Write a mini-research report with headings

A RESEARCH REPORT explains what you learned about a topic. Unlike a story, it is organized into SECTIONS, and each section has its own bold HEADING. Headings act as signposts so readers can find what they need without reading every word — and they help YOU keep your facts in the right place while you write.

The Standard Headings

1. INTRODUCTION — names the topic and tells the reader why it matters. One short paragraph that hooks the reader.
2. BACKGROUND — gives the history or context. What does the reader need to know BEFORE the main facts make sense?
3. KEY FACTS — the heart of the report. List the main findings with supporting details. This section is usually the longest.
4. CONCLUSION — sums up what was learned. One short paragraph; no new facts here.
5. SOURCES — at the very end, list where the information came from (book titles, websites, interviews).

Topic-Specific Headings

• You can swap KEY FACTS for headings that fit your topic. An animal report might use Habitat, Diet, Predators, Life cycle.
• A country report might use Geography, People, Food, Festivals.
• A person report might use Early life, Big achievement, Why they matter today.
• Whatever you choose, the heading must HONESTLY describe the section underneath. Never label a section "Key Facts" if it is really one opinion.

How to Plan Before You Write

1. Pick a topic narrow enough to fit ONE page — "Emperor penguins" not "Birds of the world."
2. Write the headings DOWN THE SIDE of a page — Introduction, Background, Key Facts (or topic-specific), Conclusion, Sources.
3. Under each heading, jot 2 or 3 short notes. Do not write full sentences yet.
4. Once every heading has notes, you have an outline. Now turn each set of notes into a paragraph.

Writing Each Section

• Each section gets its OWN paragraph (or two short paragraphs for Key Facts).
• Start each section right under its heading. Skip a line between sections so the headings stand out.
• Keep facts in the section where they belong. Do not slip a habitat fact into the Diet section just because it is interesting.
• Use full sentences. Headings are short labels; the paragraphs underneath are full prose.

Citing Your Sources

• At the end, under the heading SOURCES, list every place you got information from.
• For a book: write the author and the title. ("Smith, J. — Penguins of Antarctica.")
• For a website: write the site name and the page title. ("National Geographic Kids — Emperor Penguins.")
• Cite EVERY source — even if you only used one fact from it. Skipping sources is a form of plagiarism.