Report vs. Article — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 1, 2023
A report presents facts and information systematically, while an article is a written composition on a subject, often for publication.
Difference Between Report and Article
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Reports typically focus on conveying information or data gathered from research or an investigation in a structured format. They are commonly used in academic, scientific, or business contexts and are factual, often featuring tables, graphs, and citations. A report's primary objective is to inform its readers succinctly and directly about a specific topic, event, or study.
Articles are written works that are generally intended for publication in newspapers, magazines, journals, or online platforms. Unlike reports, articles are less structured and can include the author's opinions, narratives, and are often intended to persuade or entertain as well as inform. They come in various forms, such as news articles, feature stories, or opinion pieces.
While a report often has sections with headings and subheadings, articles might follow a more narrative structure with paragraphs flowing more like a story. Reports tend to be more straightforward and are formatted to highlight information for quick reference and analysis. Articles allow for creative expression and tend to be more engaging and descriptive.
Reports are typically formal documents that emphasize objectivity and professionalism. They are often the result of some inquiry or assessment, with a clear purpose of detailing outcomes, conclusions, or recommendations. Articles can range from formal to informal, depending on the target audience and publication, and while they can be informative, they are also crafted to hold the reader's interest.
The language in reports is usually more technical and specialized, matching the subject matter and intended audience, which is often more narrowly defined. In contrast, articles tend to use language that is more accessible to a broader audience. Articles can be specialized too, especially in professional or academic journals, but are usually written with a level of readability that suits a wider audience.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
To inform or present research
To inform, entertain, or opine
Structure
Structured with headings/subheadings
More narrative or flowing structure
Language
Technical and formal
Can vary from casual to formal
Audience
Specific to a field or industry
General public or readers with specific interests
Presentation
Includes data, findings, analysis
May include anecdotes, examples, opinions
Compare with Definitions
Report
A report is a document that presents information in an organized format for a specific audience and purpose. Although summaries of reports may be delivered orally, complete reports are almost always in the form of written documents.
Article
A non-fictional literary composition on a topic.
She wrote an article on the impact of social media.
Report
A formal account of facts.
She submitted a detailed report on the project's progress.
Article
A particular item or object
Small household articles
Articles of clothing
Report
An official statement of a particular matter.
The police officer wrote a report on the incident.
Article
A piece of writing included with others in a newspaper, magazine, or other publication
An article about middle-aged executives
Report
To give a spoken or written account of something.
He reports the news for the local newspaper.
Article
A separate clause or paragraph of a legal document or agreement, typically one outlining a single rule or regulation
It is an offence under Article 7 of the Treaty
Report
A formal account of the proceedings or transactions of a group
A company's annual report.
Article
A period of training with a firm as a solicitor, architect, surveyor, or accountant
It may be worth taking articles in a specialized firm
He is already in articles
Report
A spoken or written account of an event, usually presented in detail
A news report.
Reports of children getting food poisoning.
Article
The definite or indefinite article.
Report
A person who is accountable or subordinate to another person within a company or organization
A manager with two reports.
Article
Bind (a trainee solicitor, architect, surveyor, or accountant) to undergo a period of training with a firm in order to become qualified
He was articled to a firm of solicitors in York
Report
Reports(Law) Bound volumes containing the published court opinions in legal cases, intended to provide a reference for precedents in subsequent cases.
Article
An individual thing or element of a class; a particular object or item
An article of clothing.
Articles of food.
Report
Reputation; repute
We know him only by report.
Article
A particular section or item of a series in a written document, as in a contract, constitution, or treaty.
Report
(Archaic) Common talk; rumor or gossip.
Article
A nonfictional literary composition that forms an independent part of a publication, as of a newspaper or magazine.
Report
An explosive noise
The report of a rifle.
Article
The part of speech used to indicate nouns and to specify their application.
Report
To make or present an official or formal account of
The study reported a decline in heart disease. The audit reports that the company lost money.
Article
Any of the words belonging to this part of speech. In English, the indefinite articles are a and an and the definite article is the.
Report
To write or provide an account or summation of for publication or broadcast
Report the news.
Article
A particular part or subject; a specific matter or point.
Report
To tell about the presence or occurrence of
A burglar was reported in the area.
Article
To bind by articles set forth in a contract, such as one of apprenticeship.
Report
To relate or tell, especially from personal experience
They reported that fallen tree limbs were blocking the road.
Article
A piece of nonfictional writing such as a story, report, opinion piece, or entry in a newspaper, magazine, journal, dictionary, encyclopedia, etc.
Report
To submit or relate the results of considerations concerning
The committee reported the bill.
Article
An object, a member of a group or class.
An article of clothing
A sales article
Report
To carry back and repeat to another
Reported the rumor of a strike.
Article
(grammar) A part of speech that indicates, specifies and limits a noun (a, an, or the in English). In some languages the article may appear as an ending (e.g. definite article in Swedish) or there may be none (e.g. Russian, Pashto).
Report
To complain about or denounce
Reported the students to the principal.
Article
A section of a legal document, bylaws, etc. or, in the plural, the entire document seen as a collection of these.
The Articles of War are a set of regulations...to govern the conduct of...military...forces
Report
To make a report
Would you please report on what happened?.
Article
A genuine article.
Report
To serve as a reporter for a publication, broadcasting company, or other news media.
Article
A part or segment of something joined to other parts, or, in combination, forming a structured set.
Each of the chelicerae is composed of two articles, forming a powerful pincer.
Report
To present oneself
Report for duty.
Article
A person; an individual.
A shrewd article
Report
To be accountable or subordinate to someone
She reports directly to the board of directors.
Article
(archaic) A wench.
She's a prime article (whip slang), she's a devilish good piece, a hell of a goer.
Report
(transitive) To repeat (something one has heard), to retell; to pass on, convey (a message, information etc.).
Article
(dated) Subject matter; concern.
Report
To take oneself (to someone or something) for guidance or support; to appeal.
Article
(dated) A distinct part.
Report
To notify someone of (particular intelligence, suspicions, illegality, misconduct etc.); to make notification to relevant authorities; to submit a formal report of.
For insurance reasons, I had to report the theft to the local police station.
Article
(obsolete) A precise point in time; a moment.
Report
(transitive) To make a formal statement, especially of complaint, about (someone).
If you do that again I'll report you to the boss.
Article
(transitive) To bind by articles of apprenticeship.
To article an apprentice to a mechanic
Report
(intransitive) To show up or appear at an appointed time; to present oneself.
Article
(obsolete) To accuse or charge by an exhibition of articles or accusations.
Report
(ambitransitive) To write news reports (for); to cover as a journalist or reporter.
Andrew Marr reports now on more in-fighting at Westminster.
Every newspaper reported the war.
Article
To formulate in articles; to set forth in distinct particulars.
Report
(intransitive) To be accountable to or subordinate to (someone) in a hierarchy; to receive orders from (someone); to give official updates to (someone who is above oneself in a hierarchy).
The financial director reports to the CEO.
Now that I've been promoted, I report to Benjamin, whom I loathe.
Article
A distinct portion of an instrument, discourse, literary work, or any other writing, consisting of two or more particulars, or treating of various topics; as, an article in the Constitution. Hence: A clause in a contract, system of regulations, treaty, or the like; a term, condition, or stipulation in a contract; a concise statement; as, articles of agreement.
Report
To return or present as the result of an examination or consideration of any matter officially referred.
The committee reported the bill with amendments, or reported a new bill, or reported the results of an inquiry.
Article
A literary composition, forming an independent portion of a magazine, newspaper, or cyclopedia.
Report
To take minutes of (a speech, the doings of a public body, etc.); to write down from the lips of a speaker.
Article
Subject; matter; concern; distinct.
A very great revolution that happened in this article of good breeding.
This last article will hardly be believed.
Report
(obsolete) To refer.
Article
A distinct part.
The articles which compose the blood.
Report
To return or repeat, as sound; to echo.
Article
A particular one of various things; as, an article of merchandise; salt is a necessary article.
They would fight not for articles of faith, but for articles of food.
Report
A piece of information describing, or an account of certain events given or presented to someone, with the most common adpositions being by (referring to creator of the report) and on (referring to the subject).
A report by the telecommunications ministry on the phone network revealed a severe capacity problem.
Article
Precise point of time; moment.
This fatal news coming to Hick's Hall upon the article of my Lord Russell's trial, was said to have had no little influence on the jury and all the bench to his prejudice.
Report
Reputation.
Article
One of the three words, a, an, the, used before nouns to limit or define their application. A (or an) is called the indefinite article, the the definite article.
Report
(firearms) The sharp, loud sound from a gun or explosion.
Article
One of the segments of an articulated appendage.
Report
An employee whose position in a corporate hierarchy is below that of a particular manager.
Article
To formulate in articles; to set forth in distinct particulars.
If all his errors and follies were articled against him, the man would seem vicious and miserable.
Report
To refer.
Baldwin, his son, . . . succeeded his father; so like unto him that we report the reader to the character of King Almeric, and will spare the repeating his description.
Article
To accuse or charge by an exhibition of articles.
He shall be articled against in the high court of admiralty.
Report
To bring back, as an answer; to announce in return; to relate, as what has been discovered by a person sent to examine, explore, or investigate; as, a messenger reports to his employer what he has seen or ascertained; the committee reported progress.
There is no man that may reporten all.
Article
To bind by articles of covenant or stipulation; as, to article an apprentice to a mechanic.
Report
To give an account of; to relate; to tell; to circulate publicly, as a story; as, in the common phrase, it is reported.
It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel.
Article
To agree by articles; to stipulate; to bargain; to covenant.
Then he articled with her that he should go away when he pleased.
Report
To give an official account or statement of; as, a treasurer reports the receipts and expenditures.
Article
Nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
Report
To return or repeat, as sound; to echo.
Article
One of a class of artifacts;
An article of clothing
Report
To return or present as the result of an examination or consideration of any matter officially referred; as, the committee reported the bill witth amendments, or reported a new bill, or reported the results of an inquiry.
Article
A separate section of a legal document (as a statute or contract or will)
Report
To make minutes of, as a speech, or the doings of a public body; to write down from the lips of a speaker.
Article
(grammar) a determiner that may indicate the specificity of reference of a noun phrase
Report
To write an account of for publication, as in a newspaper; as, to report a public celebration or a horse race.
Article
Bind by a contract; especially for a training period
Report
To make a statement of the conduct of, especially in an unfavorable sense; as, to report a servant to his employer.
Article
A piece of writing included in a publication.
I read an interesting article in the magazine about health.
Report
To make a report, or response, in respect of a matter inquired of, a duty enjoined, or information expected; as, the committee will report at twelve o'clock.
Article
A distinct part of a legal document.
The contract's Article 5 outlines the obligations of both parties.
Report
To furnish in writing an account of a speech, the proceedings at a meeting, the particulars of an occurrence, etc., for publication.
Article
To bind by terms of apprenticeship.
He was articled to a law firm before becoming a lawyer.
Report
To present one's self, as to a superior officer, or to one to whom service is due, and to be in readiness for orders or to do service; also, to give information, as of one's address, condition, etc.; as, the officer reported to the general for duty; to report weekly by letter.
Article
A particular item or object.
The museum featured an article from ancient Greece.
Report
That which is reported.
It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.
Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and . . . of good report among all the nation of the Jews.
Report
Sound; noise; as, the report of a pistol or cannon.
Report
Rapport; relation; connection; reference.
The corridors worse, having no report to the wings they join to.
Report
A written document describing the findings of some individual or group;
This accords with the recent study by Hill and Dale
Report
A short account of the news;
The report of his speech
The story was on the 11 o'clock news
The account of his speech that was given on the evening news made the governor furious
Report
The act of informing by verbal report;
He heard reports that they were causing trouble
By all accounts they were a happy couple
Report
A sharp explosive sound (especially the sound of a gun firing);
They heard a violent report followed by silence
Report
A written evaluation of a student's scholarship and deportment;
His father signed his report card
Report
An essay (especially one written as an assignment);
He got an A on his composition
Report
The general estimation that the public has for a person;
He acquired a reputation as an actor before he started writing
He was a person of bad report
Report
To give an account or representation of in words;
Discreet Italian police described it in a manner typically continental
Report
Announce as the result of an investigation, or announce something to the proper authorities;
Dozens of incidents of wife beatings are reported daily in this city
The team reported significant advances in their research
Report
Announce one's presence;
I report to work every day at 9 o'clock
Report
Make known to the authorities;
One student reported the other to the principal
Report
Be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism;
Snow reported on China in the 1950's
The cub reporter covered New York City
Report
Complain about; make a charge against;
I reported her to the superviser
Report
The result of an investigation or research.
The scientific report was published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Report
A student's record of academic performance.
His report card showed excellent grades this semester.
Common Curiosities
Can an article be subjective?
Yes, articles often include the writer's perspective or opinion, especially in editorials or opinion pieces.
Are reports based on facts?
Yes, reports are typically factual and present data and outcomes from research or analysis.
What is a report?
A report is a structured document detailing findings or information about a particular subject.
What is an article?
An article is a written work published in a print or online medium, ranging from news to opinion pieces.
Do articles have a standard structure?
Articles do not have as rigid a structure as reports and can vary greatly in format.
What types of reports are there?
There are business reports, scientific reports, book reports, and many others for various fields.
Can articles contain images or graphics?
Yes, articles often include photographs, illustrations, or graphics to complement the text.
How do you determine the target audience for an article?
The target audience is determined by the subject matter and where the article is published.
Who writes reports?
Reports are written by experts, researchers, or professionals in a specific field or industry.
Is a report considered a publication?
While reports can be published, they are often internal documents and not published in the same way articles are.
Can a report be written informally?
Reports are usually formal, but the level of formality can vary depending on the context and audience.
Are references required in a report?
Yes, reports typically include references or citations of sources used.
Can an article be entertaining?
Yes, many articles are written to entertain as well as to inform or persuade.
Are articles peer-reviewed?
Articles in academic journals are peer-reviewed, unlike those in popular magazines or newspapers.
Is original research required for writing a report?
Often, yes, especially for scientific or business reports, original research is a key component.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
