;
This approach has been tried with good results
Test this recipe
Report
(transitive) To make a formal statement, especially of complaint, about (someone).
If you do that again I'll report you to the boss.
Essay
A short piece of writing on a particular subject.
She submitted her essay on climate change last week.
Report
(intransitive) To show up or appear at an appointed time; to present oneself.
Essay
A written work exploring a theme or idea.
The essay examined the societal impacts of technology.
Report
(ambitransitive) To write news reports (for); to cover as a journalist or reporter.
Andrew Marr reports now on more in-fighting at Westminster.
Every newspaper reported the war.
Report
(intransitive) To be accountable to or subordinate to (someone) in a hierarchy; to receive orders from (someone); to give official updates to (someone who is above oneself in a hierarchy).
The financial director reports to the CEO.
Now that I've been promoted, I report to Benjamin, whom I loathe.
Report
To return or present as the result of an examination or consideration of any matter officially referred.
The committee reported the bill with amendments, or reported a new bill, or reported the results of an inquiry.
Report
To take minutes of (a speech, the doings of a public body, etc.); to write down from the lips of a speaker.
Report
(obsolete) To refer.
Report
To return or repeat, as sound; to echo.
Report
A piece of information describing, or an account of certain events given or presented to someone, with the most common adpositions being by (referring to creator of the report) and on (referring to the subject).
A report by the telecommunications ministry on the phone network revealed a severe capacity problem.
Report
Reputation.
Report
(firearms) The sharp, loud sound from a gun or explosion.
Report
An employee whose position in a corporate hierarchy is below that of a particular manager.
Report
To refer.
Baldwin, his son, . . . succeeded his father; so like unto him that we report the reader to the character of King Almeric, and will spare the repeating his description.
Report
To bring back, as an answer; to announce in return; to relate, as what has been discovered by a person sent to examine, explore, or investigate; as, a messenger reports to his employer what he has seen or ascertained; the committee reported progress.
There is no man that may reporten all.
Report
To give an account of; to relate; to tell; to circulate publicly, as a story; as, in the common phrase, it is reported.
It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel.
Report
To give an official account or statement of; as, a treasurer reports the receipts and expenditures.
Report
To return or repeat, as sound; to echo.
Report
To return or present as the result of an examination or consideration of any matter officially referred; as, the committee reported the bill witth amendments, or reported a new bill, or reported the results of an inquiry.
Report
To make minutes of, as a speech, or the doings of a public body; to write down from the lips of a speaker.
Report
To write an account of for publication, as in a newspaper; as, to report a public celebration or a horse race.
Report
To make a statement of the conduct of, especially in an unfavorable sense; as, to report a servant to his employer.
Report
To make a report, or response, in respect of a matter inquired of, a duty enjoined, or information expected; as, the committee will report at twelve o'clock.
Report
To furnish in writing an account of a speech, the proceedings at a meeting, the particulars of an occurrence, etc., for publication.
Report
To present one's self, as to a superior officer, or to one to whom service is due, and to be in readiness for orders or to do service; also, to give information, as of one's address, condition, etc.; as, the officer reported to the general for duty; to report weekly by letter.
Report
That which is reported.
It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.
Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and . . . of good report among all the nation of the Jews.
Report
Sound; noise; as, the report of a pistol or cannon.
Report
Rapport; relation; connection; reference.
The corridors worse, having no report to the wings they join to.
Report
A written document describing the findings of some individual or group;
This accords with the recent study by Hill and Dale
Report
A short account of the news;
The report of his speech
The story was on the 11 o'clock news
The account of his speech that was given on the evening news made the governor furious
Report
The act of informing by verbal report;
He heard reports that they were causing trouble
By all accounts they were a happy couple
Report
A sharp explosive sound (especially the sound of a gun firing);
They heard a violent report followed by silence
Report
A written evaluation of a student's scholarship and deportment;
His father signed his report card
Report
An essay (especially one written as an assignment);
He got an A on his composition
Report
The general estimation that the public has for a person;
He acquired a reputation as an actor before he started writing
He was a person of bad report
Report
To give an account or representation of in words;
Discreet Italian police described it in a manner typically continental
Report
Announce as the result of an investigation, or announce something to the proper authorities;
Dozens of incidents of wife beatings are reported daily in this city
The team reported significant advances in their research
Report
Announce one's presence;
I report to work every day at 9 o'clock
Report
Make known to the authorities;
One student reported the other to the principal
Report
Be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism;
Snow reported on China in the 1950's
The cub reporter covered New York City
Report
Complain about; make a charge against;
I reported her to the superviser
Report
A formal account or statement of facts or events.
The lab report detailed the experiment's results.
Report
An official document presenting research findings.
The business report highlighted quarterly earnings.
Report
A written or spoken account of a specific event.
She gave a report on the recent conference.
Report
An analysis or description based on investigation.
The police filed a report on the incident.
Common Curiosities
Can an essay include personal opinions?
Yes, essays often include personal opinions, insights, or interpretations.
How long can an essay be?
Essays vary in length, from short compositions to lengthy explorations, depending on the assignment or publication.
Do all essays require citations?
Not always, but academic essays or those making factual claims typically require citations.
Can essays be narrative?
Yes, narrative essays tell a story or describe personal experiences.
What is the primary goal of an essay?
An essay aims to present arguments or perspectives on a specific topic.
What's the main content of a report's methodology section?
The methodology section details the procedures and techniques used in the research or investigation.
Are reports always objective?
Reports aim to be objective, presenting factual information and findings from research or investigation.
How is a report structured differently from an essay?
A report follows a rigid structure with specific sections like methodology and findings, whereas an essay has a more flexible structure.
Are reports only used in academic settings?
No, reports are used in various contexts, including business, science, and research.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
