1 Technical Report Writing  Purpose of Report Writing  Structure of Report Writing  Layout of Report Writing

2 Purpose of Report Writing  A technical report is a set of coherent information on a subject matter transmitted to a group of people.  A report should be easy to read and it has verifiable facts.  Your report contains applicable information and is not a historical repository.

3 Purpose of Report Writing  The experimental report enhances the readers knowledge and interests.  Render the accuracy and reliability of the measurements in your experiment and be able to link it to the related theory.  Be able to demonstrate the order and coherence in your experiment results.

4 Structure of Report Writing  The cover page – Title, Author, Date, and Class Name.  Experiment Objective – Explain the experiment purpose and reveal the heart of the matter.  Experiment Description – Describe the important aspects of the experiment.

5 Structure of Report Writing  Equipment and the materials used in the experiment.  Team members name and their roles.  Experiment Results – Make note of your observations, and unexpected experimental behavior.

6 Structure of Report Writing  Sequence your results that can be used in a table or graph. Indicate the accuracy of the result.  Take some images of the experiment and include them in your writing with clear marking.

7 Structure of Report Writing  Calculation – Include the calculation and indicate the accuracy.  Extract pertinent information from your graphs or tables.  Indicate the type of theory used in the calculation.

8 Structure of Report Writing  Results – Indicate any discussion concerning your results and draw a logical meaning and some relevance that may impact the conclusion.  Compare your results with theories used to guide your experiment.  List your symbols, graphs, and tables.

9 Structure of Report Writing  Appendices – Put your extra graphs, tables, pictures, computer prints-out, formulas derivations, process and data sheets, and some details work in the appendices.

10 Layout of Report Writing  Basic Layout – Each chapter starts with a new page, title, and chapter number.  Margins – Use standard margins.  Graphs & Tables – Put their explanation under them.

11 Layout of Report Writing  Paragraph – Arrange and organize your information in logical paragraph.  Numbering – Use the enumerated decimal numbers to number sections of your write-up.  Formula – All formula should have numbers with reference to their chapters. For example,

12 Layout of Report Writing  Tables – Each table has a number and if many tables appear in a chapter, use the decimal numbering.  Figures – Any non-text materials are figures and should be numbered. All the figures have concise and short information.  Figures should be close to the related text information.

13 Layout of Report Writing  Appendices – Include appendices at the end of the report but give a reference in the table of content.  Tables – Put above or under the table a brief description.  Tables – Use a vertical table to make it easier to read. Use the repeated information in the table headings.

14 Layout of Report Writing  Graphs – Have a Title, Axes name, Legends, and Units for the graph. The graph numbering is either with an integer or decimal value and is placed under the graph.  Lines – Use smooth lines to plot your graph. Use different line colors for comparison or repeating the same experiment with different methods.

15 Layout of Report Writing  Literature List – Cite the author initial, last name and a number in the [ ] for your reading research. For example, “Catapult is used to kill the Demon by [Dan R. Brwon 10].”  Page Number – Indicate the page number of the book that you obtained the information.

16 Layout of Report Writing  Books – Author full name, title, year published, volume number, list the first and last pages, and edition.  Journal articles – Authors, Article title, Place, Name of the journal, Number, Year, Volume number, First and Last page of the article are quoted in between brackets.

17 Have Fun With Report Writing.