Tipos de texto (Text types)
Completion requirements
Note from the author: Most of the content in this section has been written in English to help students grasp concepts quickly. Subsections intended for teachers are presented in Spanish.
12. Informe
A report (un informe) is a formal text used to present information, facts or findings about a specific topic. It is often written in response to a request from someone in authority (e.g., a teacher, principal, club president) and is not personal or opinion-based, although it may include recommendations.
Examples:
- Informe de evaluación (Evaluation report)
- Informe de observación (Observation report)
- Informe de encuesta (Survey report)
- Informe de progreso (Personal progress report)
- Informe de propuesta de mejora (Proposal-based report)
- Informe escolar (School report)
- Informe de prácticas (Internship report)
- Informe de reunión (Meeting report)
Model text and key features
| Context | Audience | Purpose |
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Key words
The following key words in the exam may suggest that the appropriate text type is a report (informe).
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Español
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Inglés
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Informar
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To inform
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Analizar
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To analyze
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| Recomendar |
To recommend
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| Sugerir |
To suggest
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| Aconsejar |
To advise
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| Proponer |
To propose
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Key points at a glance
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Format
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Message
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Language
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Key features, tips and examples
- Must be clear and specific.
- Must be balanced and objective; avoid writing a catchy or sensationalist title.
Examples:
- Informe sobre el taller inclusivo 'Conectando generaciones'
- Informe sobre el uso de la biblioteca escolar
- Informe sobre el progreso de mis actividades de CAS - Primer semestre
The introduction must explain why the report is being written.
Examples:
- Este informe presenta los resultados de...
- El propósito de este informe es analizar cómo...
- Este informe tiene como objetivo evaluar...
- The body is organized into clear sections with subheadings.
- Each section presents facts, observations, or data.
- Reports should be written in complete sentences and organized in structured paragraphs, with clear transitions and impersonal phrasing.
- Avoid using bullet points. In real-world reports, they may be acceptable for listing observations or recommendations. However, in the context of the exam, it’s safer to avoid them to maximize marks in Criterion B and C, as bullet points interrupt the flow and may be considered too informal or fragmented for a report.
Examples of subheadings:
- Actividades realizadas: (Activities carried out)
- Fortalezas: (Strengths)
- Debilidades: (Weaknesses)
- Observaciones: / Resultados obervados: (Observations / Observed results)
- Dificultades: / Retos: / Desafíos: (Difficulties / Challenges)
- Lecciones aprendidas: (Lessons learned)
Examples of impersonal phrasing:
- Se organizó / Se organizaron... (It was/They were organized)
- Se llevó a cabo / Se llevaron a cabo... (It was/They were carried out)
- Se observó que... (It was observed that)
- Se identificaron algunos problemas (Some issues were indentified)
The conclusion usually includes an evaluation and, in some cases, recommendations.
Examples:
- En conclusión,
- La experiencia fue valorada positivamente...
- Se recomienda...
- Se sugiere...
Note that a very similar text type is the proposal (propuesta), which is included in the syllabus for Spanish B SL/HL but not in Ab Initio. The proposal uses a more persuasive tone than the report. While the main goal of a report is to present objective facts, the main goal of a proposal is to offer solutions to an identified problem or need.
Test your skills
Escribe entre 70 y 150 palabras.
Has terminado las actividades de Creatividad de este semestre. Escribe un texto a tu coordinador/a de CAS para informarle de tu progreso. Menciona las actividades que has hecho, las dificultades que tuviste y lo que planeas hacer el próximo semestre.
| Carta | Informe | Presentación |
Reflect
- What would be the second and third best text types for this task?
- What would you have done differently if you were writing a letter instead of a report?
- What would you have done differently if you were writing a presentation instead of a report?
Click on the link to read a student sample for this prompt. Analyze it before reading the marking notes.
You can access a plethora of models, exam prompts, marking comments, and more in various areas of this site, particularly in the evaluation booklets at the end of each thematic unit. For quick access to all activities related to this text type, click on the 'INFORME' tag on the Home Page.
Download: Printable cheat sheet
Activities: Informes sobre nuestro colegio
- Preparation and collaborative work: The purpose of the activity is to analyze different aspects of our school life and write recommendations to the relevant authorities. The class will be divided into different focus groups. In your group, you will create a short questionnaire in Spanish (around five questions) to gather information from other students about your topic. You will create a survey using Google Forms and share it with your class.
- Preparation and individual work: You will answer all the surveys created by your classmates.
- Collaborative and creative work: Using the data collected from your survey, your group will write a report including recommendations. Write your report in a Google Doc and share it with your teacher with editing permissions.
- Reflection: Using the projector, the reports will be read aloud in class and will receive peer feedback and corrections.
De Profe a Profe
Imprime el documento y recorta las fichas para distribuirlas entre tus grupos focales de trabajo. Para cambiar o reformular las instrucciones, solo tienes que hacer una copia del documento.La mejor forma de trabajar los diferentes tipos de texto es dentro de un marco auténtico. En la lección anterior (folleto), te sugería un proyecto de CAS para tus alumnos. Al concluir el proyecto, pídeles que escriban un informe sobre el mismo, analizando lo que fue bien y las dificultades que enfrentaron. En sus conclusiones deberán ofrecer recomendaciones para los alumnos que realicen el mismo proyecto al año siguiente.
Otra idea de explotación es pedir a cada alumno que escriba un informe semestral sobre su progreso en clase de español. En él deberán escribir sobre sus resultados, las actividades en las que han participado más activamente, las dificultades que han experimentado y sus planes para el próximo semestre. Pídeles que escriban este informe con la máxima sinceridad, ya que te servirá de base para la discusión en la reunión de profesores, padres y alumnos. Esto no solo les servirá para trabajar el informe como tipo de texto, sino también para desarrollar su capacidad de reflexión. Recuerda que el BI define este atributo como la capacidad de evaluar las propias fortalezas y debilidades para mejorar el propio aprendizaje y desarrollo.