Incident ReportsIncident Reports

What is an incident report?

A report on unusual incident or occurrence, usually an accident:

a surprise inspection a classroom disruption (also called a referral) a collision of skateboarders an alien landing

A form of narrative writing written to explain one’s point of view and

understanding of the incident the writer reflects on his/her experience

Who reads them? (Audience) Why write one? (Purpose)

Parents Supervisors Judges Lawyers Teachers

Each read incident reports for a variety of reasons

Are written to record an incident or accident for future evaluation

Parts of an Incident Report

1. Summary First paragraph Summarizes incident and tells when it took place

2. Description “Body” paragraphs Provides more details Answers: Who? What? When? Where? Why? Reads like a narrative; covers the incident from

very beginning to very end.

Parts of an Incident Report (cont’d)

3. Outcome Not a conclusion Tells what happened as a result of the incident. May repeat part of the Description.

4. Conclusion Final paragraph Tells what has been learned as a result of this

experience Tells what will help prevent another similar incident

Incident of Injury at Tiny Tot Day Care

SummaryOn July 13, 1992, David Smith was bitten by another child at Tiny Tot Day Car. Miss Holland cleaned the wound, and there was no permanent damage. Mrs. Olsen informed both parents of the incident. The report was filed in the permanent records of both children.

DescriptionOn July 13, 1992, Miss Holland and Mrs. Olsen were supervising a group of 10 children on the playground. At 10:15 a.m., David cried out loudly and ran to Miss Holland. David cried hard enough to give himself hiccups. With tears in his eyes, he showed his arm to Miss Holland. Miss Holland comforted David by picking him up in her arms and holding him. Miss Holland then took David inside to wash the would caused by the bite.

While inside, David told Miss Holland who had bitten him. Apparently the other child wanted the wagon David was using. The other child grabbed David and then bit him on the upper right arm. There was no blood, but the skin was slightly broken. The area was cleaned with soap and water and then dried.

David returned to the playground but stayed away from the child who had bitten him. Mrs. Olsen and Miss Holland talked to the other child about how much it hurts to be bitten and what he is allowed to bite.

OutcomeNo permanent damage was done to David’s arm. Incident reports were filed in the permanent records of both children. Parents of both children were informed of the incident.

ConclusionIn the future, both children will be watched more closely. Since biting is a common problem with this age group, it is important to know 1) which children are under stress and therefore more likely to bite and 2) indirect guidance techniques to help eliminate such aggressive behavior.

Sample Incident Report:

Your AssignmentUsing information from Macbeth, write an incident report based on an incident that occurs in Act II of the play.

SUMMARY•First paragraph summarizes the incident and tells when it took place •(4-5 sentences)DESCRIPTION•Provides more details•Answers the major questions: who, what, when, where, why •Reads like a story and covers the incident from the very beginning to the end•(12-15 sentences)OUTCOMES•Tells what happened as a result of the incident•May repeat part of what was stated in the Description •(3-4 sentences)•CONCLUSION•Tells what has been learned as a result of this experience and what will help prevent another similar accident •(2-3 sentences)