1. Technical Report Writing Laboratory report
by Dr Mukhzeer Mohamad Shahimin

2. What we will cover? Introduction to technical report writing Abstract
Graphics
Functional description
Grammar
Conclusion

3. Output
By the end of my series of lecture, you will need to produce a technical laboratory report. Project: In group of 5 or 6, build a bridge from paper and sellotape. The aim is to produce the longest, lightest, most innovative bridge that can withstand the heaviest load. Winner will be treated Recipe

4. Deadlines
3rd April 2012 – Submit group name and member list to Identify leader, secretary etc. 16th April 2012 – Write-up on introduction of your project, what kind of bridge and why, strategies in making the bridge 23rd April 2012 – Methodology of building the bridge. Graphics and step-by-step procedures

5. Deadlines
30th April 2012 – Testing of the bridge 7th May 2012 – Failure/success analysis and submission of report

6. Samples of bridges
Girder/truss bridge

7. Samples of bridges
Arch bridge

8. Samples of bridges
Cable stayed bridge

9. Samples of bridges
Rigid frame bridge

10. Samples of bridges
Suspension bridge

11. Technical Report Writing Abstract
by Dr Mukhzeer Mohamad Shahimin

12. What is Abstract?
An abstract is a brief summary of a research article, thesis, review, conference proceeding or any in-depth analysis of a particular subject or discipline, and is often used to help the reader quickly ascertain the paper's purpose.

13. What is Abstract?
An abstract is a summary of points (as of a writing) usually presented in skeletal form; also : something that summarises or concentrates the essentials of a larger thing or several things [Merriam-Webster Dictionary]

14. What is Abstract?
An abstract act as a face to your technical report

15. What is Abstract?
Why equate abstract to a face?

16. What is Abstract?
It acts as a first impression

23. WhyAbstract?
An abstract shows How good you are Your effort Your contribution Your intelligence

24. How to write a good abstract?

25. But wait, why only good? Not perfect?

26. Because perfect comes with experience

27. How to write a good abstract?

28. Abstract (Executive summary)
In front of most all technical reports is a special summary; which can be abstract or executive summary
Abstract usually shorter than executive summary

29. Abstract (Executive summary)
Types of abstract:
Descriptive
Summarise structure not substance
Refer to title, brief purpose, problem and scope
Typically 50 words
Informative (complete)
Summarise both substance and structure
Condensed discussion on key imformations
Typically words

30. Abstract (Executive summary)
Normally for large technical reports
Extended, stand-alone
Complete – substance and structure
Often substitute the full report
Rule of thumb: usually 10% length of full report

31. An abstract should answer the following questions: 1) Original purpose
Why do you do this project? What are you trying to solve?

32. An abstract should answer the following questions: 2) Evaluate how much the report contributes in solving the problem
Limitations? Assumptions?

33. An abstract should answer the following questions: 3) What is your results? Implications?

34. Example from IEEE SCOReD2010 paper

35. Example from IEEE SCOReD2010 paper