How Do You Write an Observation Report?

To write an observation report, do research through print and electronic sources, direct observation and interviews, then take clear and accurate field notes. Find the story’s angle, and use detailed description that supports it. Organize the report around a narrative thread if possible, and use clear, precise and economical language.

Unlike a news report, an observation report is written from a first-person perspective. Observation reports vary depending on the purpose of the observation and the report’s audience. An observation report can either record just what the writer observed or feature the writer’s interpretation and conclusions. Field notes are the basis of observation reports, so it is important to take detailed and accurate notes.