1. Grunt Stuff Dr. Leo Finkelstein, Jr. EGR 335 Technical Communication for Engineers and Computer Scientists College of Engineering and Computer Science

2. Overview of Topics n Formal Report Requirements n Deliverables and Dates n Common Grammar and Style Errors n Passive Voice

3. Report Requirements n 10 Pages of Substance containing: u Transmittal Letter* u Title Page* u Informative Abstract* u Standard Introduction u Discussion u Summary/Conclusion u Documentation* *doesn’t count in page count

4. What is Substance? n “Material of an essential nature” u Solid, informative, and practical u Has mass and occupies space n Substance includes: u Non-fluff, unpadded discussions u Useful, well-integrated visuals u Proper, fully cited documentation

5. Transmittal Letter n Short, to the point, and SIGNED March 13, 2008 Dear Dr. Finkelstein: The attached document entitled, “Maglev Trains and Superconductors,” fulfills the formal report requirements of EGR 335 for the Winter Quarter 2008. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at student.3@wright.edu, or call (937) 775- 1234. Sincerely, (signature)

6. Informative Abstract n How to write it u Inform reader of the report’s substance u Do not refer to the report title or author u Make it about 250 words in length An intellectual view of piracy includes both its therapeutic effects on the pirate and the economic stimulus it provides the local economy. Pirates derive substantial catharsis from their criminal activity in a way that does not threaten society with violence. Economically, the availability of high quality software at a bargain price stimulates the local sale of computers and contributes to the sales tax base.

7. Standard Introduction n Here’s what to include: u Purpose F What is this paper designed to do? u Problem (or Background) F What is the subject of this paper? How does it fulfill the EGR 335 requirement? Introduce topics and provide needed background u Scope F What is included, and what isn’t, and why?

8. Discussion n This is the heart of your report u State of Art example: F What were the goals of your research? F What was the methodology employed? F What were the findings and results? F What are your interpretations? n Documentation Requirement u Discussion must include source citations

9. Summary n Summarize your research u Make it similar to your abstract F Assuming you did the abstract correctly u Focus on substance F Assumes you have substance n Provide any conclusions u Based on what’s in the discussion F Do not introduce new information here

10. Documentation Requirements n A complete list of references 1. Finkelstein, Leo Jr., “Sample Resume.” Internet: www.cs.wright.edu/~lfinkel, May 20, 1999 2.Finkelstein, Leo Jr., “The QuadFINKEL Experience.” Internet: rec.sports.skate.figure, April 20, 1999. 3. Finkelstein, Leo Jr., “The Ethics of Using the FinkelKICK in Competition.” Black Belt (July 2000), pp. 68-72, 140. n Source citations in the text Because of the kick’s great power, even its inventor says, “This technique should never be used.” (3:69) or (Finkelstein 2000, 69)

11. Example Here’s what the student changed. Is this a paraphrase of Finkelstein? Or is this a quote? My proposed state-of-the-art report will begin with a brief review of workstation ergonomics, followed by a short history of workstation design for computing systems. The report will then focus on the technical aspects of the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard.

12. n It’s a quote with the student’s words added and some of Finkelstein’s words removed. “My proposed state-of-the-art report will begin with a brief review of [workstation ergonomics], followed by a short history of [workstation design for computing systems]. The report will then focus on the technical aspects of the [Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard].” (Finkelstein 2005, 106) “My proposed state-of-the-art report will begin with a brief review of [workstation ergonomics], followed by a short history of [workstation design for computing systems]. The report will then focus on the technical aspects of the [Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard].” (Finkelstein 2005, 106)

13. Deliverable Dates n Formal Report Document u Due Thursday, March 13, 2008 F Due at the beginning of class in class u Late turn-in penalties F < = 24 hours - 1/2 letter grade F > 24 hours - too horrific to fathom n Formal Report Presentation u As scheduled in class F No-show penalty - too horrific to fathom

14. Grammar and Style n Common Errors u Comma splice (CS) F The computer was crashing, the operator was sleeping. u Verb agreement (VB) F Everybody is invited to the demonstration. u Pronoun error (PN) F Everybody must do his part. (agreement) F This is how I look. (reference) u Fragment (FRAG) F Running diagnostics on the CPU that’s a RISC processor.

15. Grammar and Style n Common Errors (continued) u Spelling (SP) F It’s important to know the CPU and it’s capabilities. u Modification (MOD) F Ignorance of social implications is a phenomena among CS students that must be destroyed. u Semicolon (SEMI) F Format a disk as follows ; type format a: /s and hit. u Fused sentence (FS) F The workstation is poorly designed it really sucks.

16. Passive Voice n Active: subject – verb – object u Direct and efficient F “She hit him.” (3 words) n Passive: object – verb – subject* u Indirect and inefficient F “He was hit by her” (5 words) u Can omit the subject (accountability) F “He was hit.” n Key to spotting it u (form of the verb-to-be) + (past participle) n * not really

17. Other grammar problems n She smells good. n She smells well. n He is good. n He is well. n I am looking for any teacher who will give me a passing grade.

18. Summary of Topics Covered n Formal Report Requirements n Deliverables and Dates n Common Grammar and Style Errors n Passive Voice

19. Grunt Stuff Dr. Leo Finkelstein, Jr. EGR 335 Technical Communication for Engineers and Computer Scientists College of Engineering and Computer Science