What is the Difference Between Report and Essay?

The main difference between a report and an essay lies in their purpose, content, and structure. Here are the key differences between the two:

1. Purpose: Reports are informative and fact-based, providing objective information and analysis of findings, while essays are argumentative and idea-based, expressing the author's own ideas and knowledge about a subject.
2. Content: Reports often include tables, charts, diagrams, and descriptions of the methods used, while essays usually do not contain these elements. Essays typically focus on the author's interpretation and argumentation of a topic, using subjective analysis of theories and past research.
3. Structure: Reports are highly structured, divided into sections with headings and subheadings, and can be read in isolation of the main text. Essays, on the other hand, have a more straightforward structure, usually including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion, with topic sentences and conclusions that relate back to the main thesis.
4. Audience: Reports are often written for a specific audience, such as a company or organization, and may focus on practical issues. Essays are more common in academic settings, particularly in Arts and Humanities subjects, and aim to showcase the author's ability to present and evaluate arguments.

In summary, reports are informative and fact-based documents that provide objective information and analysis, while essays are argumentative and idea-based, focusing on the author's interpretation and argumentation of a topic. Reports have a highly structured format, while essays follow a more straightforward structure.

Comparative Table: Report vs Essay

Here is a table summarizing the key differences between reports and essays:

Remember that the specific requirements for each assignment may vary depending on your course, module, and subject conventions, so always consult your course materials and lecturer's instructions.