Even though a report also contains information, there’s a difference between a news article and a report: while news articles deal with new stories, reports usually deal with subjects that are known to readers, whether it is to call attention to a subject that’s been ignored or to go deeper into a familiar subject.
Subjects in news articles can be unexpected political incidents, large-scale disasters, the kidnapping of a known person… anything that could have a somewhat surprising character. In contrast, you can write reports about revue theater, the Inquisition in America, the Modern Art Museum in New York, Empress Carlota’s madness, the last days of Czar Nicholas II, wood engraving or xylography. Subjects are endless: anything that belongs in history and in contemporary life can be used, and its most particular and hidden aspects can be the subject of a report. In the report, wit and the journalist’s skills are important, because, unlike the novelty or sensationalism with which news get the readers’ attention, the report has to show talent, and use resources to make it pleasant, original and eloquent.
Of course, reports are part of a literary genre, and they’re no less important than novels. For example, there are famous books that are nothing more than reports on World War II, or reports on life during Germany’s Third Reich. Great reports are like novels that focus the action not on the characters, but rather on the importance of the events they discuss.
Recent Comments