Review vs. Report — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 8, 2024
A review is an evaluation or critique of something, often expressing an opinion, while a report provides factual information or findings without personal opinions.
Difference Between Review and Report
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
A review typically involves analyzing and critiquing a product, service, performance, or piece of work. It aims to offer an opinion based on the reviewer's experience and analysis, guiding others in their decisions or providing feedback to creators. For instance, a book review assesses the content, style, and impact of the work, offering insights that might influence potential readers' choices. On the other hand, a report is a structured document or presentation that provides detailed information on a specific topic, situation, or study. It is factual and objective, focusing on delivering clear and concise data, findings, and conclusions without incorporating the author's personal views. An annual financial report of a company, for example, outlines its financial performance over the year, presenting data on revenue, expenses, and net profit.
Reviews are subjective and can vary significantly based on the reviewer's preferences, expectations, and experiences. They may cover a wide range of aspects, such as quality, usability, value, or aesthetic appeal, and often include both strengths and weaknesses. Whereas reports are objective, aiming to present information as accurately and neutrally as possible. They rely on research, analysis, and evidence to support the information presented, ensuring credibility and reliability.
The purpose of a review is to inform, persuade, or entertain the audience by sharing the reviewer's personal opinion and experience with the subject. It serves as a tool for reflection, criticism, or recommendation. Conversely, the purpose of a report is to inform and sometimes to make recommendations based on factual evidence and analysis, but it does not seek to persuade the audience with personal opinions. Reports are often used in academic, professional, and technical contexts where objective information is required for decision-making.
The structure of a review and a report also differs. A review might follow a less formal structure, with a focus on narrative and personal insight, allowing the reviewer some creative freedom in how they present their evaluation. Meanwhile, a report follows a more formal and standardized structure, including sections like an executive summary, introduction, methodology, findings, conclusions, and recommendations, aiming for clarity, precision, and ease of reference.
Reviews are often targeted at consumers, enthusiasts, or followers of a particular field, such as literature, technology, or entertainment. They are designed to be accessible and engaging, helping readers or viewers make informed choices. Reports target a more specialized audience, such as academics, professionals, or decision-makers, who require detailed information and analysis for research, planning, or policy formulation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
An evaluation or critique offering personal opinions
A factual document presenting information and findings
Nature
Subjective
Objective
Purpose
To inform, persuade, or entertain by sharing opinions
To inform by presenting facts and analysis
Structure
Flexible, narrative-focused
Formal, with standardized sections
Audience
General public, consumers
Specialists, professionals, decision-makers
Content
Opinions, experiences, ratings
Data, analysis, evidence
Focus
Quality, usability, aesthetic appeal
Factual findings, conclusions, recommendations
Compare with Definitions
Review
Film review.
The film review praised the acting but criticized the plot.
Report
Incident report.
The incident report documented the event and suggested preventive measures.
Review
Book review.
The book review dissected the themes and character development.
Report
Financial report.
The financial report summarized the company's fiscal performance.
Review
Product review.
The product review highlighted its ease of use and durability.
Report
Research report.
The research report detailed the study's methodology and findings.
Review
Restaurant review.
The restaurant review raved about the innovative cuisine.
Report
Project report.
The project report outlined the objectives, progress, and outcomes.
Review
Software review.
The software review focused on user interface and functionality.
Report
Market analysis report.
The market analysis report forecasted trends and opportunities.
Review
A review is an evaluation of a publication, service, or company such as a movie (a movie review), video game (video game review), musical composition (music review of a composition or recording), book (book review); a piece of hardware like a car, home appliance, or computer; or softwares such as business software, sales softwares; or an event or performance, such as a live music concert, play, musical theater show, dance show or art exhibition. In addition to a critical evaluation, the review's author may assign the work a rating to indicate its relative merit.
Report
(Archaic) Common talk; rumor or gossip.
Review
To look over, study, or examine again
Reviewed last week's lesson.
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.
Review
To consider retrospectively; look back on
Reviewed the day's events.
Report
A formal account of the proceedings or transactions of a group
A company's annual report.
Review
To examine with an eye to criticism or correction
Reviewed the research findings.
Report
A spoken or written account of an event, usually presented in detail
A news report.
Reports of children getting food poisoning.
Review
To write or give a critical report on (a new work or performance, for example).
Report
A person who is accountable or subordinate to another person within a company or organization
A manager with two reports.
Review
(Law) To evaluate (a decision made by or action taken by a lower court) to determine whether any error was made.
Report
Reports(Law) Bound volumes containing the published court opinions in legal cases, intended to provide a reference for precedents in subsequent cases.
Review
To subject to a formal inspection, especially a military inspection.
Report
Reputation; repute
We know him only by report.
Review
To go over or restudy material
Reviewing for a final exam.
Report
An explosive noise
The report of a rifle.
Review
To write critical reviews, especially for a newspaper or magazine.
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.
Review
A reexamination or reconsideration.
Report
To write or provide an account or summation of for publication or broadcast
Report the news.
Review
A retrospective view or survey.
Report
To tell about the presence or occurrence of
A burglar was reported in the area.
Review
A restudying of subject matter.
Report
To relate or tell, especially from personal experience
They reported that fallen tree limbs were blocking the road.
Review
An exercise for use in restudying material.
Report
To submit or relate the results of considerations concerning
The committee reported the bill.
Review
A report or essay giving a critical estimate of a work or performance.
Report
To carry back and repeat to another
Reported the rumor of a strike.
Review
A periodical devoted to articles and essays on current affairs, literature, or art.
Report
To complain about or denounce
Reported the students to the principal.
Review
An inspection or examination for the purpose of evaluation.
Report
To make a report
Would you please report on what happened?.
Review
A formal military inspection.
Report
To serve as a reporter for a publication, broadcasting company, or other news media.
Review
A formal military ceremony held in honor of a person or occasion.
Report
To present oneself
Report for duty.
Review
(Law) An evaluation conducted by a higher court of a decision made or action taken by a lower court to determine whether any error was made.
Report
To be accountable or subordinate to someone
She reports directly to the board of directors.
Review
A musical show consisting of often satirical skits, songs, and dances; a revue.
Report
(transitive) To repeat (something one has heard), to retell; to pass on, convey (a message, information etc.).
Review
A second or subsequent reading of a text or artifact in an attempt to gain new insights.
I need to make a review of the book before I can understand it.
Report
To take oneself (to someone or something) for guidance or support; to appeal.
Review
An account intended as a critical evaluation of a text or a piece of work.
The newspaper review was full of praise for the play.
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.
Review
(legal) A judicial reassessment of a case or an event.
The victims demanded a full judicial review of the case.
Report
(transitive) To make a formal statement, especially of complaint, about (someone).
If you do that again I'll report you to the boss.
Review
A stage show made up of topical sketches etc.
The Cambridge Footlights Review launched many Monty Python faces.
Report
(intransitive) To show up or appear at an appointed time; to present oneself.
Review
A survey of the available items or material.
The magazine contained a review of Paris restaurants.
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.
Review
A periodical which makes a survey of the arts or some other field.
The Times Literary Review is published in London.
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.
Review
A military inspection or display for the benefit of superiors or VIPs.
The troops assembled for a review by the Queen.
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.
Review
A forensic inspection to assess compliance with regulations or some code.
The regulators demanded a review against NYSE practices.
Report
To take minutes of (a speech, the doings of a public body, etc.); to write down from the lips of a speaker.
Review
To survey; to look broadly over.
Before I tackle the question directly, I must briefly review historical approaches to the problem.
Report
(obsolete) To refer.
Review
To write a critical evaluation of a new art work etc.; to write a review.
The critic reviews every new play in London.
Report
To return or repeat, as sound; to echo.
Review
To look back over in order to correct or edit; to revise.
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.
Review
To look over again (something previously written or learned), especially in preparation for an examination.
Report
Reputation.
Review
(obsolete) To view or see again; to look back on.
Report
(firearms) The sharp, loud sound from a gun or explosion.
Review
(obsolete) To retrace; to go over again.
Report
An employee whose position in a corporate hierarchy is below that of a particular manager.
Review
To view or see again; to look back on.
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.
Review
To go over and examine critically or deliberately.
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.
Review
To retrace; to go over again.
Shall I the long, laborious scene review?
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.
Review
To look back; to make a review.
Report
To give an official account or statement of; as, a treasurer reports the receipts and expenditures.
Review
A second or repeated view; a reëxamination; a retrospective survey; a looking over again; as, a review of one's studies; a review of life.
Report
To return or repeat, as sound; to echo.
Review
An examination with a view to amendment or improvement; revision; as, an author's review of his works.
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.
Review
A critical examination of a publication, with remarks; a criticism; a critique.
Report
To make minutes of, as a speech, or the doings of a public body; to write down from the lips of a speaker.
Review
A periodical containing critical essays upon matters of interest, as new productions in literature, art, etc.
Report
To write an account of for publication, as in a newspaper; as, to report a public celebration or a horse race.
Review
An inspection, as of troops under arms or of a naval force, by a high officer, for the purpose of ascertaining the state of discipline, equipments, etc.
Report
To make a statement of the conduct of, especially in an unfavorable sense; as, to report a servant to his employer.
Review
The judicial examination of the proceedings of a lower court by a higher.
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.
Review
A lesson studied or recited for a second time.
Report
To furnish in writing an account of a speech, the proceedings at a meeting, the particulars of an occurrence, etc., for publication.
Review
A new appraisal or evaluation
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.
Review
An essay or article that gives a critical evaluation (as of a book or play)
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.
Review
A subsequent examination of a patient for the purpose of monitoring earlier treatment
Report
Sound; noise; as, the report of a pistol or cannon.
Review
(accounting) a service (less exhaustive than an audit) that provides some assurance to interested parties as to the reliability of financial data
Report
Rapport; relation; connection; reference.
The corridors worse, having no report to the wings they join to.
Review
A variety show with topical sketches and songs and dancing and comedians
Report
A written document describing the findings of some individual or group;
This accords with the recent study by Hill and Dale
Review
A periodical that publishes critical essays on current affairs or literature or art
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
Review
A summary at the end that repeats the substance of a longer discussion
Report
The act of informing by verbal report;
He heard reports that they were causing trouble
By all accounts they were a happy couple
Review
(law) a judicial reexamination of the proceedings of a court (especially by an appellate court)
Report
A sharp explosive sound (especially the sound of a gun firing);
They heard a violent report followed by silence
Review
Practice intended to polish performance or refresh the memory
Report
A written evaluation of a student's scholarship and deportment;
His father signed his report card
Review
A formal or official examination;
The platoon stood ready for review
We had to wait for the inspection before we could use the elevator
Report
An essay (especially one written as an assignment);
He got an A on his composition
Review
Look at again; examine again;
Let's review your situation
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
Review
Appraise critically;
She reviews books for the New York Times
Please critique this performance
Report
To give an account or representation of in words;
Discreet Italian police described it in a manner typically continental
Review
Hold a review (of troops)
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
Review
Refresh one's memory;
I reviewed the material before the test
Report
Announce one's presence;
I report to work every day at 9 o'clock
Review
Look back upon (a period of time, sequence of events, etc.); remember;
She reviewed her achievements with pride
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
Common Curiosities
How do reviews and reports differ in nature?
Reviews are subjective, while reports are objective.
Who is the target audience for reviews and reports?
Reviews target a general audience, while reports are aimed at specialists or professionals.
Can a review be part of a report?
Yes, a review can be included in a report as part of an analysis or evaluation, but the report itself remains factual.
Why are reviews important?
Reviews help consumers make informed decisions and provide feedback to creators or manufacturers.
What does a report provide?
A report provides factual information and findings on a specific topic, without personal opinions.
Is the structure of a report flexible?
Reports follow a more formal and standardized structure, although the specifics can vary by type and purpose.
Do reviews influence consumer behavior?
Yes, reviews significantly influence consumer choices and perceptions of products or services.
How do reports assist in professional settings?
Reports provide the necessary information and analysis for planning, decision-making, and strategy formulation in professional settings.
What is a review?
A review is an assessment that expresses the reviewer's opinion and experience with a subject.
Why are reports necessary?
Reports provide detailed information and analysis essential for research, decision-making, and policy formulation.
How is the content of a review different from a report?
A review contains personal opinions and experiences, whereas a report includes data, analysis, and evidence.
Are reviews always positive?
No, reviews can be positive, negative, or mixed, depending on the reviewer's experience and opinion.
Can reports include recommendations?
Yes, reports often include recommendations based on factual analysis and findings.
What role do evidence and research play in reports?
Evidence and research are foundational to reports, ensuring the information presented is credible and reliable.
Can the audience impact the presentation of reviews and reports?
Yes, the intended audience influences the language, detail, and presentation style of both reviews and reports to ensure appropriateness and effectiveness.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
System vs. Process
Next Comparison
Omeprazole vs. PantoprazoleAuthor Spotlight
Written by
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.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
