To write your own report with facts and opinion, follow these steps:

1. Choose a topic for a paper to include at least 200 words.

Do not make your topic too broad, such as "animals." Choose a topic that is specific, such as "coyotes."

The topic you choose may be anything that interests you, such as a place you visited or would like to visit, an animal, or a famous person. Your choice of topic may be something scientific such as stars, hurricanes, or volcanoes. You may also choose to write about a person or pick a theme such as "love" or "courage."

Be sure the topic you choose will lend itself to giving your opinion. Do not choose a topic on which you cannot give your own opinions or report the opinions of someone else. An experience such as a vacation trip is a good choice since you can give facts about the place you visited and opinions about what the place is like.

2. Find at least two sources of information about your topic. Look in reference books such as encyclopedias, almanacs, or dictionaries. Find books or magazine articles about your topic. Use your library or the Internet. Search for information your readers do not already know. Be sure to check spellings.

3. Take notes. Jot down any interesting facts about your topic you would like to include in your report. Make sure you include your source information with your notes. This information includes the name of the book or magazine, the name of the author, the name of the article or chapter, the publishing date, and the page number(s) on which you found the information. Later you will include the source information in your paper.

4. Include any personal opinions about your subject that clearly state what you think about the subject. Avoid statements of like or dislike, if possible. Concentrate on opinions that talk about the effect that the person or experience had on you.