What is a major difference between an essay and a technical report?

The distinction between an essay and a technical report primarily revolves around the intended audience and the nature of the content presented. In this context, the observation that very few readers will read the complete report is insightful because technical reports are often dense, filled with specialized information that readers may only skim or refer to specific sections based on their needs. This contrasts with essays, which are generally more narrative and engaging, drawing readers into the entire argument or exposition.

Technical reports are typically targeted at a specific audience that is looking for precise information, data analysis, or results, meaning that they may extract only the information relevant to their interests, thus leading to less comprehensive reading of the entire document. This selective reading behavior is a key characteristic of technical writing that sets it apart from essays, where the narrative flow is designed to be followed from start to finish.

This foundational understanding clarifies why the proper answer accurately represents a significant difference between these two forms of writing. The other options touch on aspects that are less central to the core purpose and structure of the two forms, making them less relevant to this specific comparison.