differences between report and an essay

Essay vs Report: Similarities, Differences, and Proper Use

When it comes to academic writing, two terms that often get confused are essays and reports. While they may seem similar on the surface, there are some key differences between the two. In this article, we will explore the differences between essays and reports and help you understand which one is the proper word to use in different situations.

Let’s define what each term means. An essay is a piece of writing that presents an argument or point of view on a specific topic. It typically includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. A report, on the other hand, is a document that presents information in an organized manner, often with headings and subheadings. Reports can be analytical, descriptive, or persuasive.

So, which one is the proper word to use? The answer is that it depends on the type of writing you are doing. If you are presenting an argument or point of view, you should use the term “essay.” If you are presenting information in an organized manner, you should use the term “report.”

In the rest of this article, we will explore the differences between essays and reports in more detail. We will look at the structure, purpose, and language used in each type of writing. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of the differences between essays and reports and when to use each one.

Define Essay

An essay is a piece of writing that presents an argument or a viewpoint on a specific topic. It is a form of expression that allows the writer to convey their thoughts, opinions, and ideas to the reader. Essays can be written on a variety of subjects, including literature, history, philosophy, and science. They are typically shorter in length than reports and are often used to demonstrate a student’s understanding of a particular topic.

Define Report

A report is a document that provides information about a particular topic or issue. It is a structured and formal piece of writing that is used to communicate the results of research, investigations, or experiments. Reports can be written on a wide range of subjects, including business, science, and engineering. They are typically longer in length than essays and often include tables, graphs, and other visual aids to help convey information.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to academic writing, it is important to understand the difference between an essay and a report. While both require research and analysis, they have distinct differences in structure and purpose. One of the key factors in using these words correctly is knowing how to properly use them in a sentence.

How To Use “Essay” In A Sentence

An essay is a piece of writing that presents an argument and supports it with evidence. When using the word “essay” in a sentence, it is important to make sure that it is being used in the correct context. Here are some examples:

• She wrote a compelling essay on the importance of education.
• His essay on climate change was well-researched and persuasive.
• The professor assigned a five-page essay on the history of the Roman Empire.

As you can see, the word “essay” is typically used to describe a specific type of writing assignment that requires research and analysis. It is important to use the word in a way that accurately reflects its meaning and purpose.

How To Use “Report” In A Sentence

A report is a formal document that presents information in a structured format. Reports are often used to communicate the results of research or investigations. When using the word “report” in a sentence, it is important to make sure that it is being used in the correct context. Here are some examples:

• The company issued a report on its quarterly earnings.
• The student submitted a report on the effects of pollution on local wildlife.
• The committee presented a report on its findings to the board of directors.

As you can see, the word “report” is typically used to describe a formal document that presents information in a structured format. It is important to use the word in a way that accurately reflects its meaning and purpose.

More Examples Of Essay & Report Used In Sentences

As we continue to explore the differences between an essay and a report, it’s helpful to see how these terms are used in real-world contexts. Here are some examples of using “essay” and “report” in sentences:

Examples Of Using “Essay” In A Sentence

• She spent all night working on her essay for the scholarship application.
• The professor assigned a five-page essay on the effects of climate change.
• My favorite author just released a new essay collection.
• After reading her essay, I was impressed by her writing skills.
• The student’s essay was full of insightful analysis.
• He won first prize in the essay contest with his powerful and persuasive argument.
• She wrote a personal essay about her experience with mental illness.
• The essay question asked us to compare and contrast two different theories.
• I need to finish my essay before I can go out with my friends.
• He wrote a humorous essay about his disastrous first date.

Examples Of Using “Report” In A Sentence

• The investigative journalist filed a report on the corruption scandal.
• We need to compile a report on the progress of the project.
• The doctor’s report showed that the patient’s condition had improved.
• She presented a detailed report on the state of the local economy.
• The police officer filed a report on the car accident.
• The committee will review the report before making a decision.
• The environmental group released a report on the impact of plastic pollution.
• The annual report highlighted the company’s achievements and challenges.
• He wrote a report summarizing the key findings of his research.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to academic writing, using the terms essay and report interchangeably is a common mistake that many students make. However, it is important to understand that these two types of writing are distinct and require different approaches. In this section, we will highlight some of the most common mistakes people make when using essay and report interchangeably and provide tips on how to avoid them in the future.

Mistake #1: Failing To Understand The Purpose Of Each Type Of Writing

One of the biggest mistakes people make when using essay and report interchangeably is failing to understand the purpose of each type of writing. While both types of writing require research and analysis, the purpose of an essay is to present an argument or point of view, while the purpose of a report is to present information.

For example, if you were asked to write about the causes of climate change, an essay would require you to take a position and argue your point of view, while a report would require you to present factual information about the causes of climate change without taking a position.

To avoid this mistake, it is important to carefully read the instructions for each assignment and identify the purpose of the writing. If you are unsure, ask your instructor for clarification.

Mistake #2: Using The Wrong Structure

Another common mistake people make when using essay and report interchangeably is using the wrong structure. Essays typically follow a five-paragraph structure, with an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Reports, on the other hand, can have various structures depending on the purpose and audience.

For example, a business report may have a cover page, table of contents, executive summary, introduction, methodology, results, conclusion, and recommendations. Using the wrong structure can result in a poorly organized and confusing piece of writing.

To avoid this mistake, it is important to carefully read the instructions for each assignment and identify the required structure. If you are unsure, ask your instructor for clarification.

Mistake #3: Ignoring Formatting Requirements

Formatting is another area where people often make mistakes when using essay and report interchangeably. Essays and reports have different formatting requirements, including font size, line spacing, and citation style.

For example, essays typically use MLA or APA citation style, while reports may use APA or Chicago citation style. Ignoring formatting requirements can result in a lower grade or even plagiarism accusations.

To avoid this mistake, it is important to carefully read the instructions for each assignment and identify the required formatting requirements. If you are unsure, ask your instructor for clarification.

By understanding the purpose of each type of writing, using the correct structure, and following formatting requirements, you can avoid common mistakes when using essay and report interchangeably. Always remember to carefully read the instructions for each assignment and ask your instructor for clarification if you are unsure about any aspect of the writing.

Context Matters

When it comes to writing, the choice between an essay and a report can depend heavily on the context in which they are used. While both forms of writing share similarities, such as being used to convey information and make an argument, they have distinct differences that make them better suited for certain situations.

Examples Of Different Contexts

One example of a context in which an essay might be preferred is in a literature or humanities class. Essays are often used to analyze and interpret literary works or other cultural artifacts. In this context, the writer is expected to provide a critical analysis of the subject matter and offer their own interpretation of its meaning.

On the other hand, a report might be more appropriate in a business or scientific setting. Reports are often used to present research findings or to provide information to a specific audience. In this context, the writer is expected to provide clear and concise information that is easy to understand and that can be used to make informed decisions.

Another example of a context in which the choice between an essay and a report might change is in an academic setting. In some cases, professors might specify which form of writing they prefer for a particular assignment. For example, a professor might ask for a report on a specific topic in a science class, while in a history class, the same professor might ask for an essay that analyzes a particular event or period in history.

Ultimately, the choice between an essay and a report depends on the context in which they are used. While both forms of writing share similarities, they have distinct differences that make them better suited for certain situations. By understanding these differences and considering the context in which they are used, writers can choose the appropriate form of writing to effectively convey their message and achieve their goals.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using essays and reports may seem clear-cut, there are exceptions where these rules may not apply. Here are some examples:

1. Scientific Writing

In scientific writing, the term “report” is often used to describe a specific type of document that is distinct from an essay. Scientific reports typically follow a structured format and include sections such as an abstract, introduction, methods, results, and conclusion. In this case, using the term “essay” to describe this type of document would be incorrect.

2. Creative Writing

When it comes to creative writing, the rules for using essays and reports may not be as clear-cut. While essays are typically used for non-fiction writing, such as personal essays or literary criticism, some writers may use the term “essay” to describe a work of fiction that is structured in a similar way. Similarly, a writer may use the term “report” to describe a work of non-fiction that is more narrative in style.

3. Academic Disciplines

The rules for using essays and reports may also vary depending on the academic discipline. For example, in some fields, such as history or political science, the term “report” may be used to describe a research paper that includes a detailed analysis of primary sources. In other fields, such as psychology or sociology, the term “essay” may be used to describe a more reflective or personal piece of writing.

4. Context And Audience

Finally, the rules for using essays and reports may also depend on the context and audience for the document. For example, in a business setting, the term “report” may be used to describe a formal document that includes data and analysis, while the term “essay” may be used to describe a more informal piece of writing that is meant to persuade or inform.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of essay and report is through practice exercises. Here are some examples:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (essay or report) to fill in the blank:

• She wrote a/an ___________ on the causes of climate change.
• He handed in a/an ___________ on the history of the Roman Empire.
• The student submitted a/an ___________ on the effects of social media on mental health.
• The journalist wrote a/an ___________ on the latest political scandal.

Answer Key:

Exercise 2: Identify The Purpose

Read the following sentences and identify whether the purpose is to inform or to persuade:

• The purpose of this ___________ is to argue that the death penalty should be abolished.
• This ___________ provides an overview of the causes and effects of air pollution.
• The ___________ analyzes the financial performance of the company over the past year.
• In this ___________, the author explores the theme of love in Shakespeare’s sonnets.
• essay (persuade)
• report (inform)
• essay (inform)

By practicing with exercises like these, you can improve your ability to distinguish between essays and reports and use them effectively in your own writing.

After exploring the differences between essays and reports, it is clear that these two forms of writing serve different purposes and require different approaches. Essays are typically more subjective and allow for more creativity, while reports are more objective and require a focus on facts and data.

It is important for writers to understand the differences between these two forms of writing in order to effectively communicate their message to their intended audience. Whether it be for academic or professional purposes, knowing when to write an essay or a report can make a significant impact on the success of the writing.

Key Takeaways

• Essays and reports serve different purposes and require different approaches.
• Essays are subjective and allow for creativity, while reports are objective and focus on facts and data.
• Understanding the differences between these two forms of writing is important for effective communication.

By utilizing proper grammar and language use, writers can elevate their writing and effectively communicate their message to their intended audience. Continual learning and improvement in these areas can lead to greater success in both academic and professional settings.

Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.

• Key Differences

Know the Differences & Comparisons

Difference Between Essay and Report

On the other hand, an essay can be understood as a piece of writing, on a specific topic or subject, which expresses the author’s own ideas and knowledge about the subject.

The basic difference between essay and report is that while an essay is argumentative and idea-based, reports are informative and fact-based. Now, let us move further to understand some more points of differences.

Content: Essay Vs Report

Comparison chart.

Definition of Essay

An essay can be understood as a comprehensive literary composition, written in a narrative style and presents a particular topic, supports an argument and highlights the writer’s view or ideology. An essay is used to check a person’s outlook and understanding on specific matters and also his/her ability to describe and argue in a way which convinces the reader or informs him/her about a specific topic.

One can make use of learned materials, along with his/her own research, to write an essay effectively. It includes both narrative and subjective thoughts. Further, an essay supports a single idea at a time, for which several components need to be covered in it so as to appear logical and chronological.

It can be a learned argument, observation of day to day life, literary criticism, political manifestos, recollections, and reflections of the writer. It starts with a question and attempts to answer or give suggestions to the problem, on the basis of the existing theories or the writer’s personal opinion and assessment.

While writing an essay, it must be kept in mind that the approach used by the writer should be positive, even if the topic of argument is negative.

Definition of Report

The report implies a well structured factual document which is created and presented after conducting an independent enquiry, research or investigation on a specific subject. It serves as a basis for problem-solving and decision making.

Reports are prepared for a definite purpose and contain relevant information in a proper format, for a particular audience. It is used to identify, observe and analyse the issues, events, findings, that occurred practically, i.e. in real life.

A report is designed with the aim of informing the reader about the event, situation or issue, in a very simple and objective manner, while enabling them to get the desired information quickly and easily. It provides recommendations for future actions. Information collected from research, or from carrying out a project work is presented in a clear and concise manner, under a set of headings and subheadings, that helps the reader to get the desired information quickly and easily.

Characteristics of an Ideal Report

• It must be clear and concise.
• It is written in easy language which the readers can understand easily.
• It has to be appropriate and accurate.
• It should be well drafted and organised, with specific sections, headings and sub-headings.

A report summary can be provided orally, however detailed reports are usually in the form of written documents. It contains – Title Page, Acknowledgement, Authorization Letter, Table of Contents, Executive Summary, Introduction, Discussion, Results, Conclusion, Recommendations and References.

Moreover, Cover letter, Copyright notice, Bibliography, Glossary and Appendices may also form part of a report.

Key Differences Between Essay and Report

The difference Between report and essay is discussed here in detail:

• An essay is a brief literary composition, which is used to describe, present, argue, and analyse the idea or topic. Conversely, a report is a formal and concise document consisting of findings from the practical research. It aims at investigating and exploring the problem under study.
• An essay is written on the basis of subjective analysis of theories and past research, by other people and own ideas, on the concerned subject. As against, a report is objective and factual, which is based on past research, as well as present data and findings.
• An essay talks about general facts and events along with the writer’s personal ideas and views, on the topic in a non-fictional manner. On the contrary, a report contains information which the reader can use to identify the facts or support in decision making or solving issues if any.
• When it comes to sections, a report usually contains different sections, with catchy headings which may attract the attention of the audience. As against, an essay does not have any section, its flow is continuous. However, it is divided into cohesive paragraphs.
• A report uses tables, charts, graphs, diagrams, statistics and many more for a clear and better presentation of the information. But, in the case of essays, they are not used.
• The conclusion in an essay is based on the writer’s personal opinion and views on the topic itself which must be optimistic, and it does not provide any recommendations for future actions. On the other hand, a report gives an independent conclusion, but it may contain the opinion of the experts or previous researchers and recommendations are included, about how the research can be improved and extended.

In a nutshell, Essays are descriptive, subjective and evaluative, whereas, a report is descriptive, objective and analytical. Essays are mainly used in an academic context, whereas reports are preferred in the field of research.

The report is used to present the researched information in a written format, to the audience. Conversely, essays are used to identify what the writer knows about the topic and how well the writer understand the question.

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Anna H. Smith says

November 26, 2020 at 3:22 pm

Thank you for explaining this so eloquently. Excellent post, I will keep this handy and refer to it often from now on, the information is so clear and so insightful, thanks for giving a clear difference. It’s a very educative article.!

Presley Dube says

November 20, 2021 at 3:43 pm

very useful to me thank you.

Leonard says

August 8, 2022 at 2:52 pm

Thanks for sharing such nice information about this topic.

Ignatius Phiri says

March 20, 2023 at 10:39 pm

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Essay vs Report: What Are the Key Differences?

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Reports and essays serve as fundamental forms of scholarly communication, each with its distinct purpose, structure, and style. While both convey information and analysis, they vary in their objectives, audience, and presentation. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the different nuances between reports and essays, unpacking their key characteristics and offering insights into when and how to utilise each form effectively.

Reports: Capturing Data and Analysis

Reports are structured documents designed to convey factual information, findings, and analysis on a specific topic or issue. They are commonly used in academic, professional, and scientific contexts to present research outcomes, project evaluations, or business insights. Key features of reports include:

• Objective Presentation : Reports aim to provide an objective overview of data, observations, and analysis without personal interpretation or opinion.
• Structured Format : Reports typically follow a structured format, including sections such as introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusions.
• Visual Aids : Reports often incorporate tables, charts, graphs, and other visual aids to enhance the presentation of data and facilitate understanding.
• Audience Focus : Reports are usually intended for a specific audience, such as academic peers, business stakeholders, or policymakers, who require concise and actionable information.

Essays: Exploring Ideas and Arguments

Essays, on the other hand, are scholarly compositions that explore and analyse ideas, arguments, and theories within a particular subject area. They provide opportunities for critical thinking, reflection, and interpretation of course material or research findings. Key features of essays include:

• Thesis-driven Structure : Essays typically present a central thesis or argument, supported by evidence, analysis, and interpretation.
• Logical Progression : Essays follow a logical progression of ideas, with clear transitions between paragraphs and sections to guide the reader through the argument.
• Engagement with Sources : Essays engage with a range of scholarly sources, including academic articles, books, and primary documents, to support the argument and provide context.
• Critical Analysis : Essays encourage critical analysis and evaluation of ideas, theories, and evidence, often requiring students to synthesise information and draw their conclusions.

Key Differences: Report vs Essay

While both reports and essays involve research, analysis, and communication of ideas, there are key differences in their purpose, structure, and approach:

Purpose : Reports aim to present factual information and analysis to inform decision-making, while essays explore ideas, theories, and arguments to provoke thought and discussion.

Structure : Reports follow a structured format with clear sections, while essays offer more flexibility in organisation and presentation.

Language and Style : Reports use formal, concise language and avoid personal opinions, while essays may incorporate personal voice, reflections, and interpretations.

Audience : Reports are often written for a specific audience, such as stakeholders or decision-makers, while essays are typically written for academic audiences or peers.

Choosing the Right Format

The choice between a report and an essay depends on the nature of the assignment, the requirements of the task, and the expectations of the audience. Consider the following factors when determining which format to use:

Purpose : Clarify the purpose of the document—is it to present factual information (report) or to explore and analyse ideas (essay)?

Audience : Consider the intended audience and their expectations regarding format, style, and depth of analysis.

Scope and Depth : Assess the scope and depth of the topic—are you presenting data and findings (report) or engaging in critical analysis and interpretation (essay)?

Instructions : Review the assignment instructions carefully to determine whether a specific format is required and to understand the evaluation criteria.

Leveraging the Power of Structure and Style

Reports and essays are valuable tools for scholarly communication, each offering unique opportunities for knowledge dissemination and intellectual exploration. By understanding the differences between reports and essays and knowing when to employ each format, students and researchers can effectively convey information, analyse ideas, and engage with academic discourse. Whether crafting a data-driven report or crafting a compelling essay, mastering the nuances of structure and style is essential for academic success.

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What is the Difference Between Essays and Reports?

Published by Alaxendra Bets at August 19th, 2021 , Revised On August 23, 2023

What is the difference between essays and reports? Report writing is a specialised skill that your academic tutor would like you to develop.

Whether you are writing a report in university or business, report writing skills are equally important to get your message across to the readers effectively.

Generally, your academic tutor decides what form of writing you must undertake and will provide the layout requirements in the assignment brief.

However, as you move towards university-level study, you will have the freedom of choice to decide what form of writing you must undertake to address the problem question .

This means that you will need a critical evaluation of what form of writing will be the most appropriate for you, considering a given academic assignment’s requirements.

Whether you are a student or a professional, it is important to understand the key differences between an  essay and a report to work out why you should prefer one form of writing over the other.

This article lists the most notable differences between a report and an essay, so whenever you are unsure about which form of writing is the most suitable, you will know exactly what decision is right or wrong.

Difference Between Essays and Reports – Purpose

Purpose of a report.

Typically you will be  asked to write a report  if you must present an  analysis of practical research results. All reports start with the topic background, research aim, and objectives to provide details of what your work will examine.

You may also include a  hypothesis  in your report if you are testing a proposition with your research. Depending on your topic’s nature and the report writing guidelines laid out by your tutor, you may also have to include a separate section for future recommendations in your report.

Purpose of an Essay

On the other hand, Essays find answers to a question using the researcher’s own critical evaluation of the existing theories. An essay does not directly include any practical research because it only uses the existing literature material.

Difference Between Essays and Reports – Content

The report starts with introducing the topic and lists the aim and objectives your practical research will address.

It quickly moves to report chronological actions such as gathering data and presenting findings from primary research activities and laboratory experiments before the writer finally provides an assessment of the results in the conclusion  and recommendations for future sections.

The  content of an essay  depends on the  essay question  you need to answer. Whether your essay must be evaluative,  argumentative ,  narrative , discursive, or descriptive  will be determined by the nature of your essay question.

However, in general, all essays involve a synthesis of knowledge obtained from existing literature on the given question and the writer’s personal arguments and opinions based on the evidence collected during research.

Whether you have been asked to write an essay or a report, ResearchProspect writers can help you achieve the highest academic grade. We have a large team of academic writers who can meet every bit of your requirements regardless of your academic level and the academic subject.

Difference Between Essays and Reports – Formatting

A report and an essay format are similar as both include an  introduction ,  main body , and  conclusion sections. Reports include methodology and analysis in the main body and have a fixed structure.

It is recommended to check your school’s formatting guidelines if you are unsure how to format your report. Further, you can get our professional report writing service that will help you achieve your desired grades.

If you are writing an essay, the essay question’s critical evaluation will determine the  structure you must follow in your essay.

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Difference Between Essays and Reports in a Table

Despite describing these differences, it may not be easy to distinguish between an essay and a report. For example , in some academic disciplines, essays are structured like reports, with headings separating the different parts of an essay. The best practice regarding the style and format suitable to your academic discipline would be to consult your academic tutor.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you differentiate between an essay or a report.

An essay is a concise piece of writing that presents an argument, opinion, or analysis with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. A report is a structured document that conveys information, often including data, findings, and recommendations, typically with headings, sections, and sometimes visual aids.

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10 Difference between Essay and Report (With Table)

What is the main difference between essay and report? An essay pertains to a literary technique wherein nearly all aspects of a subject are thoroughly explored or articulated. A report serve as the documentation and comprehensive analysis of the discoveries and suggestions derived from practical research.

In the realm of academic writing, students frequently come across two prevalent types of assignments: essays and reports. While these assignments share certain resemblances, they also possess marked distinctions.

This piece aims to delve into the contrasting characteristics of essays and reports, with a particular emphasis on their objectives, structures, and writing approaches.

Difference between Essay and Report with Table

What Is Essay?

An essay is a written composition that presents a focused and organized discussion or exploration of a particular topic, idea, or argument. Essays are a common form of academic, literary, and creative writing and are characterized by several key features:

Thesis Statement : An essay typically begins with a clear and concise thesis statement that outlines the main argument or purpose of the essay.

Structure : Essays follow a specific structure, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. This structure allows for the logical presentation of ideas and arguments.

Supporting Evidence : Arguments and claims in an essay are supported by evidence, which may include examples, data, quotes, or references to authoritative sources.

Coherence : Essays are expected to be coherent, with ideas flowing logically from one point to the next. Transitions and topic sentences help maintain this coherence.

Analysis : Essays often involve critical thinking and analysis, where the writer evaluates, interprets, or critiques the topic or subject matter.

Clarity and Conciseness : Effective essays are clear, concise, and free from unnecessary jargon or verbosity. They communicate ideas effectively to the intended audience.

Variety of Types : Essays come in various forms, such as argumentative, persuasive, expository, narrative, and descriptive, each with its own unique characteristics and objectives.

What Is Report?

A report is a formal and structured document that presents information, data, findings, or recommendations on a specific topic, issue, or problem. Reports are typically written for a targeted audience, such as business professionals, government officials, researchers, or stakeholders, and they serve various purposes:

Information Dissemination : Reports convey objective and factual information, often gathered through research, investigation, or analysis.

Problem-Solving : Some reports are designed to address specific problems or challenges, offering solutions or recommendations.

Decision-Making : Reports provide the necessary data and analysis to support informed decision-making processes.

Documentation : They serve as records of events, actions, or research, preserving information for future reference.

Accountability : Reports may be used to document the performance or progress of projects, organizations, or individuals, ensuring accountability.

Main Difference between Essay and Report

• An essay serves as a concise literary composition for presenting and analyzing ideas, while a report is a formal document that communicates research findings.
• Essays blend subjective analysis with personal ideas, while reports maintain objectivity by relying on past research and current data.
• Essays incorporate general facts and the writer’s opinions in a non-fictional manner. Conversely, reports offer information that aids in identifying facts or supports decision-making and problem-solving.
• Reports are structured with sections featuring engaging headings, while essays follow a continuous flow but are divided into coherent paragraphs.
• Reports use visuals like tables, charts, graphs, and statistics for clarity, whereas essays typically do not include such elements.
• Essay conclusions reflect the writer’s personal opinions and tend to be optimistic, lacking recommendations for future actions. Reports provide impartial conclusions, potentially including expert opinions and recommendations for further research and improvement.

Similarities between Essay and Report

• Both are written documents.
• They require clear and coherent writing.
• Proper grammar, punctuation, and style are essential in both.
• Both may require citations and references.
• They serve as means of conveying information or ideas.
• Both should have a well-organized structure.
• An introduction and conclusion are common elements in both.

In conclusion, while essays and reports are both written forms of communication, they serve distinct purposes and exhibit notable differences in their characteristics and structures.

Essays are primarily vehicles for presenting, analyzing, and discussing ideas or viewpoints, often incorporating subjective analysis and personal opinions.

In contrast, reports are formal documents intended to convey objective information, research findings, or recommendations, maintaining objectivity and utilizing data and past research.

The structural variances are evident, with essays featuring a continuous flow of text divided into paragraphs, while reports are organized into sections with informative headings for clarity. Additionally, reports often employ visual aids like charts and tables, enhancing data presentation.

Finally, their conclusions differ significantly, as essays express personal opinions and optimism, while reports provide impartial conclusions with recommendations for further research or action.

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Reports and essays: key differences

Know what to expect

Explore the main differences between reports and essays and how to write for your assignments

You'll complete assignments with different requirements throughout your degree, so it's important to understand what you need to do for each of them. Here we explore the key differences between reports and essays. 

This page describes general features of academic reports and essays. Depending on your subject you may use all of these features, a selection of them, or you may have additional requirements. 

There is no single right way to write a report or essay, but they are different assignments. At a glance: 

• Reports depend heavily on your subject and the type of report.
• Essays usually have specific content and a planned structure with a focus on sense and flow. You subject might need different types of information in your introduction –  some disciplines include a short background and context here, while others begin their discussion, discuss their resources or briefly signpost the topic.

Differences between reports and essays

This table compares reports and essays and provides an outline of the standard structure for each. Your assignment will also depend on your discipline, the purpose of your work, and your audience – so you should check what you need to do in your course and module handbooks, instructions from your lecturer, and your subject conventions.

Table adapted from Cottrell, 2003, p. 209.

The structure of reports

Most reports use an IMRaD structure: Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion.

Below are some common sections that also appear in reports. Some sections include alternative headings.

1. Table of contents

Your contents shows the number of each report section, its title, page number and any sub-sections. Sub-section numbers and details start under the section title, not the margin or the number.

2. Abstract or Executive summary

This brief summary of the report is usually the last thing you write.

3. Introduction

Your introduction describes the purpose of the report, explains why it necessary or useful, and sets out its precise aims and objectives.

4. Literature review

This describes current research and thinking about the problem or research question, and is often incorporated into the introduction.

5. Methods or Methodology

This describes and justifies the methods or processes used to collect your data.

6. Results or Findings

This section presents the results (or processed data) from the research and may consist of mainly tables, charts and or diagrams.

7. Discussion, or Analysis, or Interpretation

This section analyses the results and evaluates the research carried out.

8. Conclusion

The conclusion summarises the report and usually revisits the aims and objectives.

9. Recommendations

In this section the writer uses the results and conclusions from the report to make practical suggestions about a problem or issue. This may not be required.

10. Appendices

You can include raw data or materials that your report refers to in the appendix, if you need to. The data is often presented as charts, diagrams and tables. Each item should be numbered : for example, write Table 1 and its title; Table 2 and its title, and so on as needed.

Structure of essays

Introduction.

Your essay introduction contextualises and gives background information about the topic or questions being discussed, and sets out what the essay is going to cover.

Your essay body is divided into paragraphs. These paragraphs help make a continuous, flowing text.

The conclusion summarises the main points made in the essay. Avoid introducing new information in your conclusion.

Bibliography or Reference list

This is a list of the resources you've used in your essay. This is usually presented alphabetically by authors’ surname.

Reference for the Table of Distinctions above: 

Cottrell, S. (2003).  The Study Skills Handbook  (2nd ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Download our report and essay differences revision sheet

Download this page as a PDF for your report and essay revision notes.

Key features of academic reports

Basic essay structure

Writing clear sentences

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Students are sometimes unclear about different genres of assessment tasks.

Students often ask the question "What is the difference between a report and an essay?" This short video explains what a report is in academic writing, how it is used in different situations, and the structure of a report including executive summary, introduction, findings and conclusion.

What is a report?

A report is a piece of writing that tells you about some experience, event, or situation. This could include just doing research on some topic, a practical experiment, some issue that has arisen in a company/organisation, or a system, or even a piece of equipment, maybe.

Reports are often problem-based, but not always. It describes what you have found out, and it goes deeper - it explains and analyses what you have found out. Reports are very structured and there is an expected format. They always have sections and headings.

Have a look at this report outline:

“The aim of this report was to investigate Unilab staff attitudes to the use of mobile phones in staff and team meetings. A staff survey and policies on mobile phone use from a number of similar companies were analysed. There was significant support for a clear company policy on mobile phone use, including their banning in certain situations. The results of this research reflected the findings from similar studies. The report concluded that personal mobile phones should not be turned on during all staff meeting times.”

Most reports have executive summaries. In some disciplines, we call it an “abstract”. They are not the same as the introduction. An executive summary summarises the whole report. That means that there will be a sentence or two representing each section of the report. You always write it after you have completed the full report. Have a look at how the writer summarises each main section in one sentence (refer to executive summary above). As you can see, it’s got a very definite structure drawn from the larger report. It is very different to the introduction which just talks about the broad context, the purpose of the report, and what is going to be covered in the following sections. It gives the reader an idea of what is ahead – it does not give the overview like the executive summary.

The other important sections are the Findings and Discussion. This is where you would describe and then analyse your findings. Your findings will be reporting what you have discovered during your research, or your experiment, or an observation you have made. In the discussion section, you must delve deeper: you have to analyse and make sense of these findings and not just state what they are.

Finally, in the conclusion, you summarise your findings or use your findings or to come out with a more unified understanding or outcome. In some disciplines like business, you might be asked to give solutions or recommendations to overcome a problem that you have noticed. Recommendations might have their own section or be included in the conclusion, too.

For more information about reports, try the tutorials. Thanks for watching!

The table below shows the main differences between reports and essays.

• Provides objective information: Can be constructed collaboratively.
• Highly structured into sections identified using headings.
• Sections can be read in isolation of the most of the text: the reader can dip in and out.
• Objective report and analysis of facts.
• Grounded in practice but often links to theory.
• For a specific audience.
• Includes tables, graphs and diagrams.
• Dot points used for conciseness.
• Presents a particular writer's claim or argument.
• Structured by paragraphing with key points identified in topic sentences.
• Paragraphs are read in the context of the whole: the reader starts at the beginning and reads the entire text.
• Subjective argument or interpretation.
• Grounded in theory but sometimes linked to practice.
• For a generalised audience.
• Meaning is conveyed through text.
• Meaning constructed through sentences.
• Purpose of reports and sources to use
• Overall structure of a report
• Sample report structures

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The purpose of an essay

When we write an essay we are often looking at topics in depth. The essay may voice an opinion, or explain something in detail. The essay may include arguments or counter arguments or offer solutions to problems.Tthere are many different ways to approach writing an essay.  The purpose of an essay is to provide a detailed insight in to an aspect of a topic.

The purpose of a report

A report often discusses the results of a practical investigation. For example a report could discuss an experiment and its results or discuss  research that has been undertaken.  The purpose of a report is to help people to find the information they need quickly . For example they may need to see the results of an experiment but not want to know how it was carried out.

The common structure of an essay

An essay has the following structure: introduction,  main body of the essay and conclusion. Each part of the essay is written in paragraphs. It is not common practice to use headings within an essay. The paragraphs within the essay should link together clearly as the reader is going to be reading every section. This can be done by trying to link each paragraph to the other.

The common structure of a report

Reports often include the following features:

A list of contents -  this shows your reader where  they can find the exact information they are looking for.

An abstract  -  an abstract is a brief summary of the report journal article or research. It usually outlines its purpose, methodology and findings ( results)

An introduction - h ere you say what you are going to be discussing in the report and why the report is important .

A literature review -  this shows what you have read before completing your report.

Methodology -  this explains what you did and how you did it

The results  - here you present your findings

Discussion - i n this section you discuss your results.

Conclusions -  here you say what the report has shown and what you think could be learnt from the report.  

Recommendations -  often a report will include your recommendations - what you think should be done next having considered the results.

The main differences between a report and an essay

Reports are divided into many sections  whereas essays have three main sections divided into paragraphs.

Reports include an abstract,  essays do not.

Reports can use bullet points,  essays do not.

Reports can use subheadings  for each of the sections, it is rare for essays to have subheadings.

Reports often include graphs and tables , essays do not.

Similarities between report writing and essay writing

Both use a formal style-  this means that we don't use shortened words, we remember we are writing for an academic audience, we don't use slang, and we write in sentences,  using a formal style.

Both avoid sounding personal -  in academic writing it is important to  sound objective . This means that you don't try to sway your reader with your own opinions and viewpoints but you put your points across using proof and evidence. With this in mind, in reports and essay writing personal pronouns (Example: I) should be avoided.

Both need to be clear-  whatever you are writing it is important that you make your writing clear. In both reports and essays an introduction will be included to show the purpose of the piece of work, and a conclusion to sum up the key points. The main body of both texts should be written in a logical well ordered way.

• Last Updated: Apr 25, 2024 1:19 PM
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Home » Language » Difference Between Essay and Report

Difference Between Essay and Report

Main difference – essay vs report.

Essay and report writing is an area that confuses many people .  Despite having some similarities, they both are written in different styles. Both Essays and Reports must be written in a formal academic style while carefully checking grammar, spelling, and presentations. There are some common features in essay and report writing as both start with an introduction, body with discussions and analysis, and finally conclusions that demonstrate writer’s analytical thinking ability. However, there are some significant differences between Essays and Reports, and writers should be well aware of these differences before starting to write. The main difference between these two types of writings is their purpose ; an essay presents writer’s personal ideas and opinions about a certain topic while a report provides unbiased information about a certain issue.

What is an Essay

Essay is a piece of writing that describes, analyzes and evaluates a certain topic or an issue . An essay generally contains a combination of facts, statistics and writer’s personal view and opinions. An  essay can be categorized into various types, depending on the nature of the title and the style of the author. Descriptive, Narrative, Argumentative, Persuasive, and Expository are some of these types of Essays. Though there is no strict format for essay writing, an essay generally includes an introduction, body, and conclusion. Essays are mostly used in the field of Education and are usually about academic subjects.

What are the Different Types of Essays

How to write an essay, what is a report.

A report is a systematic, well-organised document that defines and analyses a certain issue or a problem . The primary aim of a report is to provide information. A report is divided into several sections, headings, and sub-headings. A report is divided into sections in this manner so that anyone can scan the document and find quickly, the specific information he/she needs. Reports are used in different fields, and various types of reports written for different purposes can be found in our day to day life. Reports are generally written for practical purposes. Academic reports, Business reports, Laboratory reports are examples of such reports. Another significant feature that can be observed in a report is that the writer indicates recommendations,  solutions to the issue at the end of the report. Graphs, tables, sentences in bullet points can also be used in report writing.

Let us now look at the difference between essay and report separately. One of the main difference between essay and report is the purpose. An essay is written to present writer’s personal ideas and opinions while a report is written to provide information about a certain issue. Another significant difference between essay and report is the format. A report is divided into sections, headings, and sub-headings, but an essay is never divided into sections and headings; it has interconnecting paragraphs. The conclusion of a report is unbiased and recommendations are provided at the end while the conclusion of an essay depends heavily on the opinion of the author. A report contains graphs and tables while an essay rarely contains graphs and tables. An appendix can be attached to the report for further reference. One of the most efficient features of a report, is that  the information can be found quickly by scanning the headings and sections but, in an essay, it is difficult to find a specific information without reading the whole essay.

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Differences between reports and essays

A report is a piece of informative writing that describes a set of actions and analyses any results in response to a specific brief. A quick definition might be: “This is what I did and this is what it means.”

You may also have assignments which are not called reports but which are still pieces of informative writing; for instance, some dissertations and project write-ups fall into this category.

A good way to understand the key features of reports is to see how they differ from essays as a type of academic writing.

Glasgow School  for Business and Society

The Glasgow School for Business and Society integrates the areas of business, law and social sciences to ensure that they are well placed to meet the needs of business and society. The School has an international outlook and is committed to developing partnerships across the world.

How does an essay differ from a report?

Essays and reports differ in terms of  layout and focus

Essays traditionally, don’t have headings; instead writers develop and sustain an extended argument throughout the text, moving from logically connected paragraphs to create a text that makes sense to the reader. Nowadays it is fairly common for students to use headings and sub-headings in essays if it makes sense to do so. However, your lecturer may have a layout preference for essays without headings, so if you're not sure check with your lecturer or module handbook.

Reports are divided into sections with headings and sub-headings so that the reader can find specific information easily. Business reports often present information visually using graphs, tables and diagrams. Your module handbook will often give you a structure to follow.

An essay tends to focus on concepts, issues and/or theory. The focus of a report is more concrete: the report looks at an issue in a real-world context. Essays, especially business essays, often use real-world examples to illustrate a concept or theory but a conceptual, or abstract, idea is the focus. Business reports often focus on a case study organisation and draw on relevant literature to understand the company.

However essays and reports are similar in many ways. They both:

• Require  critical reading of relevant literature
• Integrate ideas from the  literature into the text
• Demonstrate  critical analysis
• Have a clear structure, written in paragraphs
• Are written in an  academic style
• Cite and reference sources using  Harvard

Difference Between Essay and Report

Essays and reports are both common types of written assignments that students are required to complete in school. However, there are some key differences between the two that you should be aware of.

Here is a comparison table that summarizes the main differences between essays and reports:

Essays are typically shorter than reports and are more focused on the author’s perspective and argument. Reports, on the other hand, are longer and are more focused on presenting information objectively.

Table of Contents

What is Essay?

An essay is a piece of writing that presents the author’s argument or point of view on a particular topic. It is typically longer than a paragraph, but shorter than a full-length book. Essays are often written in a formal, academic style and may be structured with an introduction, body, and conclusion.

In an essay, the author’s own perspective and opinion are important and are often the main focus of the piece. The purpose of an essay is to express an opinion, persuade the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint, or argue a point. Essays may be written on a wide range of topics and may take on various forms, such as narrative, descriptive, expository, or persuasive.

What is Report?

A report is a written document that presents information about a particular subject. Reports are often longer than essays and are more focused on presenting information objectively. They are typically written in a formal, academic style and may be structured with an introduction, body, and conclusion.

The purpose of a report is to present information, explain a particular subject, or describe something in detail. Reports may be written on a wide range of topics and may take on various forms, such as investigative, technical, or business reports.

Reports may include information from research, experiments, or other sources, and may be accompanied by charts, tables, and other visual aids to help illustrate the information being presented.

Main Key Difference Between Essay and Report

Here are some main differences between essays and reports:

• Essays are pieces of writing that present the author’s own argument or point of view on a particular topic.
• Reports are pieces of writing that present information about a particular subject.
• Both essays and reports typically have an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Essays are typically written in a personal, subjective tone and may express the author’s opinion or perspective on a topic.
• Reports are typically written in an impersonal, objective tone and are focused on presenting information rather than expressing personal opinions.
• Essays can vary in length, but are generally shorter than reports.
• Reports are typically longer than essays.
• The purpose of an essay is to express an opinion, persuade the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint, or argue a point.
• The purpose of a report is to present information, explain a particular subject, or describe something in detail.
• Both essays and reports are typically written in a formal, academic style.

Here are a few ideas for writing a unique conclusion for a blog post:

• Recap the main points of the post and emphasize the key takeaways for the reader.
• Ask a thought-provoking question that encourages the reader to reflect on the topic and engage with the content in a deeper way.
• Share a personal story or anecdote that relates to the topic of the post and adds a personal touch to the conclusion.
• Offer a call to action, such as inviting readers to leave a comment or share their own experiences related to the topic.
• Offer additional resources or further reading suggestions for readers who want to learn more about the topic.
• End with a quote or a piece of advice that sums up the post and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Sajius Islam is a creative writer who enjoys Blog & Content Writing. He received his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree from Guwahati University, Guwahati. He loves spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and exploring new cultures.

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Essay vs. Report: What's the Difference?

Key Differences

Comparison chart, tone and style, inclusion of opinion, essay and report definitions, what is the primary aim of an essay, are reports subjective, how is a report typically structured, can essays contain personal opinions, is a report a detailed account, are essays longer than reports, what's the tone of a report, are essays always formal, should essays be persuasive, can an essay be a literary composition, can essays explore philosophical concepts, do essays have a rigid structure, can reports include tables and figures, who is the typical audience for an essay, what's the main objective of a report, do reports always result from research, who typically reads a report, can a report be spoken, is critical thinking essential in essay writing, do reports make recommendations.

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LibAnswers: Library and Learning Services

What is the difference between an essay and a report.

Reports are typically used to present the findings from a particular project, experiment, or investigation in a systematic way. Essays are used to develop a discussion of a topic or build an argument.

Reports present information in a different way from an essay. Whilst essays are generally quite fluid in terms of structure, enabling the author to explore a topic through a series of paragraphs, a report will be highly structured with section headings and subheadings that have a clear function. Reports often use tables, bullet points and graphics to present information.

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Difference Between Essay and Report

When in college, you will expect to receive various assignments that require a different approach when writing. One of the assignments is essay and report writing which might confuse many students. Although their structure is almost similar, their content differs and you should not confuse one with the other.

Students are encouraged on  reading essays to improve writing  and understand the various types of essays and their purposes. Essays are divided into four categories, namely the argumentative essay, an expository, narrative, and descriptive. Each type serves a certain purpose and a writer must stay within that purpose in the writing process. The writer presents their ideas about a topic.

A report does not rely on a personal idea but it entirely presents information concerning an issue. The information provided must the backed by facts and one of the best ways to present the facts is to use numbers and data.

Where to get help with essay or report writing 

Writing format.

The writer goes on to write the body of the essay and uses paragraphs. Each paragraph transitions into the next and it could contain between three to five paragraphs, with each covering a specific point. The writer summarizes the essay in the concluding statement and then adds references.

Biases in conclusion

Use of figures and diagrams.

Because a report must be based on facts and not opinions, a writer provides evidence to the facts using several ways. They create tables with figures, they  use graphs and illustrations . At some point, they even use bullet points and use numbered or labeled headings and subheads.

FAQs: Academic Skills

What is the difference between an essay and a report.

Essays differ from reports in a number of ways:

• Essays require the writer to argue, defend or justify a point of view with respect to a particular topic or question.  
• An essay includes an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion.
• In essays, headings are not normally used, so each new idea needs to be introduced within the paragraph structure.
• In essays, bullet points and short phrases should be avoided.  Each new sentence should link to the previous one and each paragraph should link to the previous or next one. 
• A Report is used to provide concise information, and in some cases, opinions on a specific subject.
• A report usually includes an executive summary, introduction, body paragraphs, a conclusion and recommendations. However, report structure and format may vary depending on the intended audience. Please consult your assessment brief or learning facilitator if you are unsure.
• Each section has a heading.
• The recommendations may be listed in bullet point format.
• Academic Success
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• Last Updated Apr 30, 2024
• Answered By Library Torrens

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What is the difference between Essay and Report?

Essay is "a short piece of writing on a particular subject." based on Oxford Dictionaries definition

However I don't know exactly what a report is. is it "information about something:"( https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/report )?

what is the difference between them especially in academia

• 3 The dictionaries aren't particularly informative here, but there's a bunch of information online if you search for "essay vs. report". The specifics may vary, but usually an essay is a continuous piece of prose presenting an argument, while a report presents information and can include things like bullet points, tables and charts. –  Maciej Stachowski Mar 19, 2021 at 22:43
• 1 visit Wikipedia if you desire more detail en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essay and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Report –  Mari-Lou A Mar 19, 2021 at 23:02
• I suggest you edit the question and ask the question you really want the answer to. Should the past tense be always used in a report, and if so, why? –  Mari-Lou A Mar 19, 2021 at 23:13

2 Answers 2

Briefly, an essay is often a piece of writing where the author is discussing a statement or presenting a point of view. In schools it is usually formal and factual, but the student gets the opportunity to express their opinion as long as it is supported with valid examples and data.

On the other hand, a report is a collection of facts, data, and often involves the results of a survey or questionnaire. It should be formal and neutral and presented in such a way that the reader finds the relevant pieces of information as quickly and as easily as possible.

• aren't both of them a collection of facts and data and formal so what is the difference? –  pobig43001 Mar 19, 2021 at 22:54
• I thought I said the author can express their opinion in an essay. It is a freer piece of writing but not as free as an article. –  Mari-Lou A Mar 19, 2021 at 22:56
• do reports always use past tense since they are collections of facts, data and often involve surveys or questionnaire? –  pobig43001 Mar 19, 2021 at 22:58
• It depends on the author. If they want to represent information that is relevant to "now" by using the present tense it should be possible –  Mari-Lou A Mar 19, 2021 at 23:00
• I found these ( answers.com/Q/Is_a_report_written_in_past_tense ) ( quora.com/Is-a-report-written-in-past-tense ) and that they should be written in past tense and it is confusing to me to be honest –  pobig43001 Mar 19, 2021 at 23:07

"Report" is more general than "essay" and can have a wider range of connotations or implications, so it may need more adjectives or context around it as compared with an essay, for the listener's understanding. An essay is most often understood to be a relatively short piece of writing on a certain topic, while a report can be spoken, written, short, long, and so on. Reports have a wider range of usage than essays, which are commonly found in academic or literary contexts. Reports are common in media, institutions, scientific contexts, organizations, and so on.

• you can also write an essay more generally? I mean I am still confused, what is the real difference since I see none. –  pobig43001 Mar 20, 2021 at 17:11
• An essay can fulfil the purpose of a report and vice versa. The word essay is just more specific than a report. –  Rubrud Mar 20, 2021 at 17:27
• so they are the same thing? –  pobig43001 Mar 20, 2021 at 17:28
• "Report" has multiple meanings. So they can mean the same thing if you're using "report" to describe an essay that fulfils the purpose of a report. –  Rubrud Mar 20, 2021 at 17:29
• @Ruburd but what is the difference for instance "formal report" and "essay" what is the difference ? –  pobig43001 Mar 20, 2021 at 17:41

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• I'm looking for a series where there was a civilization in the Mediterranean basin, which got destroyed by the Atlantic breaking in
• Have I ruined my AC by running it with the outside cover on?
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• Am I seeing double? What kind of helicopter is this, and how many blades does it actually have?
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• What do humans do uniquely, that computers apparently will not be able to?
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Essay vs report – the differences between them

Understanding the difference between an essay and a report is crucial for students and professionals alike, as each serves a specific purpose and requires a different approach and style. Below is a very easy-to-understand explanation that will help you understand these two commonly misunderstood forms of writing.

What is an Essay?

You can find this sentence all over the internet explaining that “an essay is a piece of writing that presents the author’s argument, perspective, or interpretation.” Well, it is. It’s often considered a reflection of the writer’s thoughts and analytical abilities. Essays are commonly used in educational settings, and they provide students with an opportunity to explore ideas, analyze concepts, and express their thoughts on a given topic. They are typically written in a more formal, polished, and discursive style, which means they often discuss the topics broadly without necessarily providing data or conclusions.

What is a Report?

A report, on the other hand, is a structured document like a table or a graph that presents information as clearly and succinctly as possible. It’s often used in the business, science, and technical fields to convey the results of an experiment, an investigation, or any other information that requires a systematic and factual presentation. Reports are generally straightforward, partitioned into sections with headings and subheadings, and include tables, graphs, or figures to support the information presented.

Key Differences Between an Essay and a Report

• Purpose and Content :
• Essay : The major purpose of an essay is to discuss, explore, and sometimes to persuade. The content of an essay is mainly argumentative and reflective.
• Report : A report aims to inform and sometimes to make recommendations. It is based on factual information, research findings, or specific data.
• Structure :
• Essay : An essay usually follows a less rigid structure, though it often includes an introduction, body, and conclusion. The ideas are connected more fluidly, and the text flows in a narrative style.
• Report : Reports are highly structured, with sections and subsections that could include an abstract, methodology, results, and conclusion. The layout is designed to make information easy to find and understand.
• Style and Language :
• Essay : Essays are subjective and written in a more elaborate language, with comprehensive paragraphs and a focus on language and expression.
• Report : Reports use simple and direct language. Sentences are often shorter, bullet points are common, and the use of jargon is acceptable if it’s industry-specific.
• Analysis and Discussion :
• Essay : Essays often involve a lot of analysis and discussions, with the writer’s point of view taking center stage.
• Report : While some reports include analysis and discussion sections, they focus more on presenting information than offering the writer’s interpretation.
• Essay : The audience for essays is usually academic, like teachers or scholars, who are looking for insight into the writer’s critical thinking and analytical abilities.
• Report : Reports are written for a more varied audience, from corporate executives to scientists, depending on the context. The readers expect conclusions and, possibly, recommendations.

Which One Should You Use?

Deciding whether to write an essay or a report depends mainly on the assignment’s requirements and the purpose of the document. If you need to present your argument or viewpoint on a subject, an essay is the way to go. However, if you need to provide a structured and factual presentation of information, then a report is more appropriate.

Understanding these differences ensures that you meet the expectations for your specific writing task. Both essays and reports are essential to academic and professional communication, and mastering both forms is a valuable skill.

The key takeaway is that an essay is argumentative and reflects the writer’s ideas, while a report is informative and reflects the data or research findings. However, if you find it challenging to write your essay or report or any writing assignment and need help to write it last minute, then  MyEassyNow  is here with its last-minute expert writing services so that you can effectively communicate your knowledge and ideas to your intended audience.

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Spot the Differences

Spot the Differences is a puzzle game that challenges your observation skills as you hunt for disparities between two images! With countless cute paintings featuring scenes from fairy tales, delicious dishes, and charming street views, each level offers a delightful visual treat. Be careful—you have only three lives per level to spot all the correct differences. Feeling stuck? Don't fret! Simply click the hint button for assistance. Sharpen your eyes and uncover all the differences!

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Main Report

Appendix 1: Spending Solutions

Appendix 2: All Other Solutions

Appendix 3: New Discretionary Spending

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January 13, 2024

The 2024‑25 Budget

Overview of the governor’s budget, introduction, what is the budget problem, how does the governor propose addressing the budget problem, budget condition, assessing the governor’s approach, crafting the legislature’s budget, executive summary.

Why Do Budget Problem Estimates Differ? A budget problem is inherently a point‑in‑time estimate that reflects information available at the time of development, forecasts of future revenues and spending, and assumptions about the extent to which changes in costs are due to current policy (that is, whether or not they are “baseline changes”). When changes in costs do not occur automatically under current policy, we count them as budget solutions or augmentations. We take this approach in order to provide the Legislature visibility into the full scope of the administration’s choices.

What Is Our Estimate of the Budget Problem Under the Governor’s Budget?  We estimate the administration solved a budget problem of $58 billion. Our estimate of the Governor’s budget deficit is larger than the administration’s estimate ($38 billion) largely due to differences in what we consider to be baseline changes. The largest of these changes impacts schools and community colleges. Specifically, the administration defines a $15 billion reduction to school and community college spending—relative to the enacted level in 2023—as a baseline change.

How Does the Governor Propose to Solve the Budget Problem? The Governor’s budget solutions focus on spending. Spending‑related solutions (including both school and community college spending and other spending) total $41 billion and represent nearly three‑quarters of the total solutions. In addition, the Governor’s budget includes $13 billion in reserve withdrawals, which represent nearly one‑quarter of the total; $4 billion in cost shifts; and about $400 million in revenue‑related solutions.

Assessing the Governor’s Approach.  The Governor’s budget revenue projection is $15 billion higher than our  Fiscal Outlook . This revenue estimate is plausible, but optimistic. On the spending side, there are strengths and weaknesses to the Governor’s approach. In particular, the Governor’s reserve withdrawal is reasonable, and we think focusing on spending‑related solutions is warranted. However, some significant spending‑related solutions pose challenges. The budget lacks a plan for implementing proposed reductions to schools and community colleges, and some other solutions are unlikely to yield the anticipated savings. Further, the state faces significant deficits in the coming years, likely necessitating difficult decisions in the future, such as reductions to core services and/or revenue increases.

Crafting the Legislature’s Budget. Overall, the Governor’s budget runs the risk of understating the degree of fiscal pressure facing the state in the future. The Legislature likely will face more difficult choices next year. To mitigate these challenges, we recommend the Legislature develop this year’s budget with a focus on future years. Specifically, we suggest the Legislature: (1) plan for lower revenues, (2) maintain a similar reserve withdrawal, (3) develop a plan for school and community college funding, (4) maximize reductions in one‑time spending, and (5) apply a higher bar for any discretionary proposals and contain ongoing service level.

On January 10, 2024, Governor Newsom presented his proposed state budget to the California Legislature. In this report, we provide a brief summary of the Governor’s budget based on our initial review as of January 12. In the coming weeks, we will analyze the plan in more detail and release many additional issue‑specific budget analyses.

A budget problem—also called a deficit—arises when resources for the upcoming budget are insufficient to cover the costs of currently authorized services. In the Governor’s budget, the administration estimated that the state faces a budget problem of $38 billion. In December, our office pegged the budget problem at $68 billion. The difference between these estimates is narrower than these topline numbers might suggest.

A budget problem is inherently a point‑in‑time estimate that reflects information available at the time of development, forecasts of future revenues and spending, and assumptions about the extent to which changes in costs are due to current policy (that is, whether or not they are “baseline changes”). When changes in costs do not occur automatically under current policy, we count them as budget solutions or augmentations. We take this approach in order to provide the Legislature visibility into the full scope of the administration’s choices. This section walks through the sources of our differences with the administration and how those differences impact the budget problem estimate.

We Estimate the Administration Solved a Larger Budget Problem—$58   Billion. While the Governor cited a budget problem of $38 billion, we estimate the administration solved a budget problem of $58 billion. Our estimate of the Governor’s budget deficit is larger than the administration’s largely due to differences in what we consider to be baseline changes. As the left side of Figure 1 shows, we estimate the administration counts about $21 billion in budget solutions as baseline changes. The largest of these changes impacts schools and community colleges. Specifically, the administration defines a $15 billion reduction to school and community college spending—relative to the enacted level in 2023—as a baseline change. As we explained in our report The 2024‑25 Budget: California’s Fiscal Outlook , these adjustments would not be automatic under current law—they would require proactive choices by the Legislature—and therefore we count them as policy choices. Similarly, across the rest of the budget, we estimate the administration scores about $5 billion in other budget solutions as baseline changes. This includes, for example, $1.6 billion in spending delays for competitive transit grant funds, a change in the General Child Care budgeting methodology that results in nearly $900 million in savings over the budget window, and a change in the distribution of funds in the school facilities program that delays nearly $700 million in spending until after 2024‑25. If these actions were all counted as policy choices, rather than baseline changes, the resulting budget problem would be $58 billion.

We Estimate the Net Difference Between LAO and Administration Budget Problems Is About $10   Billion. The right side of Figure 1 shows the differences between our estimate of the administration’s budget problem versus our own December 2023 estimate. The key difference here is related to our offices’ respective revenue forecasts—the Governor’s are about $15 billion higher. Offsetting these higher revenues are some other changes. For example, the Governor sets aside $3.4 billion for unexpected costs and proposes over $2 billion in new discretionary proposals. Both of these choices make the budget problem larger and necessitate additional budget solutions by these amounts. (We will provide tables of all of the Governor’s proposed solutions and discretionary actions in forthcoming Appendices.)

Figure 2 summarizes the budget solutions that this section describes in detail. The Governor’s budget solutions focus on spending. Spending‑related solutions (including both school and community college spending and other spending) total $41 billion and represent nearly three‑quarters of the total solutions. In addition, the Governor’s budget includes $13 billion in reserve withdrawals, which represent nearly one‑quarter of the total; $4 billion in cost shifts; and about $400 million in revenue‑related solutions.

Spending‑Related Solutions

The Governor’s budget includes $26 billion in spending‑related budget solutions (excluding schools and community colleges). These solutions can be categorized into four types: reductions, delays, fund shifts, and reversions. Nearly all of the Governor’s spending‑related solutions are one‑time and temporary, rather than ongoing. The remainder of this section describes each of these types in turn.

Reductions. Under our definition, a spending reduction occurs when the Governor proposes the state spend less money than what has been established under current law or policy. More colloquially, these are spending cuts. The Governor’s budget includes $8 billion in spending‑related reductions. The largest include: a nearly $800 million reduction to state departments’ operation budgets, proposed to be allocated through departments’ vacancy rates; about $500 million in savings to continue an existing two‑week delay in Medi‑Cal payments; a $500 million reduction to the school facilities aid program; and a $350 million reduction to legislative district projects.

Delays. We define a delay as an expenditure reduction that occurs in the budget window (2022‑23 through 2024‑25), but has an associated expenditure increase in a future year of the multiyear window (2025‑26 through 2027‑28). That is, the Governor proposes moving the spending to a future year. About $8 billion of the Governor’s spending‑related solutions are delays. As a result, proposed spending is higher by $5 billion in 2025‑26, nearly $2 billion in 2026‑27, and roughly $1 billion in 2027‑28. Given our and the administration’s forecasts of the budget condition in future years, the state likely cannot afford this spending. Although these delayed amounts would be subject to future budget conditions and legislative decisions, some delays create a relatively strong obligation or expectation on the state. For example, the Governor proposes reverting and delaying provision of about $2.7 billion in previously appropriated funding that already has been committed for specific state and local transportation projects. Because state departments and local agencies will already be well underway in planning, financing, and beginning to implement these projects, not providing this funding in future years would cause disruptions.

Fund Shifts. Fund shifts are budget solutions that use other fund sources—for example, special funds—to pay for a cost typically incurred by the General Fund. These shifts displace spending that these special funds otherwise would have supported. As a result, we consider these to be a type of spending‑related solution because they typically result in lower overall state spending, inclusive of all funds. We estimate the Governor’s budget includes $6 billion in fund shifts. This includes: using nearly $4 billion in revenue from the managed care organization tax to offset General Fund costs in Medi‑Cal and shifting $1.8 billion in costs for multiple programs from the General Fund to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

Reversions. Costs for state programs sometimes come in lower than the amount that was appropriated. This often occurs, for example, when the state overestimates uptake in a new program or as a routine matter in programs where spending is uncertain due to factors like caseload. When actual state costs are below budgeted amounts, a reversion occurs after a period of time—typically , three years. The reversion returns the unspent funds to the General Fund. In this year’s budget, the Governor proposes accelerating some reversions that would have otherwise occurred in the future and proposes proactively reverting certain funds that otherwise are continuously appropriated (which has the effect of realizing savings from the unspent funds that would not otherwise occur). While not all of these amounts represent lower state spending over the long term, they do result in savings today at a cost in the future. As a result, we count them as spending‑related solutions. We estimate the proposed budget includes about $3 billion in reversions.

School and Community College Spending

$15   Billion in Lower Spending on Schools and Community Colleges. The California Constitution sets a minimum annual funding requirement for schools and community colleges (otherwise known as Proposition 98 [1988]). The state meets this requirement through a combination of General Fund spending and local property tax revenue. Due to the large decline in General Fund revenues, the constitutionally required General Fund spending level is down $15.2 billion relative to the estimates in the June budget. The Governor proposes to reduce school and community college spending to this lower level (we describe the specific reductions in the next section).

Reserve Withdrawals

Budget Stabilization Account. Proposition 2 (2014) governs deposits into and withdrawals from the state’s general‑purpose constitutional reserve—the Budget Stabilization Account (BSA). Under these rules, the state can make withdrawals from the constitutionally required balance of the BSA in a fiscal emergency, which occurs when estimated resources for the upcoming year are insufficient to cover the costs of the previous three enacted budgets, adjusted for inflation and population. Although the Governor has not officially declared a budget emergency for 2024‑25 (or any other year in the budget window), we agree that the conditions for a declaration exist. After a budget emergency is declared, the state can withdraw up to half of the constitutional balance of the BSA. (The Legislature also can withdraw the entire “discretionary” balance of the BSA at any time, which are amounts that were deposited into the fund on top of Proposition 2 requirements.) The Governor proposes withdrawing half of the BSA’s constitutional balance, $10.2 billion, and the entire discretionary balance, $1.8 billion.

Safety Net Reserve. The Governor also proposes withdrawing the entire balance of the Safety Net Reserve—$900 million. Withdrawing the entire balance of the Safety Net Reserve may not be consistent with legislative intent. The Safety Net Reserve was designed to help cover costs of increasing caseload in Medi‑Cal and the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program in the event of an economic downturn. Although caseloads under the Governor’s budget are higher than anticipated in June, economic conditions likely do not yet match what the Legislature envisioned when it created the reserve. Moreover, the administration proposes ongoing reductions to CalWORKs despite withdrawing these reserves. Withdrawing the entirety of this reserve may not be consistent with its original design.

Cost Shifts

The Governor’s budget includes about $4 billion in cost shifts. We define cost shifts as budget actions that achieve savings in the present, but result in a binding obligation or higher cost for the state in a future year. In that way, these actions can be similar to borrowing, but are often not explicitly structured as such. For example, major categories of cost shifts in the Governor’s budget include proposals to: defer one month of state employee payroll from June to July, which results in $1.6 billion in one‑time savings; redirect a $1.3 billion supplemental pension payment made under the requirements of Proposition 2 for actuarially required contributions to the California Public Employee Retirement System, and $1.2 billion in special fund loans.

Revenue‑Related Solutions

We estimate the Governor’s budget includes about $400 million in revenue‑related solutions. For example, the Governor proposes narrowing businesses’ ability to reduce their tax bill by counting previous losses against their current income. This would generate about $300 million in additional revenue in 2024‑25.

In this section, we describe the overall condition of the General Fund budget after accounting for the Governor’s budget proposals and solutions. We also describe the condition of the school and community college budget.

General Fund Budget

Figure 3 shows the General Fund condition based on the Governor’s proposals and using the administration’s estimates and assumptions.

General Fund Condition Summary

(In Millions)

Under Governor’s Budget, Reserves Would Total $14.5   Billion by End of 2024‑25. Under the Governor’s budget, general purpose reserves would total $14.5 billion by the end of 2024‑25. (In addition, the state would have $3.9 billion in the Proposition 98 Reserve, available only for school and community college programs.) The remaining balance of the BSA—$11  billion—would likely be available to address a budget problem next year in the very likely event that it occurs.

Administration Plans for Significant Future Budget Deficits. The Governor’s budget includes estimates of multiyear revenues and spending. Under the administration’s projections, the state faces operating deficits of $37 billion in 2025‑26, $30 billion in 2026‑27, and $28 billion in 2027‑28. (As shown in Figure 4 , these deficits are very similar to our December projections of the budget’s position—although our estimates were based on current law and policy, not the Governor’s budget proposals.) Although these future deficits are smaller than the current one, they are still quite significant. Moreover, the state is likely to face these deficits with fewer options—such as one‑time spending reductions and reserves. As such, future deficits are likely to require more difficult decisions, like ongoing spending cuts and revenue increases.

School and Community College Budget

Funding for Schools and Community Colleges Down $14.3   Billion Over Budget Window. Compared with the estimates included in the June 2023 budget plan, the administration estimates the constitutional minimum funding level for schools and community colleges is down $14.3 billion over the 2022‑23 through 2024‑25 period. This downward revision consists of a $15.2 billion reduction in required General Fund spending, partially offset by a $903 million increase in local property tax revenue. Most of the reduction—$9.1  billion—is attributable to 2022‑23, with the remainder divided about evenly between 2023‑24 and 2024‑25. The Governor proposes to reduce funding to the lower constitutional level through a combination of spending reductions and discretionary withdrawals from the Proposition 98 Reserve. These reductions also free up funding for a few smaller augmentations.

Assumes $8   Billion in Lower Spending in 2022‑23. The budget proposes to reduce General Fund spending on school and community college programs in 2022‑23 by $8 billion. The budget does not specify how the state will implement this reduction, but indicates the state will make the reduction in a way that avoids impacting school and community college budgets. We also understand that as part of this action, the state would make supplemental payments totaling $8 billion over a five‑year period (from 2025‑26 through 2029‑30). (Separate from this proposal, the budget scores $1.1 billion in lower baseline spending in 2022‑23.)

Proposes Discretionary Withdrawal From Proposition   98 Reserve. The Proposition 98 Reserve is a statewide reserve account for school and community college funding. The Governor proposes to make a discretionary withdrawal of $5.7 billion from this account to help cover costs for existing school and community college programs in 2023‑24 and 2024‑25. After accounting for the discretionary withdrawal and a few other automatic adjustments, the remaining balance in the reserve would be $3.9 billion.

Funds Augmentations in a Few Areas. The most notable ongoing augmentation is a 0.76 percent statutory cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for existing school and community college programs. The most notable one‑time proposal is $500 million for a second round of grants funding zero‑emission school buses. The budget also proposes smaller increases related to the educator workforce, education technology, and community college nursing programs.

Revenues Optimistic but Plausible. California entered a revenue and economic downturn last fiscal year. State tax revenues fell 20 percent. The number of unemployed workers in California increased by 200,000. A key question for this budget is: to what extent and for how long will this downturn persist? The Governor’s budget assumes a quick return to growth, projecting an 8 percent increase in tax revenues in the current fiscal year. While possible, we think this assumption is optimistic. Halfway through the current year, we are yet to see clear signs of such a rebound. Income tax withholding is up only 2 percent. Sales tax collections are down slightly. In the relatively important collections month of December, corporation tax collections posted double digit declines. Unemployment continues to tick up consistently each month. One potential reason for optimism is the rebound in stock prices that occurred over the last year, especially in the spring of 2023. Stock market rallies, however, can reverse as quickly as they start. Further, the relationship between stock price gains and state revenues is complex. Any two similar stock market rallies can have significantly different impacts on state revenues.

Reserve Withdrawals Generally Reasonable. The Governor proposes withdrawing roughly half of the BSA and the entire Safety Net Reserve to help solve the budget problem. While the administration likely could withdraw the entire balance of the BSA under the rules of Proposition 2 (for example, if the Governor declared a budget emergency for multiple years in the budget window), maintaining a sizeable balance in the BSA is prudent given the continued budget problems likely for future years.

Budget Lacks Plan for Implementing Proposed Reductions in School and Community College Spending. The largest source of savings within the Governor’s school and community college spending package is a proposed reduction of $8 billion in 2022‑23 funding. The administration, however, has not explained how its proposal could achieve $8 billion in savings, given the administration also indicates the proposal would not impact school and community college budgets. The Legislature will need significantly more information before it can assess the proposal—including its potential effects on the state budget after 2024‑25. The Legislature also may want to consider alternative solutions, such as making additional withdrawals from the Proposition 98 Reserve, funding fewer augmentations, or making targeted reductions to existing programs.

Governor’s Spending‑Related Solutions Warranted, but Some Solutions Could Pose Challenges. The administration proposes spending‑related solutions (excluding school and community college spending) of $26 billion. This is a good start to solving the budget problem as these reductions largely do not impact the state’s ongoing core service level. There are some solutions, however, that may not yield the savings required to balance the budget. For example, across‑the‑board reductions—like the proposal to allocate general funding cuts to departments based on their vacancy rates—historically have not generated the initially assumed savings. In addition, as discussed earlier, some proposed solutions increase future budget pressure and shift fiscal risk to other entities. In addition to the transportation example provided earlier, the administration suggests the University of California and California State University could use delayed payments as collateral against borrowing. Not only would this proposal increase the pressure on the state to provide these payments next year—despite continued deficits—but it also would shift fiscal risk to these entities in the event the state does not ultimately make these payments.

Despite Spending‑Related Solutions, Governor’s Budget Likely Unsustainable in Future Years. The state faces significant operating deficits in the coming years, which are the result of lower revenue estimates, as well as increased cost pressures. These deficits are somewhat compounded by the Governor’s budget proposals to delay spending to future years and add billions in new discretionary proposals. State revenues in the out‑years would need to exceed the administration’s forecast by roughly $50 billion per year in order to sustain the spending proposed by the Governor’s budget. While our multiyear revenue forecast is somewhat above the administration, it is well below amount needed to close the deficits. Thus, while it may be reasonable to expect some upside to the administration’s multiyear revenues, it is unlikely this upside will resolve the out year deficits.

Overall, the Governor’s budget runs the risk of understating the degree of fiscal pressure facing the state in the future. The Legislature likely will face more difficult choices next year. To mitigate these challenges, we recommend the Legislature develop this year’s budget with a focus on future years. In particular, most of the recommendations we make here would mitigate some of the need for even more difficult decisions in the future, such as reductions to core services and/or revenue increases.

Plan for Lower Revenues. By May, we will be much closer to resolving the question of how much (if at all) revenues will rebound in the current fiscal year. While many outcomes are possible, our assessment of the current evidence suggests the resolution of this question likely will result in the administration revising down their revenue estimates in May. Should this occur, it would necessitate additional budget solutions. We advise the Legislature to begin to consider now what those solutions could be.

Maintain Similar Reserve Withdrawal. We advise the Legislature to use no more in reserves than proposed by the Governor—currently about half of general‑purpose reserves. Given the state is likely to continue to face significant budget problems in the coming years, depleting reserves now would make reductions to ongoing programs and/or ongoing revenue increases more likely.

Develop Plan for School and Community College Funding. Given the lack of clarity in the Governor’s proposal, the Legislature may want to develop its own plan for addressing school and community college funding. As we describe in our Fiscal Outlook , the Legislature could use the existing balance in the Proposition 98 Reserve to help cover spending above the constitutional minimum in 2022‑23. This approach would allow the state to reduce spending in 2022‑23 with no immediate effect on schools and community colleges.

Maximize One‑Time Spending Reductions. The Governor’s budget includes $26 billion in spending‑related solutions (excluding school and community college solutions). While the Governor’s budget likely reflects pulling back most recently approved one‑time and temporary spending, we are still assessing whether any additional such appropriations remain. To the extent they do, we recommend the Legislature assess whether additional pull backs could be achieved, including in the current year. Maximizing one‑time spending reductions allows the Legislature to minimize the use of other budget tools—like reserves—that likely will be needed in future years. To ensure these one‑time savings can be realized, the Legislature may wish to consider early action on current‑year appropriations.

Apply High Bar for Any Discretionary Proposals and Contain Ongoing Service Level. The Governor’s budget includes roughly $2 billion in discretionary proposals for 2024‑25. To balance the budget, these discretionary proposals require additional reductions to already approved expenditures. Consequently, we recommend the Legislature set a very high threshold for approving these new proposals. Specifically, the Legislature would need to view these new proposals as preferable to already approved spending. We also recommend the Legislature avoid growing the ongoing service level by assessing whether to continue approved, but not yet implemented, programs.

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How Pew Research Center will report on generations moving forward

Journalists, researchers and the public often look at society through the lens of generation, using terms like Millennial or Gen Z to describe groups of similarly aged people. This approach can help readers see themselves in the data and assess where we are and where we’re headed as a country.

Pew Research Center has been at the forefront of generational research over the years, telling the story of Millennials as they came of age politically and as they moved more firmly into adult life . In recent years, we’ve also been eager to learn about Gen Z as the leading edge of this generation moves into adulthood.

But generational research has become a crowded arena. The field has been flooded with content that’s often sold as research but is more like clickbait or marketing mythology. There’s also been a growing chorus of criticism about generational research and generational labels in particular.

Recently, as we were preparing to embark on a major research project related to Gen Z, we decided to take a step back and consider how we can study generations in a way that aligns with our values of accuracy, rigor and providing a foundation of facts that enriches the public dialogue.

A typical generation spans 15 to 18 years. As many critics of generational research point out, there is great diversity of thought, experience and behavior within generations.

We set out on a yearlong process of assessing the landscape of generational research. We spoke with experts from outside Pew Research Center, including those who have been publicly critical of our generational analysis, to get their take on the pros and cons of this type of work. We invested in methodological testing to determine whether we could compare findings from our earlier telephone surveys to the online ones we’re conducting now. And we experimented with higher-level statistical analyses that would allow us to isolate the effect of generation.

What emerged from this process was a set of clear guidelines that will help frame our approach going forward. Many of these are principles we’ve always adhered to , but others will require us to change the way we’ve been doing things in recent years.

Here’s a short overview of how we’ll approach generational research in the future:

We’ll only do generational analysis when we have historical data that allows us to compare generations at similar stages of life. When comparing generations, it’s crucial to control for age. In other words, researchers need to look at each generation or age cohort at a similar point in the life cycle. (“Age cohort” is a fancy way of referring to a group of people who were born around the same time.)

When doing this kind of research, the question isn’t whether young adults today are different from middle-aged or older adults today. The question is whether young adults today are different from young adults at some specific point in the past.

To answer this question, it’s necessary to have data that’s been collected over a considerable amount of time – think decades. Standard surveys don’t allow for this type of analysis. We can look at differences across age groups, but we can’t compare age groups over time.

Another complication is that the surveys we conducted 20 or 30 years ago aren’t usually comparable enough to the surveys we’re doing today. Our earlier surveys were done over the phone, and we’ve since transitioned to our nationally representative online survey panel , the American Trends Panel . Our internal testing showed that on many topics, respondents answer questions differently depending on the way they’re being interviewed. So we can’t use most of our surveys from the late 1980s and early 2000s to compare Gen Z with Millennials and Gen Xers at a similar stage of life.

This means that most generational analysis we do will use datasets that have employed similar methodologies over a long period of time, such as surveys from the U.S. Census Bureau. A good example is our 2020 report on Millennial families , which used census data going back to the late 1960s. The report showed that Millennials are marrying and forming families at a much different pace than the generations that came before them.

Even when we have historical data, we will attempt to control for other factors beyond age in making generational comparisons. If we accept that there are real differences across generations, we’re basically saying that people who were born around the same time share certain attitudes or beliefs – and that their views have been influenced by external forces that uniquely shaped them during their formative years. Those forces may have been social changes, economic circumstances, technological advances or political movements.

When we see that younger adults have different views than their older counterparts, it may be driven by their demographic traits rather than the fact that they belong to a particular generation.

The tricky part is isolating those forces from events or circumstances that have affected all age groups, not just one generation. These are often called “period effects.” An example of a period effect is the Watergate scandal, which drove down trust in government among all age groups. Differences in trust across age groups in the wake of Watergate shouldn’t be attributed to the outsize impact that event had on one age group or another, because the change occurred across the board.

Changing demographics also may play a role in patterns that might at first seem like generational differences. We know that the United States has become more racially and ethnically diverse in recent decades, and that race and ethnicity are linked with certain key social and political views. When we see that younger adults have different views than their older counterparts, it may be driven by their demographic traits rather than the fact that they belong to a particular generation.

Controlling for these factors can involve complicated statistical analysis that helps determine whether the differences we see across age groups are indeed due to generation or not. This additional step adds rigor to the process. Unfortunately, it’s often absent from current discussions about Gen Z, Millennials and other generations.

When we can’t do generational analysis, we still see value in looking at differences by age and will do so where it makes sense. Age is one of the most common predictors of differences in attitudes and behaviors. And even if age gaps aren’t rooted in generational differences, they can still be illuminating. They help us understand how people across the age spectrum are responding to key trends, technological breakthroughs and historical events.

Each stage of life comes with a unique set of experiences. Young adults are often at the leading edge of changing attitudes on emerging social trends. Take views on same-sex marriage , for example, or attitudes about gender identity .

Many middle-aged adults, in turn, face the challenge of raising children while also providing care and support to their aging parents. And older adults have their own obstacles and opportunities. All of these stories – rooted in the life cycle, not in generations – are important and compelling, and we can tell them by analyzing our surveys at any given point in time.

When we do have the data to study groups of similarly aged people over time, we won’t always default to using the standard generational definitions and labels. While generational labels are simple and catchy, there are other ways to analyze age cohorts. For example, some observers have suggested grouping people by the decade in which they were born. This would create narrower cohorts in which the members may share more in common. People could also be grouped relative to their age during key historical events (such as the Great Recession or the COVID-19 pandemic) or technological innovations (like the invention of the iPhone).

By choosing not to use the standard generational labels when they’re not appropriate, we can avoid reinforcing harmful stereotypes or oversimplifying people’s complex lived experiences.

Existing generational definitions also may be too broad and arbitrary to capture differences that exist among narrower cohorts. A typical generation spans 15 to 18 years. As many critics of generational research point out, there is great diversity of thought, experience and behavior within generations. The key is to pick a lens that’s most appropriate for the research question that’s being studied. If we’re looking at political views and how they’ve shifted over time, for example, we might group people together according to the first presidential election in which they were eligible to vote.

With these considerations in mind, our audiences should not expect to see a lot of new research coming out of Pew Research Center that uses the generational lens. We’ll only talk about generations when it adds value, advances important national debates and highlights meaningful societal trends.

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• Demographic Research
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• Generations
• Greatest Generation
• Methodological Research
• Millennials
• Silent Generation

Kim Parker is director of social trends research at Pew Research Center .

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What is generative AI?

In the months and years since ChatGPT burst on the scene in November 2022, generative AI (gen AI) has come a long way. Every month sees the launch of new tools, rules, or iterative technological advancements. While many have reacted to ChatGPT (and AI and machine learning more broadly) with fear, machine learning clearly has the potential for good. In the years since its wide deployment, machine learning has demonstrated impact in a number of industries, accomplishing things like medical imaging analysis  and high-resolution weather forecasts. A 2022 McKinsey survey shows that AI adoption has more than doubled  over the past five years, and investment in AI is increasing apace. It’s clear that generative AI tools like ChatGPT (the GPT stands for generative pretrained transformer) and image generator DALL-E (its name a mashup of the surrealist artist Salvador Dalí and the lovable Pixar robot WALL-E) have the potential to change how a range of jobs are performed. The full scope of that impact, though, is still unknown—as are the risks.

Get to know and directly engage with McKinsey's senior experts on generative AI

Aamer Baig is a senior partner in McKinsey’s Chicago office;  Lareina Yee  is a senior partner in the Bay Area office; and senior partners  Alex Singla  and Alexander Sukharevsky , global leaders of QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey, are based in the Chicago and London offices, respectively.

Still, organizations of all stripes have raced to incorporate gen AI tools into their business models, looking to capture a piece of a sizable prize. McKinsey research indicates that gen AI applications stand to add up to $4.4 trillion  to the global economy—annually. Indeed, it seems possible that within the next three years, anything in the technology, media, and telecommunications space not connected to AI will be considered obsolete or ineffective .

But before all that value can be raked in, we need to get a few things straight: What is gen AI, how was it developed, and what does it mean for people and organizations? Read on to get the download.

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QuantumBlack, McKinsey’s AI arm, helps companies transform using the power of technology, technical expertise, and industry experts. With thousands of practitioners at QuantumBlack (data engineers, data scientists, product managers, designers, and software engineers) and McKinsey (industry and domain experts), we are working to solve the world’s most important AI challenges. QuantumBlack Labs is our center of technology development and client innovation, which has been driving cutting-edge advancements and developments in AI through locations across the globe.

Artificial intelligence is pretty much just what it sounds like—the practice of getting machines to mimic human intelligence to perform tasks. You’ve probably interacted with AI even if you don’t realize it—voice assistants like Siri and Alexa are founded on AI technology, as are customer service chatbots that pop up to help you navigate websites.

Machine learning is a type of artificial intelligence. Through machine learning, practitioners develop artificial intelligence through models that can “learn” from data patterns without human direction. The unmanageably huge volume and complexity of data (unmanageable by humans, anyway) that is now being generated has increased machine learning’s potential , as well as the need for it.

What are the main types of machine learning models?

Machine learning is founded on a number of building blocks, starting with classical statistical techniques  developed between the 18th and 20th centuries for small data sets. In the 1930s and 1940s, the pioneers of computing—including theoretical mathematician Alan Turing—began working on the basic techniques for machine learning. But these techniques were limited to laboratories until the late 1970s, when scientists first developed computers powerful enough to mount them.

Until recently, machine learning was largely limited to predictive models, used to observe and classify patterns in content. For example, a classic machine learning problem is to start with an image or several images of, say, adorable cats. The program would then identify patterns among the images, and then scrutinize random images for ones that would match the adorable cat pattern. Generative AI was a breakthrough. Rather than simply perceive and classify a photo of a cat, machine learning is now able to create an image or text description of a cat on demand.

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How do text-based machine learning models work how are they trained.

ChatGPT may be getting all the headlines now, but it’s not the first text-based machine learning model to make a splash. OpenAI’s GPT-3 and Google’s BERT both launched in recent years to some fanfare. But before ChatGPT, which by most accounts works pretty well most of the time (though it’s still being evaluated), AI chatbots didn’t always get the best reviews. GPT-3 is “by turns super impressive and super disappointing,” said New York Times tech reporter Cade Metz in a video where he and food writer Priya Krishna asked GPT-3 to write recipes for a (rather disastrous) Thanksgiving dinner .

The first machine learning models to work with text were trained by humans to classify various inputs according to labels set by researchers. One example would be a model trained to label social media  posts as either positive or negative. This type of training is known as supervised learning because a human is in charge of “teaching” the model what to do.

The next generation of text-based machine learning models rely on what’s known as self-supervised learning. This type of training involves feeding a model a massive amount of text so it becomes able to generate predictions. For example, some models can predict, based on a few words, how a sentence will end. With the right amount of sample text—say, a broad swath of the internet—these text models become quite accurate. We’re seeing just how accurate with the success of tools like ChatGPT.

What does it take to build a generative AI model?

Building a generative AI model has for the most part been a major undertaking, to the extent that only a few well-resourced tech heavyweights have made an attempt . OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, former GPT models, and DALL-E, has billions in funding from bold-face-name donors. DeepMind is a subsidiary of Alphabet, the parent company of Google, and even Meta has dipped a toe into the generative AI model pool with its Make-A-Video product. These companies employ some of the world’s best computer scientists and engineers.

But it’s not just talent. When you’re asking a model to train using nearly the entire internet, it’s going to cost you. OpenAI hasn’t released exact costs, but estimates indicate that GPT-3 was trained on around 45 terabytes of text data—that’s about one million feet of bookshelf space, or a quarter of the entire Library of Congress—at an estimated cost of several million dollars. These aren’t resources your garden-variety start-up can access.

What kinds of output can a generative AI model produce?

As you may have noticed above, outputs from generative AI models can be indistinguishable from human-generated content, or they can seem a little uncanny. The results depend on the quality of the model—as we’ve seen, ChatGPT’s outputs so far appear superior to those of its predecessors—and the match between the model and the use case, or input.

ChatGPT can produce what one commentator called a “ solid A- ” essay comparing theories of nationalism from Benedict Anderson and Ernest Gellner—in ten seconds. It also produced an already famous passage describing how to remove a peanut butter sandwich from a VCR in the style of the King James Bible. Image-generating AI models like DALL-E 2 can create strange, beautiful images on demand, like a Raphael painting of a Madonna and child, eating pizza . Other generative AI models can produce code, video, audio, or business simulations .

But the outputs aren’t always accurate—or appropriate. When Priya Krishna asked DALL-E 2 to come up with an image for Thanksgiving dinner, it produced a scene where the turkey was garnished with whole limes, set next to a bowl of what appeared to be guacamole. For its part, ChatGPT seems to have trouble counting, or solving basic algebra problems—or, indeed, overcoming the sexist and racist bias that lurks in the undercurrents of the internet and society more broadly.

Generative AI outputs are carefully calibrated combinations of the data used to train the algorithms. Because the amount of data used to train these algorithms is so incredibly massive—as noted, GPT-3 was trained on 45 terabytes of text data—the models can appear to be “creative” when producing outputs. What’s more, the models usually have random elements, which means they can produce a variety of outputs from one input request—making them seem even more lifelike.

What kinds of problems can a generative AI model solve?

The opportunity for businesses is clear. Generative AI tools can produce a wide variety of credible writing in seconds, then respond to criticism to make the writing more fit for purpose. This has implications for a wide variety of industries, from IT and software organizations that can benefit from the instantaneous, largely correct code generated by AI models to organizations in need of marketing copy. In short, any organization that needs to produce clear written materials potentially stands to benefit. Organizations can also use generative AI to create more technical materials, such as higher-resolution versions of medical images. And with the time and resources saved here, organizations can pursue new business opportunities and the chance to create more value.

We’ve seen that developing a generative AI model is so resource intensive that it is out of the question for all but the biggest and best-resourced companies. Companies looking to put generative AI to work have the option to either use generative AI out of the box or fine-tune them to perform a specific task. If you need to prepare slides according to a specific style, for example, you could ask the model to “learn” how headlines are normally written based on the data in the slides, then feed it slide data and ask it to write appropriate headlines.

What are the limitations of AI models? How can these potentially be overcome?

Because they are so new, we have yet to see the long tail effect of generative AI models. This means there are some inherent risks  involved in using them—some known and some unknown.

The outputs generative AI models produce may often sound extremely convincing. This is by design. But sometimes the information they generate is just plain wrong. Worse, sometimes it’s biased (because it’s built on the gender, racial, and myriad other biases of the internet and society more generally) and can be manipulated to enable unethical or criminal activity. For example, ChatGPT won’t give you instructions on how to hotwire a car, but if you say you need to hotwire a car to save a baby, the algorithm is happy to comply. Organizations that rely on generative AI models should reckon with reputational and legal risks involved in unintentionally publishing biased, offensive, or copyrighted content.

These risks can be mitigated, however, in a few ways. For one, it’s crucial to carefully select the initial data used to train these models to avoid including toxic or biased content. Next, rather than employing an off-the-shelf generative AI model, organizations could consider using smaller, specialized models. Organizations with more resources could also customize a general model based on their own data to fit their needs and minimize biases. Organizations should also keep a human in the loop (that is, to make sure a real human checks the output of a generative AI model before it is published or used) and avoid using generative AI models for critical decisions, such as those involving significant resources or human welfare.

It can’t be emphasized enough that this is a new field. The landscape of risks and opportunities  is likely to change rapidly in coming weeks, months, and years. New use cases are being tested monthly, and new models are likely to be developed in the coming years. As generative AI becomes increasingly, and seamlessly, incorporated into business, society, and our personal lives, we can also expect a new regulatory climate  to take shape. As organizations begin experimenting—and creating value—with these tools, leaders will do well to keep a finger on the pulse of regulation and risk.

Articles referenced include:

• " Implementing generative AI with speed and safety ,” March 13, 2024, Oliver Bevan, Michael Chui , Ida Kristensen , Brittany Presten, and Lareina Yee
• “ Beyond the hype: Capturing the potential of AI and gen AI in tech, media, and telecom ,” February 22, 2024, Venkat Atluri , Peter Dahlström , Brendan Gaffey , Víctor García de la Torre, Noshir Kaka , Tomás Lajous , Alex Singla , Alex Sukharevsky , Andrea Travasoni , and Benjamim Vieira
• “ As gen AI advances, regulators—and risk functions—rush to keep pace ,” December 21, 2023, Andreas Kremer, Angela Luget, Daniel Mikkelsen , Henning Soller , Malin Strandell-Jansson, and Sheila Zingg
• “ The economic potential of generative AI: The next productivity frontier ,” June 14, 2023, Michael Chui , Eric Hazan , Roger Roberts , Alex Singla , Kate Smaje , Alex Sukharevsky , Lareina Yee , and Rodney Zemmel
• “ What every CEO should know about generative AI ,” May 12, 2023, Michael Chui , Roger Roberts , Tanya Rodchenko, Alex Singla , Alex Sukharevsky , Lareina Yee , and Delphine Zurkiya
• “ Exploring opportunities in the generative AI value chain ,” April 26, 2023, Tobias Härlin, Gardar Björnsson Rova , Alex Singla , Oleg Sokolov, and Alex Sukharevsky
• “ The state of AI in 2022—and a half decade in review ,” December 6, 2022,  Michael Chui ,  Bryce Hall ,  Helen Mayhew , Alex Singla , and Alex Sukharevsky
• “ McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2023 ,” July 20, 2023,  Michael Chui , Mena Issler,  Roger Roberts , and  Lareina Yee  
• “ An executive’s guide to AI ,” Michael Chui , Vishnu Kamalnath, and Brian McCarthy
• “ What AI can and can’t do (yet) for your business ,” January 11, 2018,  Michael Chui , James Manyika , and Mehdi Miremadi

This article was updated in April 2024; it was originally published in January 2023.

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