A non-chronological report is a piece of writing that is not in chronological order. They are often nonfiction works that provide information on a subject or event without reference to the sequence in which events occur. Non-chronological reports should generally address a particular topic or theme. They may be divided into sections called "articles," which include more than one item, or "chapters." Each article or chapter is written as if it were a separate document that can stand alone from the rest of the report. Non-chronological reports are used when you want to give an overview of a subject, rather than go into detail about each point. These reports are useful for introducing a topic or series of topics, and for giving a general perspective on them. Because they are not ordered by date, the writer has freedom over where to place these articles. They can be added at any time before sending off the report. Non-chronological reports are different from "discontinuous" reports, which cover a single topic with multiple chapters. Discontinuous reports are most commonly found in academic work, such as essays and books. They allow the author to discuss various points within the topic, rather than having to cover everything all at once. Discontinuous reports are divided into segments called "sections," which resemble chapters but have no predetermined placement within the text.