12 Best Report Writing Topics: It's Time To Get Started (2023)

Stumped while brainstorming report writing topics? We’ve got your back. Take a look at our list of interesting-to-research report ideas.

Completing a research report for a high school or college English class can be a great way to show off your smarts or interest in a topic, but it can be tough to figure out where to start. Choosing a topic that interests you is an important part of getting started. The more curious you are about your chosen topic, the more interested you’ll be in the research process.

Choose a topic from our list below to show off your writing skills—we’ve got options that work for several different types of report writing formats.If you’re stuck picking your next essay topic, check out our round-up of essay topics about education.

Contents

  • 1. Technology’s Effect on Society
  • 2. Gun Control in America
  • 3. Anxiety and Social Media
  • 4. Present-Day Slavery
  • 5. Should Assisted Suicide be Legal?
  • 6. The Draft’s History in America
  • 7. No Child Left Behind: Did It Work?
  • 8. The BP Oil Spill: 12 Years Later
  • 9. Parental Leave Around the World
  • 10. The Insanity Plea
  • 12. Trans Rights: At What Age Should a Person be Legally Allowed to Transition
  • Author

1. Technology’s Effect on Society

12 Best Report Writing Topics: It's Time To Get Started (1)

In many ways,technology makes our lives easier, but today’s tech-heavy society can also have detrimental effects. Some people find that they must always be reachable due to constant access through email and cell phones, while others appreciate instant access to the people closest to them.

In a research report on how technology affects today’s society, you can focus on both sides of the coin, touching on how technology makes life easier and how it can affect relationships and work-life balance. It’s also smart to discuss how technology has positively affected medical care and how the overuse of technology has contributed to health issues (including an increasingly sedentary lifestyle). Be sure to back up your points with background information based on research.

2. Gun Control in America

Gun controlin the United States is a controversial topic. This type of academic report can either be written as a report that presents both sides of a story or as a persuasive report that argues one side. People who are for gun control argue that access to guns increases the risk of violence in the United States, while people who are against gun control argue that guns themselves aren’t responsible for deaths and violence.

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While presenting this topic in a formal report, discuss the history of gun control in the United States. You may also want to consider comparing gun violence rates in the United States with gun violence in other countries, as well as comparing gun control laws in the U.S. to gun control laws in other countries. Be sure to check your sources carefully when writing about gun control, and choose unbiased sources as often as possible.

3. Anxiety and Social Media

12 Best Report Writing Topics: It's Time To Get Started (2)

It’s tough to avoid social media in today’s day and age. While many people find social media a valuable tool for keeping in touch with family and friends, others find apps like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to induce stress.Research shows that using social media can have an addictive effect, as scrolling through a social media app affects the brain’s levels of dopamine, a feel-good chemical.

The high associated with scrolling social media can become addictive. People may find themselves stuck in the downward spiral of scrolling for a dopamine hit, followed by comparing themselves to others, negatively affecting their self-esteem. In a paper on this topic, explore how cutting down on social media can relieve adolescent anxiety and explain how social media can also be used to boost self-esteem positively.

4. Present-Day Slavery

While many think of slavery as a thing of the past, the concept is still sadly alive today. This can be an emotional and tough topic to research and write about. Still, itcaneducateyour readers about the harsh reality of present-day slavery, bringing attention to an issue that often goes ignored.

According to antislavery.org, nearly 50 million people live in modern-day slavery, and approximately 25% of modern-day enslaved people are children. There are many forms of modern-day slavery, including forced marriage, domestic servitude, forced labor, human trafficking, and descent-based slavery (when enslaved children are also forced to work as enslaved people). For your research report on present-day slavery, you may focus on one of these areas or explore the concept of modern-day slavery as a whole.

5. Should Assisted Suicide be Legal?

Many people who have experienced the death of a loved one have struggled to watch them suffer and have wished that there was something they could do to help them end their suffering. In some states in America,assisted suicide has become legal. This means that a person who is terminally ill can work with their medical treatment team to develop a plan to die on their terms.

Some people are against assisted suicide and believe people should not be able to choose how and when they’ll die. In contrast, others feel that allowing people to choose their time of death following a diagnosis of a terminal illness allows them to pass away with dignity.

This is another topic that can either work as an informational or persuasive essay. If you have strong feelings on the topic, be sure to present both sides of the argument and your personal opinion on your point of view. You’ll also want to be sure to touch on the history of assisted suicide in the United States and views on assisted suicide around the world, as the practice is common in many areas of the world.

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6. The Draft’s History in America

The draft in the United States dictates that any male over the age of 18 can be called to military service in times of war. While some people believe that the draft is outdated andshould be left behind, others believe thatthe draft still has a place in America.

This topic can work either as a research report or a persuasive essay. If you can, talking with a military veteran who began their service due to the draft can help bring realism to your report. You may also want to talk with people who left the country to avoid the draft.

While the draft currently can only bring men to military service, some people believe that women should also be able to be drafted. Discussing this aspect of the history of the draft in the United States can add an exciting aspect to your report.

7. No Child Left Behind: Did It Work?

No Child Left Behindwas enacted by President George W. Bush and was in effect from 2002-2015. The law rewarded teachers and schools for having high-performing classrooms and penalized schools that did not perform up to par. While some people felt that the law was the right thing to keep schools accountable for student progress, others felt that it kept disadvantaged students at a disadvantage instead of providing teachers and schools with the support they needed to achieve.

While some schools rose to the challenges of No Child Left Behind, others struggled. In an essay on the topic, you’ll need to form your own opinion on whether NCLB was an effective law for education in the United States. You may want to interview educators and administrators working in schools during the No Child Left Behind era to get firsthand opinions on whether the laws were adequate.

8. The BP Oil Spill: 12 Years Later

Also known as theDeepwater Horizon oil spill, the BP oil spill occurred on April 20, 2021, and spilled more than 130 million gallons off the Gulf of Mexico near New Othe Orleans, Louisiana coast. The effects of the BP oil spill are still being felt in the area more than a decade later.

There are several different directions you can go while reporting on the effects of the BP oil spill. The animal and plant life in the area is still suffering from the spill’s effects. People in the area are also struggling, especially those who made a living fishing off the coast. Tourism in the area has also been affected, leaving many people in New Orleans struggling to make ends meet.

The length of your research paper will determine how in-depth you can go with the topic. If you’re writing a shorter research paper, it’s wise to choose one of the topics (how the spill has affected the economy of the area, wildlife, tourism, etc.). If you’re writing a longer research paper, split it into subheadings so you can fully delve into each facet of the topic.

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9. Parental Leave Around the World

Many parents in the United States struggle to make ends meet following the birth of a child due to the short amount of time that companies are required to give parents after they welcome a baby into their home. While the United Nations recommends that mothers have at least four months to recover after giving birth,the United States has no federal requirement for parental leave.

While researching this issue, it’s key to explain the differences between how new parents are treated in the United States compared to other countries and how this treatment affects both the stress levels and job performance of new parents. You’ll want to be sure to look at both sides of the issue, also explaining how the lack of a federally mandated parental leave policy can affect companies.

10. The Insanity Plea

In the United States, a person can be found not guilty of a crime because of insanity. This means that the person accused of a crime isn’t found innocent—the court has decided that they could not understand the severity of the crime. Some people argue that people should not be able to plead insanity after committing a crime, as the crime occurred whether they understood their actions or not. Others argue that the insanity defense is necessary to protect people who do not understand the consequences of their actions.

When writing a research paper on the insanity defense, it’s key to include examples from real-life legal cases, such as theSteven Steinberg case (1981). Mr. Steinberg claimed he was sleepwalking and dreaming about a break-in to his home when he stabbed and killed his wife. Steinberg was found not guilty due to temporary insanity, as the jury decided he was not in his right mind when the crime occurred.

12. Trans Rights: At What Age Should a Person be Legally Allowed to Transition

12 Best Report Writing Topics: It's Time To Get Started (3)

Transgender health has received a lot of attention in the news recently, and one of the most commonly debated topics in the transgender health medical community is at what age it makes sense for people who are transgender to begin taking hormones and undergo surgical procedures that allow their body to be in alignment with their gender identification.

According to AP News, “The World Professional Association for Transgender Health said hormones could be started at age 14, two years earlier than the group’s previous advice, and some surgeries are done at age 15 or 17, a year or so earlier than previous guidance.”

Digging into the current research on transgender health and gender dysphoria can help you determine your position on this issue. Be sure that the news sources you use are current, as research in this area is constantly evolving. You’ll want to be sure you’re basing your opinion on the most up-to-date information from the medical community.

If you’d like to learn more, in this guide our writer explains how to write an argumentative essay.

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FAQs

What are the best topics for writing a report? ›

English: Technical Reporting: Choose a Topic
  • Impact of layoffs at work.
  • Generational differences at work.
  • Employee burnout.
  • Executive pay.
  • Sustainability in workplace.
  • Fitting in at work.
  • Employee recognition.
  • Sustainably designed offices.
Dec 16, 2022

What are some examples of topics? ›

Topic Examples
  • Education: Sex education, homeschooling, school bullying, non-smoking campus, learning disabilities, Common Core, affirmative action.
  • Equality/Human Rights: ...
  • Community/Social Issues: ...
  • Romantic Relationships: ...
  • Family/Friends: ...
  • Recreation/Hobbies: ...
  • Work: ...
  • Identity/Appearance:

What are the 5 steps in report writing? ›

  1. 5 Step Guide to Report Writing.
  2. Read the brief/terms of reference carefully. The brief should tell you: ...
  3. Plan each section. ...
  4. Relate findings to background research. ...
  5. Put yourself in the position of the reader. ...
  6. Edit ruthlessly and proofread.

What are the top 3 reports? ›

Key Takeaways

The three major credit reporting bureaus in the United States are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

What are the 11 parts of report? ›

The key elements of a report
  • Title page.
  • Table of contents.
  • Executive summary.
  • Introduction.
  • Discussion.
  • Conclusion.
  • Recommendations.
  • References.

What are the 6 basic questions in report writing? ›

We know the basic questions that journalists strive to answer when chasing a news story — questions starting with “who,” “what,” “where,” "when,” “why” and “how.” Here are a few other questions I like to ask writers — usually right before they start their reporting, and then right before they sit down to write.

What are the 7 essentials of report writing? ›

They are: who, what, when, where, why, how, and action taken.

What are the 5 common topics examples? ›

The five common topics are: definition, comparison, circumstance, relationship, and authority.

What are the most popular topics? ›

With that, here is a collection of trending topics worth keeping an eye on:
  • Side Hustle. ...
  • Prime Gaming. ...
  • Cat Toothpaste. ...
  • Brightwheel. ...
  • Vitamin C Serum. 5-year search growth: 350% ...
  • Drunk Elephant. 5-year search growth: 288% ...
  • Regenerative Agriculture. 5-year search growth: 672% ...
  • Banana Ketchup. 5-year search growth: 60%
May 1, 2023

What are the top 5 most researched topics? ›

  • Entrepreneur Studies.
  • Research Methodology.
  • Legal Research.
  • Auditing.
  • Finance.
  • Economics.
  • Banking.
  • Insurance.

What are the 3 basic report writing skills? ›

Report writing skills may include writing, editing and researching. You can use these skills to create an impressive report with clear and meaningful content.

What are the 8 part of a report? ›

Parts of a Business Report

So, broadly here's what we have as sub-headings in a report for a business student in the given order: Executive summary, table of contents, introduction, body, conclusion, references, Appendices.

What are the types of report writing class 12? ›

A: Newspaper report format and magazine report format are the two types of reports writing.

What is report writing and example? ›

Report writing is a formal style of writing elaborately on a topic. The tone of a report and report writing format is always formal. The important section to focus on is the target audience. For example – report writing about a school event, report writing about a business case, etc.

What are the four 4 common types of technical reports? ›

Technical reports come in several forms, such as feasibility reports, primary research reports, business plans and prospectuses, short-form proposals, press releases, case studies, etc.

What should I track with Google Analytics? ›

14 metrics that marketers should export from Google Analytics
  • Number of users and sessions.
  • Average session duration.
  • Average pages per session.
  • Ratio of new to returning visitors.
  • Bounce Rate.
  • Organic vs. paid sessions.
  • Google Ads.
  • Search Console – Queries.

What are the 7 parts of a research report? ›

A complete research paper in APA style that is reporting on experimental research will typically contain a Title page, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and References sections. Many will also contain Figures and Tables and some will have an Appendix or Appendices.

What are the 7 sections of an academic reports? ›

Key parts of an academic report
  • Title page. This page lists the key information about your report.
  • Author declaration. ...
  • Abstract (or Executive Summary) ...
  • Acknowledgements. ...
  • Table of Contents. ...
  • Introduction. ...
  • Literature review. ...
  • Method(s) (or Methodology or Research design)

What are the 9 basic contents of a business report? ›

a title page • an executive summary • a table of contents • an introduction • conclusions • recommendations • findings and discussion • a list of references • appendices. Often a letter is attached to a report to officially introduce the report to the recipient.

What are the 4 C's of report writing? ›

To this end, I find it helpful to think about the hallmarks of effective writing, what I call the four Cs of effective writing. Effective writing is clear, complete, concise, and correct.

What are the 5 question words for reporting? ›

They include Who, What, When Where, and Why. The 5 Ws are often mentioned in journalism (cf. news style), research, and police investigations. They constitute a formula for getting the complete story on a subject.

What is report writing checklist? ›

In order to do well, you need to do the following: Check with your tutor which report sections you need to include. Understand clearly what information goes into each of the sections. Know if you are expected to draw conclusions and make recommendations. Be clear what the purpose of your report is.

What are the eight 8 criteria to be considered in report writing? ›

Here are some tips:
  • Write as you speak.
  • Avoid empty words.
  • Use descending order of importance.
  • Use the active voice.
  • Keep sentences short.
  • Don't try to impress; write to express.
  • Get facts 100% right.
  • Be unbiased and open.
Oct 7, 2011

What are the 5 purposes of report writing? ›

Reports may be formal or informal, informative or analytical. They may be intended to provide updates, influence action, provide information, and/or offer different perspectives important in an organization's discussion of an issue.

What interesting topics are there? ›

Top 10 interesting things to talk about
  • Dreams and aspirations. ...
  • Phases of life. ...
  • Life after death. ...
  • Hobbies and passions. ...
  • Authenticity. ...
  • Personal heroes. ...
  • New inventions. ...
  • Creativity.
Mar 2, 2021

What are key topics? ›

key topic definition, key topic meaning | English dictionary

1 a subject or theme of a speech, essay, book, etc. 2 a subject of conversation; item of discussion. 3 (in rhetoric, logic, etc.) a category or class of arguments or ideas which may be drawn on to furnish proofs.

What is a current topic? ›

Current topic means a topic that is time sensitive as well as time evolving or attractive. Sample 1.

What are the 10 example of research? ›

10 examples of research plans
  • Descriptive research plan. ...
  • Explanatory research plan. ...
  • Exploratory research plan. ...
  • Experimental research plan. ...
  • Causal research plan. ...
  • Correlational research plan. ...
  • Diagnostic research plan. ...
  • Case study.
Sep 30, 2022

What are the 2 types of report writing? ›

Informal reports and formal reports have two major categories: informational and analytical reports.

What is the key to report writing? ›

A report is written with a clear purpose and for a specific audience and, as with all types of academic writing, clarity and conciseness is key. guidelines contained in your brief and also ensure that you use headings to guide your reader as you move from section to section.

What should not be kept in mind while writing a report? ›

The length of the report should be kept keeping in view the fact that it should cover the subject in length but it should be short enough to maintain the interest of readers. The report should not be dull. It should be such as to sustain one's interest.

What are the basic parts of a report? ›

Formal reports contain three major components. The front matter of a formal report includes a title page, cover letter, table of contents, table of illustrations, and an abstract or executive summary. The text of the report is its core and contains an introduction, discussion and recommendations, and conclusion.

What are the 3 C's report writing? ›

Writing well isn't that difficult if you follow the 3 Cs – Clarity, Conciseness and Consistency.

What is report writing with example? ›

Report writing is a formal style of writing elaborately on a topic. The tone of a report and report writing format is always formal. The important section to focus on is the target audience. For example – report writing about a school event, report writing about a business case, etc.

What are the 2 general types of report? ›

Informal reports and formal reports have two major categories: informational and analytical reports. It's important to keep in mind that both informal and formal reports can fall into these categories (i.e., you can have an informal informational report or a formal informational report).

What are the ABCs of report writing? ›

I call it the ABCs of conclusion writing where "A" (your idea) combines with "B" (your arguments) to get "C" by using integrated thinking to form new, related understanding. The equation is an easy one to remember: A + B = C.

What are the six keys of report writing? ›

The key elements of a report
  • Title page.
  • Table of contents.
  • Executive summary.
  • Introduction.
  • Discussion.
  • Conclusion.
  • Recommendations.
  • References.

What is simple report writing? ›

Essentially, a report is a short, sharp, concise document which is written for a particular purpose and audience. It generally sets outs and analyses a situation or problem, often making recommendations for future action. It is a factual paper, and needs to be clear and well-structured.

What are the 7 steps in which a report can be written? ›

How to write a report in 7 steps
  • 1 Choose a topic based on the assignment.
  • 2 Conduct research.
  • 3 Write a thesis statement.
  • 4 Prepare an outline.
  • 5 Write a rough draft.
  • 6 Revise and edit your report.
  • 7 Proofread and check for mistakes.

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