Written Report Guidelines
Q1. What
is a report and how do you write it?
A report is a short, sharp, concise document
which is written for a particular purpose and audience. It generally sets outs
and analyses a situation or problem, often making recommendations for future
action. Essays, reports, presentations and research papers are just some
examples of documents written in
the academic style. Academic writing, when used appropriately,
presents a polished and professional image.
Q2. What
are the five elements of report writing?
A report typically has four elements:
Executive Summary: a brief section that about the
whole report. Usually written after completing the report.
Introduction: Provide a context for the report and
outline the structure of the contents. ...
Body: Data
analysis and facts and figures we observe about a particular topic
Conclusion: Bring together the various elements of
the report in a clear and concise manner.
Q3. What
are the objectives of writing a report?
Objective writing is writing that you can
verify through evidence and facts. If you're writing objectively, you
must remain as neutral as possible through the use of facts, statistics, and
research.
Q4. What
are the Different Types of Reports?
While the basics of any report are the same, there are
notable differences between academic, business, and technical reports. Types of reports include
memos, minutes, lab reports, book reports,
progress reports, justification reports, compliance reports,
annual reports, and policies and procedures.
Academic Writing: The first thing to note is
that academic writing is
extremely formal. Typically, it should be free of contractions and any
sort of slang. It's also important, generally, to write in the third
person, eliminating pronouns like "I" and "we."
Business Writing: Business writing will
also take on a formal tone. However, it's allowed to be slightly
less buttoned up. The goal in a business report is to present new initiatives
and "get things done." Here, things like contractions would be
permissible, along with ample imagery and data.
Technical Writing: Technical reports focus
on how to do something. While an academic or even a business report will
attempt to prove something, a technical report is more descriptive in
nature. Also, the report writing format for students and professionals
may cite facts and statistics to make their case, but technical
reports are more likely to follow a logical, step-by-step approach.
Q5.
What are The Fundamental Principles of Report Writing?
The purpose of a report in an academic setting is to
communicate. Reports can be written in any field about any subject, from
science experiments to mathematical proofs to analyses of literary works.
Be Relevant
The subject of your report should be timely and relevant to
your field. Thoroughly research the existing literature about your topic, and
clearly define the problem your report will address. In your introduction,
discuss why your topic is relevant.
Organize Logically
A report must be organized in a logical and formulaic
format. The introduction of your report must state the problem you
are addressing and your explanation of the need for the report. The methods section
of your report must articulate what you did and how you did it. The methods
section must be clear enough for anyone else to follow your steps.
Report Accurately
A report must be well researched and contain factual
information. If your findings are not what you expected, you must discuss the
difference in the report. Never skew data -- your findings -- or try to fit the
data to match what you originally thought. A report should be objective and
accurate.
Summarize Succintly
While your introduction should include a thorough
explanation of the topic and the reason why your report is important, you may
also include a brief description of your findings. This summary should only be
a general statement, without any detail or explanation.
Extra links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j47c5-Ov2KY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHTEVC0hqms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bPf0potDQY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knds2j0Qcfo
Written
Report Guidelines
The
written report should have the following sections:
(1). Title pageWritten Report Guidelines
The written report should have the
following sections:
(1). Title page
(2). Abstract
(3). Introduction
(4). Materials and Methods
(5). Results
(6). Discussion
(7). Conclusions
(8). References
Description of the content of each
of these sections follows. Additional remarks on report preparation and writing
style are given at the end.
Title page:
The TITLE PAGE identifies
The full name of the project
The course (ChE E 3810)
The name of the principal author
(write NONE if a principal author was not used)
The names of the other group members
The group number
Abstract:
The ABSTRACT is not a part of the
body of the report itself. Rather, the abstract is a brief summary of the
report contents that is often separately circulated so potential readers can
decide whether to read the report. The abstract should very concisely summarize
the whole report: why it was written, what was discovered or developed, and
what is claimed to be the significance of the effort. The abstract does not
include figures or tables, and only the most significant numerical values or
results should be given.
Introduction:
The INTRODUCTION should provide a
clear statement of the problem posed by the project, and why the problem is of
interest. It should reflect the scenario, if available. If needed, the
introduction also needs to present background information so that the reader
can understand the significance of the problem. A brief summary of the unique
approach your group used to solve the problem should be given, possibly also
including a concise introduction to theory or concepts used later to analyze
and to discuss the results.
Materials and Methods:
The purpose of the MATERIALS AND
METHODS section is to describe the materials, apparatus, and procedures used to
carry out the measurements. Most importantly, the section needs to provide a
clear presentation of how key measurements were obtained and how the
measurements were analyzed. This is where the particular approach followed to
reach the project's objectives should be described. The detail should be
sufficient so that the reader can easily understand what was done. An accurate,
schematic diagram depicting the apparatus should be included and referred to in
the text as needed (if a diagram has been already provided it can be used in
the report, provided that the source is properly referenced). To improve
clarity of presentation, this section may be further divided into subsections
(ex. a Materials subsection, an Apparatus subsection, a Methods or Procedures
subsection, etc.).
Results:
The RESULTS section is dedicated to
presenting the actual results (i.e. measured and calculated quantities), not to
discussing their meaning or intepretation. The results should be summarized
using appropriate Tables and Figures (graphs or schematics). Every Figure and
Table should have a legend that describes concisely what is contained or shown.
Figure legends go below the figure, table legends above the table. Throughout
the report, but especially in this section, pay attention to reporting numbers
with an appropriate number of significant figures. A formal error analysis
(such as, perhaps, was done in Physics lab) is not necessary. Still, features
of the data-taking and processing that may have especially contributed to
errors should be pointed out. One classical example is the taking of small
differences between large numbers; for instance, 11.5+0.2 - 10.8+ 0.3 yields a
very large fractional error (about 70 %) on the resulting difference, 0.7+0.5.
Another procedure that usually increases error is numerical differentiation.
Discussion:
The DISCUSSION interprets the
results in light of the project's objectives. The most important goal of the
DISCUSSION section is to interpret the results so that the reader is informed
of the insight or answers that the results provide. The DISCUSSION should also
present an evaluation of the particular approach taken by the group. For
example: Based on the results, how could the experimental procedure be
improved? What additional, future work may be warranted? What recommendations
can be drawn?
Conclusions:
The CONCLUSIONS should summarize the
central points made in the Discussion section, reinforcing for the reader the
value and implications of the work. If the results were not definitive,
specific future work that may be needed can be (briefly) described. The
conclusions should never contain "surprises". Therefore, any
conclusions should be based on observations and data already discussed. It is
considered extremely bad form to introduce new data in the conclusions.
References:
The REFERENCES section should
contain complete citations following standard form. The form of the citation
depends on the type of source being referenced, and is different for whole
books, chapters in books, and articles published in a journal. One good format
to follow is that used in the Chemical Engineering Progress journal, published
by AIChE. The references should be numbered and listed in the order they were
cited in the body of the report. In the text of the report, a particular
reference can be cited by using a numerical superscript that corresponds to its
number in the reference list. If a reference has not been actually consulted,
it should be listed "as discussed in [name of the work that discussed the
reference]".
Additional Remarks:
Writing Style
Reports should be as long as they
need to be -- no longer. Brevity is desirable, provided the necessary
information is properly communicated. Some suggestions: Avoid reproducing
standard information, for example, calibration curves. Avoid appendices unless there
is a specific reason for them. Consider each sentence - does it meaningfully
contribute to the report?
The reports should consider the
background of the fictitious person described in the project scenario. The
quality of the report can suffer both from overly detailed as well as too
incomplete descriptions.
Only the title page, the abstract,
the introduction, and the references should start on a separate page; the other
sections should not. However, a heading needs to indicate the beginning of each
section. Sub-headings within sections can be an excellent way to further
organize the report.
While scientific writing does not
have to be elegant, it must be precise. To state "The data were plotted
and seemed to agree with the theory." is not precise. To state that
"The pressure drop across the column in inches of water was plotted on
log-log coordinates as a function of air flow rate in cubic feet per minute.
The plot, shown in Figure 3, was close to linear and the slope of the best
straight line, 1.92, was close to 2, as predicted by theory." is precise.
Also, whenever possible, phrases such as "small", "large",
"greater than", should be used in conjuction with the actual numbers.
A table or figure should never be
inserted into the report without first referring to that table or figure in the
text. Reference to a figure should include a brief description of what it
contains and what it contributes to the point under consideration. Figures and
tables should be merged into the text or placed on a separate page immediately
following the first page on which they are mentioned; they should not be collected
at the end of the report.
References must be numbered in the
order that they are cited. It is good practice to attribute and acknowledge.
The first of these protects against charges of plagiarism. The second gains
friends and shows a generous nature.
A suitable font is Times Roman, 12
pt.
A uniform verb tense should be used
throughout the report, preferably past tense.
The imperative mood, i.e. as if
giving directions or orders, should not be used. The purpose is to state what
was done, not to tell other people what to do.
Since the reports are formal, the
first person (singular "I" or plural "We") should not be
used.
Sentences should not start with
"It" unless the object that "It" refers to is absolutely
clear from the context.
All text should be double-spaced to
allow room for comments.
All pages, including figure pages,
should be numbered consecutively.
Overly long sentences should be
avoided. Two or more short sentences should be used instead.
An excellent way to improve style
and grammar is to have others proofread the report.
Needlessly fancy presentation (bold,
italic, or underlined fonts; color in text or figures) should be avoided unless
it truly enhances the clarity of the report.
Figures
Figures are categorized as either
graphs or drawings. Graphs should follow engineering standards, not Excel
defaults. Backgrounds should be white, not shaded. Style should be similar to
that found in standard engineering textbooks. Grids should be appropriate to
what the reader is likely to extract from the figure. Type sizes for
coordinates and legends should be appropriate: not too small, not too large. A
sans-serif (e.g. Arial) font works well for figure legends and coordinate
labels. All legends should be within the graph area, not beside it. Line
thickness should be sufficient to provide for good visibility, but not heavier
than necessary.
Figures (drawings, schematics)
should be kept simple. Fancy art work and three-dimensional renditions can be
distracting if used indiscriminately. Below every figure or graph should be a
caption that concisely describes what is shown. Figures and graphs should be
numbered consecutively.
Tables
Tables should be well organized,
with unshaded backgrounds. A table should not include columns that have all
entries identical. As with Figures, a standard engineering textbook can be used
as a guide to good table composition. Tables should be numbered consecutively,
and above each table should be a caption describing the table contents.
Some Common Abbreviations Used in
Marking
NC = not clear
RW = rewrite
SP = be specific, avoid generalities
RT = rethink, logic appears flawed
or missing
curly brackets = grader's comments
Underline = see comments above
underlined text
Check mark = good
Check mark with one or more slashes
or pluses = very good to excellent
(2). Abstract
(3). Introduction
(4). Materials and Methods
(5). Results
(6). DiscussionWritten
Report Guidelines
The written report should have the
following sections:
(1). Title page
(2). Abstract
(3). Introduction
(4). Materials and Methods
(5). Results
(6). Discussion
(7). Conclusions
(8). References
Description of the content of each
of these sections follows. Additional remarks on report preparation and writing
style are given at the end.
Title page:
The TITLE PAGE identifies
The full name of the project
The course (ChE E 3810)
The name of the principal author
(write NONE if a principal author was not used)
The names of the other group members
The group number
Abstract:
The ABSTRACT is not a part of the
body of the report itself. Rather, the abstract is a brief summary of the
report contents that is often separately circulated so potential readers can
decide whether to read the report. The abstract should very concisely summarize
the whole report: why it was written, what was discovered or developed, and
what is claimed to be the significance of the effort. The abstract does not
include figures or tables, and only the most significant numerical values or
results should be given.
Introduction:
The INTRODUCTION should provide a
clear statement of the problem posed by the project, and why the problem is of
interest. It should reflect the scenario, if available. If needed, the
introduction also needs to present background information so that the reader
can understand the significance of the problem. A brief summary of the unique
approach your group used to solve the problem should be given, possibly also
including a concise introduction to theory or concepts used later to analyze
and to discuss the results.
Materials and Methods:
The purpose of the MATERIALS AND
METHODS section is to describe the materials, apparatus, and procedures used to
carry out the measurements. Most importantly, the section needs to provide a
clear presentation of how key measurements were obtained and how the
measurements were analyzed. This is where the particular approach followed to
reach the project's objectives should be described. The detail should be
sufficient so that the reader can easily understand what was done. An accurate,
schematic diagram depicting the apparatus should be included and referred to in
the text as needed (if a diagram has been already provided it can be used in
the report, provided that the source is properly referenced). To improve
clarity of presentation, this section may be further divided into subsections
(ex. a Materials subsection, an Apparatus subsection, a Methods or Procedures
subsection, etc.).
Results:
The RESULTS section is dedicated to
presenting the actual results (i.e. measured and calculated quantities), not to
discussing their meaning or intepretation. The results should be summarized
using appropriate Tables and Figures (graphs or schematics). Every Figure and
Table should have a legend that describes concisely what is contained or shown.
Figure legends go below the figure, table legends above the table. Throughout
the report, but especially in this section, pay attention to reporting numbers
with an appropriate number of significant figures. A formal error analysis
(such as, perhaps, was done in Physics lab) is not necessary. Still, features
of the data-taking and processing that may have especially contributed to
errors should be pointed out. One classical example is the taking of small
differences between large numbers; for instance, 11.5+0.2 - 10.8+ 0.3 yields a
very large fractional error (about 70 %) on the resulting difference, 0.7+0.5.
Another procedure that usually increases error is numerical differentiation.
Discussion:
The DISCUSSION interprets the
results in light of the project's objectives. The most important goal of the
DISCUSSION section is to interpret the results so that the reader is informed
of the insight or answers that the results provide. The DISCUSSION should also
present an evaluation of the particular approach taken by the group. For
example: Based on the results, how could the experimental procedure be
improved? What additional, future work may be warranted? What recommendations
can be drawn?
Conclusions:
The CONCLUSIONS should summarize the
central points made in the Discussion section, reinforcing for the reader the
value and implications of the work. If the results were not definitive,
specific future work that may be needed can be (briefly) described. The
conclusions should never contain "surprises". Therefore, any
conclusions should be based on observations and data already discussed. It is
considered extremely bad form to introduce new data in the conclusions.
References:
The REFERENCES section should
contain complete citations following standard form. The form of the citation
depends on the type of source being referenced, and is different for whole
books, chapters in books, and articles published in a journal. One good format
to follow is that used in the Chemical Engineering Progress journal, published
by AIChE. The references should be numbered and listed in the order they were
cited in the body of the report. In the text of the report, a particular
reference can be cited by using a numerical superscript that corresponds to its
number in the reference list. If a reference has not been actually consulted,
it should be listed "as discussed in [name of the work that discussed the
reference]".
Additional Remarks:
Writing Style
Reports should be as long as they
need to be -- no longer. Brevity is desirable, provided the necessary
information is properly communicated. Some suggestions: Avoid reproducing
standard information, for example, calibration curves. Avoid appendices unless
there is a specific reason for them. Consider each sentence - does it
meaningfully contribute to the report?
The reports should consider the
background of the fictitious person described in the project scenario. The
quality of the report can suffer both from overly detailed as well as too
incomplete descriptions.
Only the title page, the abstract,
the introduction, and the references should start on a separate page; the other
sections should not. However, a heading needs to indicate the beginning of each
section. Sub-headings within sections can be an excellent way to further
organize the report.
While scientific writing does not
have to be elegant, it must be precise. To state "The data were plotted
and seemed to agree with the theory." is not precise. To state that
"The pressure drop across the column in inches of water was plotted on
log-log coordinates as a function of air flow rate in cubic feet per minute.
The plot, shown in Figure 3, was close to linear and the slope of the best
straight line, 1.92, was close to 2, as predicted by theory." is precise.
Also, whenever possible, phrases such as "small", "large",
"greater than", should be used in conjuction with the actual numbers.
A table or figure should never be
inserted into the report without first referring to that table or figure in the
text. Reference to a figure should include a brief description of what it
contains and what it contributes to the point under consideration. Figures and
tables should be merged into the text or placed on a separate page immediately
following the first page on which they are mentioned; they should not be
collected at the end of the report.
References must be numbered in the
order that they are cited. It is good practice to attribute and acknowledge.
The first of these protects against charges of plagiarism. The second gains
friends and shows a generous nature.
A suitable font is Times Roman, 12
pt.
A uniform verb tense should be used
throughout the report, preferably past tense.
The imperative mood, i.e. as if
giving directions or orders, should not be used. The purpose is to state what
was done, not to tell other people what to do.
Since the reports are formal, the
first person (singular "I" or plural "We") should not be
used.
Sentences should not start with
"It" unless the object that "It" refers to is absolutely
clear from the context.
All text should be double-spaced to
allow room for comments.
All pages, including figure pages,
should be numbered consecutively.
Overly long sentences should be avoided.
Two or more short sentences should be used instead.
An excellent way to improve style
and grammar is to have others proofread the report.
Needlessly fancy presentation (bold,
italic, or underlined fonts; color in text or figures) should be avoided unless
it truly enhances the clarity of the report.
Figures
Figures are categorized as either
graphs or drawings. Graphs should follow engineering standards, not Excel
defaults. Backgrounds should be white, not shaded. Style should be similar to
that found in standard engineering textbooks. Grids should be appropriate to
what the reader is likely to extract from the figure. Type sizes for
coordinates and legends should be appropriate: not too small, not too large. A
sans-serif (e.g. Arial) font works well for figure legends and coordinate
labels. All legends should be within the graph area, not beside it. Line
thickness should be sufficient to provide for good visibility, but not heavier
than necessary.
Figures (drawings, schematics)
should be kept simple. Fancy art work and three-dimensional renditions can be
distracting if used indiscriminately. Below every figure or graph should be a
caption that concisely describes what is shown. Figures and graphs should be
numbered consecutively.
Tables
Tables should be well organized,
with unshaded backgrounds. A table should not include columns that have all
entries identical. As with Figures, a standard engineering textbook can be used
as a guide to good table composition. Tables should be numbered consecutively,
and above each table should be a caption describing the table contents.
Some Common Abbreviations Used in
Marking
NC = not clear
RW = rewrite
SP = be specific, avoid generalities
RT = rethink, logic appears flawed
or missing
curly brackets = grader's comments
Underline = see comments above
underlined text
Check mark = good
Check mark with one or more slashes
or pluses = very good to excellent
(7). ConclusionsWritten
Report Guidelines
The written report should have the
following sections:
(1). Title page
(2). Abstract
(3). Introduction
(4). Materials and Methods
(5). Results
(6). Discussion
(7). Conclusions
(8). References
Description of the content of each
of these sections follows. Additional remarks on report preparation and writing
style are given at the end.
Title page:
The TITLE PAGE identifies
The full name of the project
The course (ChE E 3810)
The name of the principal author
(write NONE if a principal author was not used)
The names of the other group members
The group number
Abstract:
The ABSTRACT is not a part of the
body of the report itself. Rather, the abstract is a brief summary of the
report contents that is often separately circulated so potential readers can
decide whether to read the report. The abstract should very concisely summarize
the whole report: why it was written, what was discovered or developed, and
what is claimed to be the significance of the effort. The abstract does not
include figures or tables, and only the most significant numerical values or
results should be given.
Introduction:
The INTRODUCTION should provide a
clear statement of the problem posed by the project, and why the problem is of
interest. It should reflect the scenario, if available. If needed, the
introduction also needs to present background information so that the reader
can understand the significance of the problem. A brief summary of the unique
approach your group used to solve the problem should be given, possibly also
including a concise introduction to theory or concepts used later to analyze
and to discuss the results.
Materials and Methods:
The purpose of the MATERIALS AND
METHODS section is to describe the materials, apparatus, and procedures used to
carry out the measurements. Most importantly, the section needs to provide a
clear presentation of how key measurements were obtained and how the
measurements were analyzed. This is where the particular approach followed to
reach the project's objectives should be described. The detail should be
sufficient so that the reader can easily understand what was done. An accurate,
schematic diagram depicting the apparatus should be included and referred to in
the text as needed (if a diagram has been already provided it can be used in
the report, provided that the source is properly referenced). To improve
clarity of presentation, this section may be further divided into subsections
(ex. a Materials subsection, an Apparatus subsection, a Methods or Procedures
subsection, etc.).
Results:
The RESULTS section is dedicated to
presenting the actual results (i.e. measured and calculated quantities), not to
discussing their meaning or intepretation. The results should be summarized
using appropriate Tables and Figures (graphs or schematics). Every Figure and
Table should have a legend that describes concisely what is contained or shown.
Figure legends go below the figure, table legends above the table. Throughout
the report, but especially in this section, pay attention to reporting numbers
with an appropriate number of significant figures. A formal error analysis
(such as, perhaps, was done in Physics lab) is not necessary. Still, features
of the data-taking and processing that may have especially contributed to
errors should be pointed out. One classical example is the taking of small
differences between large numbers; for instance, 11.5+0.2 - 10.8+ 0.3 yields a
very large fractional error (about 70 %) on the resulting difference, 0.7+0.5.
Another procedure that usually increases error is numerical differentiation.
Discussion:
The DISCUSSION interprets the
results in light of the project's objectives. The most important goal of the
DISCUSSION section is to interpret the results so that the reader is informed
of the insight or answers that the results provide. The DISCUSSION should also
present an evaluation of the particular approach taken by the group. For
example: Based on the results, how could the experimental procedure be
improved? What additional, future work may be warranted? What recommendations
can be drawn?
Conclusions:
The CONCLUSIONS should summarize the
central points made in the Discussion section, reinforcing for the reader the
value and implications of the work. If the results were not definitive,
specific future work that may be needed can be (briefly) described. The
conclusions should never contain "surprises". Therefore, any
conclusions should be based on observations and data already discussed. It is
considered extremely bad form to introduce new data in the conclusions.
References:
The REFERENCES section should
contain complete citations following standard form. The form of the citation
depends on the type of source being referenced, and is different for whole
books, chapters in books, and articles published in a journal. One good format
to follow is that used in the Chemical Engineering Progress journal, published
by AIChE. The references should be numbered and listed in the order they were
cited in the body of the report. In the text of the report, a particular
reference can be cited by using a numerical superscript that corresponds to its
number in the reference list. If a reference has not been actually consulted,
it should be listed "as discussed in [name of the work that discussed the
reference]".
Additional Remarks:
Writing Style
Reports should be as long as they
need to be -- no longer. Brevity is desirable, provided the necessary
information is properly communicated. Some suggestions: Avoid reproducing
standard information, for example, calibration curves. Avoid appendices unless
there is a specific reason for them. Consider each sentence - does it
meaningfully contribute to the report?
The reports should consider the
background of the fictitious person described in the project scenario. The
quality of the report can suffer both from overly detailed as well as too
incomplete descriptions.
Only the title page, the abstract,
the introduction, and the references should start on a separate page; the other
sections should not. However, a heading needs to indicate the beginning of each
section. Sub-headings within sections can be an excellent way to further
organize the report.
While scientific writing does not
have to be elegant, it must be precise. To state "The data were plotted
and seemed to agree with the theory." is not precise. To state that
"The pressure drop across the column in inches of water was plotted on
log-log coordinates as a function of air flow rate in cubic feet per minute.
The plot, shown in Figure 3, was close to linear and the slope of the best
straight line, 1.92, was close to 2, as predicted by theory." is precise.
Also, whenever possible, phrases such as "small", "large",
"greater than", should be used in conjuction with the actual numbers.
A table or figure should never be
inserted into the report without first referring to that table or figure in the
text. Reference to a figure should include a brief description of what it
contains and what it contributes to the point under consideration. Figures and
tables should be merged into the text or placed on a separate page immediately
following the first page on which they are mentioned; they should not be
collected at the end of the report.
References must be numbered in the
order that they are cited. It is good practice to attribute and acknowledge.
The first of these protects against charges of plagiarism. The second gains
friends and shows a generous nature.
A suitable font is Times Roman, 12
pt.
A uniform verb tense should be used
throughout the report, preferably past tense.
The imperative mood, i.e. as if
giving directions or orders, should not be used. The purpose is to state what
was done, not to tell other people what to do.
Since the reports are formal, the
first person (singular "I" or plural "We") should not be
used.
Sentences should not start with
"It" unless the object that "It" refers to is absolutely
clear from the context.
All text should be double-spaced to
allow room for comments.
All pages, including figure pages,
should be numbered consecutively.
Overly long sentences should be
avoided. Two or more short sentences should be used instead.
An excellent way to improve style
and grammar is to have others proofread the report.
Needlessly fancy presentation (bold,
italic, or underlined fonts; color in text or figures) should be avoided unless
it truly enhances the clarity of the report.
Figures
Figures are categorized as either
graphs or drawings. Graphs should follow engineering standards, not Excel
defaults. Backgrounds should be white, not shaded. Style should be similar to
that found in standard engineering textbooks. Grids should be appropriate to
what the reader is likely to extract from the figure. Type sizes for
coordinates and legends should be appropriate: not too small, not too large. A
sans-serif (e.g. Arial) font works well for figure legends and coordinate
labels. All legends should be within the graph area, not beside it. Line
thickness should be sufficient to provide for good visibility, but not heavier
than necessary.
Figures (drawings, schematics)
should be kept simple. Fancy art work and three-dimensional renditions can be
distracting if used indiscriminately. Below every figure or graph should be a
caption that concisely describes what is shown. Figures and graphs should be
numbered consecutively.
Tables
Tables should be well organized,
with unshaded backgrounds. A table should not include columns that have all
entries identical. As with Figures, a standard engineering textbook can be used
as a guide to good table composition. Tables should be numbered consecutively,
and above each table should be a caption describing the table contents.
Some Common Abbreviations Used in
Marking
NC = not clear
RW = rewrite
SP = be specific, avoid generalities
RT = rethink, logic appears flawed
or missing
curly brackets = grader's comments
Underline = see comments above
underlined text
Check mark = good
Check mark with one or more slashes
or pluses = very good to excellent
(8). ReferencesWritten
Report Guidelines
The written report should have the
following sections:
(1). Title page
(2). Abstract
(3). Introduction
(4). Materials and Methods
(5). Results
(6). Discussion
(7). Conclusions
(8). References
Description of the content of each
of these sections follows. Additional remarks on report preparation and writing
style are given at the end.
Title page:
The TITLE PAGE identifies
The full name of the project
The course (ChE E 3810)
The name of the principal author
(write NONE if a principal author was not used)
The names of the other group members
The group number
Abstract:
The ABSTRACT is not a part of the
body of the report itself. Rather, the abstract is a brief summary of the
report contents that is often separately circulated so potential readers can
decide whether to read the report. The abstract should very concisely summarize
the whole report: why it was written, what was discovered or developed, and
what is claimed to be the significance of the effort. The abstract does not
include figures or tables, and only the most significant numerical values or
results should be given.
Introduction:
The INTRODUCTION should provide a
clear statement of the problem posed by the project, and why the problem is of
interest. It should reflect the scenario, if available. If needed, the
introduction also needs to present background information so that the reader
can understand the significance of the problem. A brief summary of the unique
approach your group used to solve the problem should be given, possibly also
including a concise introduction to theory or concepts used later to analyze
and to discuss the results.
Materials and Methods:
The purpose of the MATERIALS AND METHODS
section is to describe the materials, apparatus, and procedures used to carry
out the measurements. Most importantly, the section needs to provide a clear
presentation of how key measurements were obtained and how the measurements
were analyzed. This is where the particular approach followed to reach the
project's objectives should be described. The detail should be sufficient so
that the reader can easily understand what was done. An accurate, schematic
diagram depicting the apparatus should be included and referred to in the text
as needed (if a diagram has been already provided it can be used in the report,
provided that the source is properly referenced). To improve clarity of
presentation, this section may be further divided into subsections (ex. a
Materials subsection, an Apparatus subsection, a Methods or Procedures
subsection, etc.).
Results:
The RESULTS section is dedicated to
presenting the actual results (i.e. measured and calculated quantities), not to
discussing their meaning or intepretation. The results should be summarized
using appropriate Tables and Figures (graphs or schematics). Every Figure and
Table should have a legend that describes concisely what is contained or shown.
Figure legends go below the figure, table legends above the table. Throughout
the report, but especially in this section, pay attention to reporting numbers
with an appropriate number of significant figures. A formal error analysis
(such as, perhaps, was done in Physics lab) is not necessary. Still, features of
the data-taking and processing that may have especially contributed to errors
should be pointed out. One classical example is the taking of small differences
between large numbers; for instance, 11.5+0.2 - 10.8+ 0.3 yields a very large
fractional error (about 70 %) on the resulting difference, 0.7+0.5. Another
procedure that usually increases error is numerical differentiation.
Discussion:
The DISCUSSION interprets the
results in light of the project's objectives. The most important goal of the
DISCUSSION section is to interpret the results so that the reader is informed
of the insight or answers that the results provide. The DISCUSSION should also
present an evaluation of the particular approach taken by the group. For
example: Based on the results, how could the experimental procedure be
improved? What additional, future work may be warranted? What recommendations
can be drawn?
Conclusions:
The CONCLUSIONS should summarize the
central points made in the Discussion section, reinforcing for the reader the
value and implications of the work. If the results were not definitive,
specific future work that may be needed can be (briefly) described. The
conclusions should never contain "surprises". Therefore, any
conclusions should be based on observations and data already discussed. It is
considered extremely bad form to introduce new data in the conclusions.
References:
The REFERENCES section should
contain complete citations following standard form. The form of the citation
depends on the type of source being referenced, and is different for whole
books, chapters in books, and articles published in a journal. One good format
to follow is that used in the Chemical Engineering Progress journal, published
by AIChE. The references should be numbered and listed in the order they were
cited in the body of the report. In the text of the report, a particular
reference can be cited by using a numerical superscript that corresponds to its
number in the reference list. If a reference has not been actually consulted,
it should be listed "as discussed in [name of the work that discussed the
reference]".
Additional Remarks:
Writing Style
Reports should be as long as they
need to be -- no longer. Brevity is desirable, provided the necessary
information is properly communicated. Some suggestions: Avoid reproducing
standard information, for example, calibration curves. Avoid appendices unless
there is a specific reason for them. Consider each sentence - does it
meaningfully contribute to the report?
The reports should consider the
background of the fictitious person described in the project scenario. The
quality of the report can suffer both from overly detailed as well as too
incomplete descriptions.
Only the title page, the abstract,
the introduction, and the references should start on a separate page; the other
sections should not. However, a heading needs to indicate the beginning of each
section. Sub-headings within sections can be an excellent way to further
organize the report.
While scientific writing does not
have to be elegant, it must be precise. To state "The data were plotted
and seemed to agree with the theory." is not precise. To state that
"The pressure drop across the column in inches of water was plotted on
log-log coordinates as a function of air flow rate in cubic feet per minute.
The plot, shown in Figure 3, was close to linear and the slope of the best
straight line, 1.92, was close to 2, as predicted by theory." is precise.
Also, whenever possible, phrases such as "small", "large",
"greater than", should be used in conjuction with the actual numbers.
A table or figure should never be
inserted into the report without first referring to that table or figure in the
text. Reference to a figure should include a brief description of what it
contains and what it contributes to the point under consideration. Figures and
tables should be merged into the text or placed on a separate page immediately
following the first page on which they are mentioned; they should not be
collected at the end of the report.
References must be numbered in the
order that they are cited. It is good practice to attribute and acknowledge.
The first of these protects against charges of plagiarism. The second gains
friends and shows a generous nature.
A suitable font is Times Roman, 12
pt.
A uniform verb tense should be used
throughout the report, preferably past tense.
The imperative mood, i.e. as if
giving directions or orders, should not be used. The purpose is to state what
was done, not to tell other people what to do.
Since the reports are formal, the
first person (singular "I" or plural "We") should not be
used.
Sentences should not start with
"It" unless the object that "It" refers to is absolutely
clear from the context.
All text should be double-spaced to
allow room for comments.
All pages, including figure pages,
should be numbered consecutively.
Overly long sentences should be avoided.
Two or more short sentences should be used instead.
An excellent way to improve style
and grammar is to have others proofread the report.
Needlessly fancy presentation (bold,
italic, or underlined fonts; color in text or figures) should be avoided unless
it truly enhances the clarity of the report.
Figures
Figures are categorized as either
graphs or drawings. Graphs should follow engineering standards, not Excel
defaults. Backgrounds should be white, not shaded. Style should be similar to
that found in standard engineering textbooks. Grids should be appropriate to
what the reader is likely to extract from the figure. Type sizes for
coordinates and legends should be appropriate: not too small, not too large. A
sans-serif (e.g. Arial) font works well for figure legends and coordinate
labels. All legends should be within the graph area, not beside it. Line
thickness should be sufficient to provide for good visibility, but not heavier
than necessary.
Figures (drawings, schematics)
should be kept simple. Fancy art work and three-dimensional renditions can be
distracting if used indiscriminately. Below every figure or graph should be a
caption that concisely describes what is shown. Figures and graphs should be
numbered consecutively.
Tables
Tables should be well organized,
with unshaded backgrounds. A table should not include columns that have all
entries identical. As with Figures, a standard engineering textbook can be used
as a guide to good table composition. Tables should be numbered consecutively,
and above each table should be a caption describing the table contents.
Some Common Abbreviations Used in
Marking
NC = not clear
RW = rewrite
SP = be specific, avoid generalities
RT = rethink, logic appears flawed
or missing
curly brackets = grader's comments
Underline = see comments above
underlined text
Check mark = good
Check mark with one or more slashes
or pluses = very good to excellent
Description of the content of each of these sections
follows. Additional remarks on Written Report
Guidelines
The written report should have the following sections:
Written Report Guidelines
The written report should have the following sections:
(1). Title page
(2). Abstract
(3). Introduction
(4). Materials and Methods
(5). Results
(6). Discussion
(7). Conclusions
(8). References
Description of the content of each of these sections
follows. Additional remarks on report preparation and writing style are given
at the end.
Title page:
The TITLE PAGE identifies
The full name of the project
The course (ChE E 3810)
The name of the principal author (write NONE if a principal
author was not used)
The names of the other group members
The group number
Abstract:
The ABSTRACT is not a part of the body of the report itself.
Rather, the abstract is a brief summary of the report contents that is often
separately circulated so potential readers can decide whether to read the
report. The abstract should very concisely summarize the whole report: why it
was written, what was discovered or developed, and what is claimed to be the
significance of the effort. The abstract does not include figures or tables,
and only the most significant numerical values or results should be given.
Introduction:
The INTRODUCTION should provide a clear statement of the
problem posed by the project, and why the problem is of interest. It should
reflect the scenario, if available. If needed, the introduction also needs to
present background information so that the reader can understand the
significance of the problem. A brief summary of the unique approach your group
used to solve the problem should be given, possibly also including a concise
introduction to theory or concepts used later to analyze and to discuss the
results.
Materials and Methods:
The purpose of the MATERIALS AND METHODS section is to
describe the materials, apparatus, and procedures used to carry out the
measurements. Most importantly, the section needs to provide a clear
presentation of how key measurements were obtained and how the measurements
were analyzed. This is where the particular approach followed to reach the
project's objectives should be described. The detail should be sufficient so
that the reader can easily understand what was done. An accurate, schematic
diagram depicting the apparatus should be included and referred to in the text
as needed (if a diagram has been already provided it can be used in the report,
provided that the source is properly referenced). To improve clarity of
presentation, this section may be further divided into subsections (ex. a
Materials subsection, an Apparatus subsection, a Methods or Procedures
subsection, etc.).
Results:
The RESULTS section is dedicated to presenting the actual
results (i.e. measured and calculated quantities), not to discussing their
meaning or intepretation. The results should be summarized using appropriate
Tables and Figures (graphs or schematics). Every Figure and Table should have a
legend that describes concisely what is contained or shown. Figure legends go
below the figure, table legends above the table. Throughout the report, but
especially in this section, pay attention to reporting numbers with an
appropriate number of significant figures. A formal error analysis (such as,
perhaps, was done in Physics lab) is not necessary. Still, features of the
data-taking and processing that may have especially contributed to errors
should be pointed out. One classical example is the taking of small differences
between large numbers; for instance, 11.5+0.2 - 10.8+ 0.3 yields a very large
fractional error (about 70 %) on the resulting difference, 0.7+0.5. Another
procedure that usually increases error is numerical differentiation.
Discussion:
The DISCUSSION interprets the results in light of the
project's objectives. The most important goal of the DISCUSSION section is to
interpret the results so that the reader is informed of the insight or answers
that the results provide. The DISCUSSION should also present an evaluation of
the particular approach taken by the group. For example: Based on the results,
how could the experimental procedure be improved? What additional, future work
may be warranted? What recommendations can be drawn?
Conclusions:
The CONCLUSIONS should summarize the central points made in
the Discussion section, reinforcing for the reader the value and implications
of the work. If the results were not definitive, specific future work that may
be needed can be (briefly) described. The conclusions should never contain
"surprises". Therefore, any conclusions should be based on
observations and data already discussed. It is considered extremely bad form to
introduce new data in the conclusions.
References:
The REFERENCES section should contain complete citations
following standard form. The form of the citation depends on the type of source
being referenced, and is different for whole books, chapters in books, and
articles published in a journal. One good format to follow is that used in the
Chemical Engineering Progress journal, published by AIChE. The references
should be numbered and listed in the order they were cited in the body of the
report. In the text of the report, a particular reference can be cited by using
a numerical superscript that corresponds to its number in the reference list.
If a reference has not been actually consulted, it should be listed "as
discussed in [name of the work that discussed the reference]".
Additional Remarks:
Writing Style
Reports should be as long as they need to be -- no longer.
Brevity is desirable, provided the necessary information is properly
communicated. Some suggestions: Avoid reproducing standard information, for
example, calibration curves. Avoid appendices unless there is a specific reason
for them. Consider each sentence - does it meaningfully contribute to the
report?
The reports should consider the background of the fictitious
person described in the project scenario. The quality of the report can suffer
both from overly detailed as well as too incomplete descriptions.
Only the title page, the abstract, the introduction, and the
references should start on a separate page; the other sections should not.
However, a heading needs to indicate the beginning of each section.
Sub-headings within sections can be an excellent way to further organize the
report.
While scientific writing does not have to be elegant, it
must be precise. To state "The data were plotted and seemed to agree with
the theory." is not precise. To state that "The pressure drop across
the column in inches of water was plotted on log-log coordinates as a function
of air flow rate in cubic feet per minute. The plot, shown in Figure 3, was
close to linear and the slope of the best straight line, 1.92, was close to 2,
as predicted by theory." is precise. Also, whenever possible, phrases such
as "small", "large", "greater than", should be
used in conjuction with the actual numbers.
A table or figure should never be inserted into the report
without first referring to that table or figure in the text. Reference to a
figure should include a brief description of what it contains and what it
contributes to the point under consideration. Figures and tables should be
merged into the text or placed on a separate page immediately following the
first page on which they are mentioned; they should not be collected at the end
of the report.
References must be numbered in the order that they are
cited. It is good practice to attribute and acknowledge. The first of these
protects against charges of plagiarism. The second gains friends and shows a
generous nature.
A suitable font is Times Roman, 12 pt.
A uniform verb tense should be used throughout the report,
preferably past tense.
The imperative mood, i.e. as if giving directions or orders,
should not be used. The purpose is to state what was done, not to tell other
people what to do.
Since the reports are formal, the first person (singular
"I" or plural "We") should not be used.
Sentences should not start with "It" unless the
object that "It" refers to is absolutely clear from the context.
All text should be double-spaced to allow room for comments.
All pages, including figure pages, should be numbered
consecutively.
Overly long sentences should be avoided. Two or more short
sentences should be used instead.
An excellent way to improve style and grammar is to have
others proofread the report.
Needlessly fancy presentation (bold, italic, or underlined
fonts; color in text or figures) should be avoided unless it truly enhances the
clarity of the report.
Figures
Figures are categorized as either graphs or drawings. Graphs
should follow engineering standards, not Excel defaults. Backgrounds should be
white, not shaded. Style should be similar to that found in standard
engineering textbooks. Grids should be appropriate to what the reader is likely
to extract from the figure. Type sizes for coordinates and legends should be
appropriate: not too small, not too large. A sans-serif (e.g. Arial) font works
well for figure legends and coordinate labels. All legends should be within the
graph area, not beside it. Line thickness should be sufficient to provide for
good visibility, but not heavier than necessary.
Figures (drawings, schematics) should be kept simple. Fancy
art work and three-dimensional renditions can be distracting if used
indiscriminately. Below every figure or graph should be a caption that
concisely describes what is shown. Figures and graphs should be numbered
consecutively.
Tables
Tables should be well organized, with unshaded backgrounds.
A table should not include columns that have all entries identical. As with
Figures, a standard engineering textbook can be used as a guide to good table
composition. Tables should be numbered consecutively, and above each table
should be a caption describing the table contents.
Some Common Abbreviations Used in Marking
NC = not clear
RW = rewrite
SP = be specific, avoid generalities
RT = rethink, logic appears flawed or missing
curly brackets = grader's comments
Underline = see comments above underlined text
Check mark = good
Check mark with one or more slashes or pluses = very good to
excellent
(1). Title page
(2). Abstract
(3). Introduction
(4). Materials and Methods
(5). Results
(6). Discussion
(7). Conclusions
(8). References
Description of the content of each of these sections
follows. Additional remarks on report preparation and writing style are given
at the end.
Title page:
The TITLE PAGE identifies
The full name of the project
The course (ChE E 3810)
The name of the principal author (write NONE if a principal
author was not used)
The names of the other group members
The group number
Abstract:
The ABSTRACT is not a part of the body of the report itself.
Rather, the abstract is a brief summary of the report contents that is often
separately circulated so potential readers can decide whether to read the
report. The abstract should very concisely summarize the whole report: why it
was written, what was discovered or developed, and what is claimed to be the
significance of the effort. The abstract does not include figures or tables,
and only the most significant numerical values or results should be given.
Introduction:
The INTRODUCTION should provide a clear statement of the
problem posed by the project, and why the problem is of interest. It should
reflect the scenario, if available. If needed, the introduction also needs to
present background information so that the reader can understand the
significance of the problem. A brief summary of the unique approach your group
used to solve the problem should be given, possibly also including a concise
introduction to theory or concepts used later to analyze and to discuss the
results.
Materials and Methods:
The purpose of the MATERIALS AND METHODS section is to
describe the materials, apparatus, and procedures used to carry out the
measurements. Most importantly, the section needs to provide a clear
presentation of how key measurements were obtained and how the measurements
were analyzed. This is where the particular approach followed to reach the
project's objectives should be described. The detail should be sufficient so
that the reader can easily understand what was done. An accurate, schematic
diagram depicting the apparatus should be included and referred to in the text
as needed (if a diagram has been already provided it can be used in the report,
provided that the source is properly referenced). To improve clarity of
presentation, this section may be further divided into subsections (ex. a
Materials subsection, an Apparatus subsection, a Methods or Procedures
subsection, etc.).
Results:
The RESULTS section is dedicated to presenting the actual
results (i.e. measured and calculated quantities), not to discussing their
meaning or intepretation. The results should be summarized using appropriate
Tables and Figures (graphs or schematics). Every Figure and Table should have a
legend that describes concisely what is contained or shown. Figure legends go
below the figure, table legends above the table. Throughout the report, but
especially in this section, pay attention to reporting numbers with an
appropriate number of significant figures. A formal error analysis (such as,
perhaps, was done in Physics lab) is not necessary. Still, features of the
data-taking and processing that may have especially contributed to errors
should be pointed out. One classical example is the taking of small differences
between large numbers; for instance, 11.5+0.2 - 10.8+ 0.3 yields a very large
fractional error (about 70 %) on the resulting difference, 0.7+0.5. Another
procedure that usually increases error is numerical differentiation.
Discussion:
The DISCUSSION interprets the results in light of the
project's objectives. The most important goal of the DISCUSSION section is to
interpret the results so that the reader is informed of the insight or answers
that the results provide. The DISCUSSION should also present an evaluation of
the particular approach taken by the group. For example: Based on the results,
how could the experimental procedure be improved? What additional, future work
may be warranted? What recommendations can be drawn?
Conclusions:
The CONCLUSIONS should summarize the central points made in
the Discussion section, reinforcing for the reader the value and implications
of the work. If the results were not definitive, specific future work that may
be needed can be (briefly) described. The conclusions should never contain
"surprises". Therefore, any conclusions should be based on
observations and data already discussed. It is considered extremely bad form to
introduce new data in the conclusions.
References:
The REFERENCES section should contain complete citations
following standard form. The form of the citation depends on the type of source
being referenced, and is different for whole books, chapters in books, and
articles published in a journal. One good format to follow is that used in the
Chemical Engineering Progress journal, published by AIChE. The references
should be numbered and listed in the order they were cited in the body of the
report. In the text of the report, a particular reference can be cited by using
a numerical superscript that corresponds to its number in the reference list.
If a reference has not been actually consulted, it should be listed "as
discussed in [name of the work that discussed the reference]".
Additional Remarks:
Writing Style
Reports should be as long as they need to be -- no longer.
Brevity is desirable, provided the necessary information is properly
communicated. Some suggestions: Avoid reproducing standard information, for
example, calibration curves. Avoid appendices unless there is a specific reason
for them. Consider each sentence - does it meaningfully contribute to the
report?
The reports should consider the background of the fictitious
person described in the project scenario. The quality of the report can suffer
both from overly detailed as well as too incomplete descriptions.
Only the title page, the abstract, the introduction, and the
references should start on a separate page; the other sections should not.
However, a heading needs to indicate the beginning of each section.
Sub-headings within sections can be an excellent way to further organize the
report.
While scientific writing does not have to be elegant, it
must be precise. To state "The data were plotted and seemed to agree with
the theory." is not precise. To state that "The pressure drop across
the column in inches of water was plotted on log-log coordinates as a function
of air flow rate in cubic feet per minute. The plot, shown in Figure 3, was
close to linear and the slope of the best straight line, 1.92, was close to 2,
as predicted by theory." is precise. Also, whenever possible, phrases such
as "small", "large", "greater than", should be
used in conjuction with the actual numbers.
A table or figure should never be inserted into the report
without first referring to that table or figure in the text. Reference to a
figure should include a brief description of what it contains and what it
contributes to the point under consideration. Figures and tables should be
merged into the text or placed on a separate page immediately following the
first page on which they are mentioned; they should not be collected at the end
of the report.
References must be numbered in the order that they are
cited. It is good practice to attribute and acknowledge. The first of these
protects against charges of plagiarism. The second gains friends and shows a
generous nature.
A suitable font is Times Roman, 12 pt.
A uniform verb tense should be used throughout the report,
preferably past tense.
The imperative mood, i.e. as if giving directions or orders,
should not be used. The purpose is to state what was done, not to tell other
people what to do.
Since the reports are formal, the first person (singular
"I" or plural "We") should not be used.
Sentences should not start with "It" unless the
object that "It" refers to is absolutely clear from the context.
All text should be double-spaced to allow room for comments.
All pages, including figure pages, should be numbered
consecutively.
Overly long sentences should be avoided. Two or more short
sentences should be used instead.
An excellent way to improve style and grammar is to have
others proofread the report.
Needlessly fancy presentation (bold, italic, or underlined
fonts; color in text or figures) should be avoided unless it truly enhances the
clarity of the report.
Figures
Figures are categorized as either graphs or drawings. Graphs
should follow engineering standards, not Excel defaults. Backgrounds should be
white, not shaded. Style should be similar to that found in standard
engineering textbooks. Grids should be appropriate to what the reader is likely
to extract from the figure. Type sizes for coordinates and legends should be
appropriate: not too small, not too large. A sans-serif (e.g. Arial) font works
well for figure legends and coordinate labels. All legends should be within the
graph area, not beside it. Line thickness should be sufficient to provide for
good visibility, but not heavier than necessary.
Figures (drawings, schematics) should be kept simple. Fancy
art work and three-dimensional renditions can be distracting if used
indiscriminately. Below every figure or graph should be a caption that
concisely describes what is shown. Figures and graphs should be numbered
consecutively.
Tables
Tables should be well organized, with unshaded backgrounds.
A table should not include columns that have all entries identical. As with
Figures, a standard engineering textbook can be used as a guide to good table
composition. Tables should be numbered consecutively, and above each table
should be a caption describing the table contents.
Some Common Abbreviations Used in MarkingWritten Report
Guidelines
The written report should have the following sections:
(1). Title page
(2). Abstract
(3). Introduction
(4). Materials and Methods
(5). Results
(6). Discussion
(7). Conclusions
(8). References
Description of the content of each of these sections
follows. Additional remarks on report preparation and writing style are given
at the end.
Title page:
The TITLE PAGE identifies
The full name of the project
The course (ChE E 3810)
The name of the principal author (write NONE if a principal
author was not used)
The names of the other group members
The group number
Abstract:
The ABSTRACT is not a part of the body of the report itself.
Rather, the abstract is a brief summary of the report contents that is often
separately circulated so potential readers can decide whether to read the
report. The abstract should very concisely summarize the whole report: why it
was written, what was discovered or developed, and what is claimed to be the
significance of the effort. The abstract does not include figures or tables,
and only the most significant numerical values or results should be given.
Introduction:
The INTRODUCTION should provide a clear statement of the
problem posed by the project, and why the problem is of interest. It should
reflect the scenario, if available. If needed, the introduction also needs to
present background information so that the reader can understand the
significance of the problem. A brief summary of the unique approach your group
used to solve the problem should be given, possibly also including a concise
introduction to theory or concepts used later to analyze and to discuss the
results.
Materials and Methods:
The purpose of the MATERIALS AND METHODS section is to
describe the materials, apparatus, and procedures used to carry out the
measurements. Most importantly, the section needs to provide a clear
presentation of how key measurements were obtained and how the measurements
were analyzed. This is where the particular approach followed to reach the
project's objectives should be described. The detail should be sufficient so
that the reader can easily understand what was done. An accurate, schematic
diagram depicting the apparatus should be included and referred to in the text
as needed (if a diagram has been already provided it can be used in the report,
provided that the source is properly referenced). To improve clarity of
presentation, this section may be further divided into subsections (ex. a
Materials subsection, an Apparatus subsection, a Methods or Procedures
subsection, etc.).
Results:
The RESULTS section is dedicated to presenting the actual
results (i.e. measured and calculated quantities), not to discussing their
meaning or intepretation. The results should be summarized using appropriate
Tables and Figures (graphs or schematics). Every Figure and Table should have a
legend that describes concisely what is contained or shown. Figure legends go
below the figure, table legends above the table. Throughout the report, but
especially in this section, pay attention to reporting numbers with an
appropriate number of significant figures. A formal error analysis (such as,
perhaps, was done in Physics lab) is not necessary. Still, features of the
data-taking and processing that may have especially contributed to errors
should be pointed out. One classical example is the taking of small differences
between large numbers; for instance, 11.5+0.2 - 10.8+ 0.3 yields a very large
fractional error (about 70 %) on the resulting difference, 0.7+0.5. Another
procedure that usually increases error is numerical differentiation.
Discussion:
The DISCUSSION interprets the results in light of the project's
objectives. The most important goal of the DISCUSSION section is to interpret
the results so that the reader is informed of the insight or answers that the
results provide. The DISCUSSION should also present an evaluation of the
particular approach taken by the group. For example: Based on the results, how
could the experimental procedure be improved? What additional, future work may
be warranted? What recommendations can be drawn?
Conclusions:
The CONCLUSIONS should summarize the central points made in
the Discussion section, reinforcing for the reader the value and implications
of the work. If the results were not definitive, specific future work that may
be needed can be (briefly) described. The conclusions should never contain
"surprises". Therefore, any conclusions should be based on
observations and data already discussed. It is considered extremely bad form to
introduce new data in the conclusions.
References:
The REFERENCES section should contain complete citations
following standard form. The form of the citation depends on the type of source
being referenced, and is different for whole books, chapters in books, and
articles published in a journal. One good format to follow is that used in the
Chemical Engineering Progress journal, published by AIChE. The references
should be numbered and listed in the order they were cited in the body of the
report. In the text of the report, a particular reference can be cited by using
a numerical superscript that corresponds to its number in the reference list.
If a reference has not been actually consulted, it should be listed "as
discussed in [name of the work that discussed the reference]".
Additional Remarks:
Writing Style
Reports should be as long as they need to be -- no longer.
Brevity is desirable, provided the necessary information is properly
communicated. Some suggestions: Avoid reproducing standard information, for
example, calibration curves. Avoid appendices unless there is a specific reason
for them. Consider each sentence - does it meaningfully contribute to the
report?
The reports should consider the background of the fictitious
person described in the project scenario. The quality of the report can suffer
both from overly detailed as well as too incomplete descriptions.
Only the title page, the abstract, the introduction, and the
references should start on a separate page; the other sections should not.
However, a heading needs to indicate the beginning of each section.
Sub-headings within sections can be an excellent way to further organize the
report.
While scientific writing does not have to be elegant, it
must be precise. To state "The data were plotted and seemed to agree with
the theory." is not precise. To state that "The pressure drop across
the column in inches of water was plotted on log-log coordinates as a function
of air flow rate in cubic feet per minute. The plot, shown in Figure 3, was
close to linear and the slope of the best straight line, 1.92, was close to 2,
as predicted by theory." is precise. Also, whenever possible, phrases such
as "small", "large", "greater than", should be
used in conjuction with the actual numbers.
A table or figure should never be inserted into the report
without first referring to that table or figure in the text. Reference to a
figure should include a brief description of what it contains and what it
contributes to the point under consideration. Figures and tables should be
merged into the text or placed on a separate page immediately following the
first page on which they are mentioned; they should not be collected at the end
of the report.
References must be numbered in the order that they are
cited. It is good practice to attribute and acknowledge. The first of these
protects against charges of plagiarism. The second gains friends and shows a
generous nature.
A suitable font is Times Roman, 12 pt.
A uniform verb tense should be used throughout the report,
preferably past tense.
The imperative mood, i.e. as if giving directions or orders,
should not be used. The purpose is to state what was done, not to tell other
people what to do.
Since the reports are formal, the first person (singular
"I" or plural "We") should not be used.
Sentences should not start with "It" unless the
object that "It" refers to is absolutely clear from the context.
All text should be double-spaced to allow room for comments.
All pages, including figure pages, should be numbered
consecutively.
Overly long sentences should be avoided. Two or more short
sentences should be used instead.
An excellent way to improve style and grammar is to have
others proofread the report.
Needlessly fancy presentation (bold, italic, or underlined
fonts; color in text or figures) should be avoided unless it truly enhances the
clarity of the report.
Figures
Figures are categorized as either graphs or drawings. Graphs
should follow engineering standards, not Excel defaults. Backgrounds should be
white, not shaded. Style should be similar to that found in standard
engineering textbooks. Grids should be appropriate to what the reader is likely
to extract from the figure. Type sizes for coordinates and legends should be
appropriate: not too small, not too large. A sans-serif (e.g. Arial) font works
well for figure legends and coordinate labels. All legends should be within the
graph area, not beside it. Line thickness should be sufficient to provide for
good visibility, but not heavier than necessary.
Figures (drawings, schematics) should be kept simple. Fancy
art work and three-dimensional renditions can be distracting if used
indiscriminately. Below every figure or graph should be a caption that
concisely describes what is shown. Figures and graphs should be numbered
consecutively.
Tables
Tables should be well organized, with unshaded backgrounds.
A table should not include columns that have all entries identical. As with
Figures, a standard engineering textbook can be used as a guide to good table
composition. Tables should be numbered consecutively, and above each table
should be a caption describing the table contents.
Some Common Abbreviations Used in Marking
NC = not clear
RW = rewrite
SP = be specific, avoid generalities
RT = rethink, logic appears flawed or missing
curly brackets = grader's comments
Underline = see comments above underlined text
Check mark = good
Check mark with one or more slashes or pluses = very good to
excellent
NC = not clear
RW = rewrite
SP = be specific, avoid generalities
RT = rethink, logic appears flawed or missing
curly brackets = grader's comments
Underline = see comments above underlined text
Check mark = good
Check mark with one or more slashes or pluses = very good to
excellent
report preparation and writing style are given at the end.
Title page:
The TITLE PAGE identifies
·
The full name of the project
·
The course (ChE E 3810)
·
The name of the principal author (write NONE if a principal author was
not used)
·
The names of the other group members
·
The group number
Abstract:
The ABSTRACT is not a part of the body of the report itself. Rather, the
abstract is a brief summary of the report contents that is often separately
circulated so potential readers can decide whether to read the report. The
abstract should very concisely summarize the whole report: why it was written,
what was discovered or developed, and what is claimed to be the significance of
the effort. The abstract does not include figures or tables, and only the most
significant numerical values or results should be given.
Introduction:
The INTRODUCTION should provide a clear statement of the problem posed by the
project, and why the problem is of interest. It should reflect the scenario, if
available. If needed, the introduction also needs to present background information
so that the reader can understand the significance of the problem. A brief summary
of the unique approach your group used to solve the problem should be given,
possibly also including a concise introduction to theory or concepts used later
to analyze and to discuss the results.
Materials and Methods:
The purpose of the MATERIALS AND METHODS section is to describe the materials,
apparatus, and procedures used to carry out the measurements. Most importantly,
the section needs to provide a clear presentation of how key measurements were
obtained and how the measurements were analyzed. This is where the particular
approach followed to reach the project's objectives should be described. The
detail should be sufficient so that the reader can easily understand what was
done. An accurate, schematic diagram depicting the apparatus should be included
and referred to in the text as needed (if a diagram has been already provided
it can be used in the report, provided that the source is properly referenced).
To improve clarity of presentation, this section may be further divided into
subsections (ex. a Materials subsection, an Apparatus subsection, a Methods or
Procedures subsection, etc.).
Results:
The RESULTS section is dedicated to presenting the actual results (i.e.
measured and calculated quantities), not to discussing their
meaning or intepretation. The results should be summarized using appropriate
Tables and Figures (graphs or schematics). Every Figure and Table should have a
legend that describes concisely what is contained or shown. Figure legends go
below the figure, table legends above the table. Throughout the report, but
especially in this section, pay attention to reporting numbers with an
appropriate number of significant figures. A formal error analysis (such as,
perhaps, was done in Physics lab) is not necessary. Still, features of the
data-taking and processing that may have especially contributed to errors
should be pointed out. One classical example is the taking of small differences
between large numbers; for instance, 11.5+0.2 - 10.8+ 0.3
yields a very large fractional error (about 70 %) on the resulting difference,
0.7+0.5. Another procedure that usually increases error is numerical
differentiation.
Discussion:
The DISCUSSION interprets the results in light of the project's objectives. The
most important goal of the DISCUSSION section is to interpret the results so
that the reader is informed of the insight or answers that the results provide.
The DISCUSSION should also present an evaluation of the particular approach
taken by the group. For example: Based on the results, how could the
experimental procedure be improved? What additional, future work may be
warranted? What recommendations can be drawn?
Conclusions:
The CONCLUSIONS should summarize the central points made in the Discussion
section, reinforcing for the reader the value and implications of the work. If
the results were not definitive, specific future work that may be needed can be
(briefly) described. The conclusions should never contain
"surprises". Therefore, any conclusions should be based on
observations and data already discussed. It is considered extremely bad form to
introduce new data in the conclusions.
References:
The REFERENCES section should contain complete citations following standard
form. The form of the citation depends on the type of source being referenced,
and is different for whole books, chapters in books, and articles published in
a journal. One good format to follow is that used in the Chemical
Engineering Progress journal, published by AIChE. The references
should be numbered and listed in the order they were cited in the body of the
report. In the text of the report, a particular reference can be cited by using
a numerical superscript that corresponds to its number in the reference list.
If a reference has not been actually consulted, it should be listed "as
discussed in [name of the work that discussed the reference]".
Writing Style
·
Reports should be as long as they need to be -- no longer. Brevity is
desirable, provided the necessary information is properly communicated. Some
suggestions: Avoid reproducing standard information, for example, calibration
curves. Avoid appendices unless there is a specific reason for them. Consider
each sentence - does it meaningfully contribute to the report?
·
The reports should consider the background of the fictitious person
described in the project scenario. The quality of the report can suffer both
from overly detailed as well as too incomplete descriptions.
·
Only the title page, the abstract, the introduction, and the references
should start on a separate page; the other sections should not. However, a
heading needs to indicate the beginning of each section. Sub-headings within
sections can be an excellent way to further organize the report.
·
While scientific writing does not have to be elegant, it must be
precise. To state "The data were plotted and seemed to agree with the
theory." is not precise. To state that "The pressure drop across the
column in inches of water was plotted on log-log coordinates as a function of
air flow rate in cubic feet per minute. The plot, shown in Figure 3, was close
to linear and the slope of the best straight line, 1.92, was close to 2, as
predicted by theory." is precise. Also, whenever possible, phrases such as
"small", "large", "greater than", should be used
in conjuction with the actual numbers.
·
A table or figure should never be inserted into the report without first referring
to that table or figure in the text. Reference to a figure should include a
brief description of what it contains and what it contributes to the point
under consideration. Figures and tables should be merged into the text or
placed on a separate page immediately following the first page on which they
are mentioned; they should not be collected at the end of the report.
·
References must be numbered in the order that they are cited. It is good
practice to attribute and acknowledge. The first of these protects against
charges of plagiarism. The second gains friends and shows a generous nature.
·
A suitable font is Times Roman, 12 pt.
·
A uniform verb tense should be used throughout the report, preferably
past tense.
·
The imperative mood, i.e. as if giving directions or orders, should not
be used. The purpose is to state what was done, not to tell
other people what to do.
·
Since the reports are formal, the first person (singular "I"
or plural "We") should not be used.
·
Sentences should not start with "It" unless the object that
"It" refers to is absolutely clear from the context.
·
All text should be double-spaced to allow room for comments.
·
All pages, including figure pages, should be numbered consecutively.
·
Overly long sentences should be avoided. Two or more short sentences
should be used instead.
·
An excellent way to improve style and grammar is to have others
proofread the report.
·
Needlessly fancy presentation (bold, italic, or underlined fonts; color
in text or figures) should be avoided unless it truly enhances the clarity of
the report.
Figures
Figures are categorized as
either graphs or drawings. Graphs should follow engineering standards, not Excel
defaults. Backgrounds should be white, not shaded. Style should be similar to
that found in standard engineering textbooks. Grids should be appropriate to
what the reader is likely to extract from the figure. Type sizes for
coordinates and legends should be appropriate: not too small, not too large. A
sans-serif (e.g. Arial) font works well for figure legends and coordinate
labels. All legends should be within the graph area, not
beside it. Line thickness should be sufficient to provide for good visibility,
but not heavier than necessary.
Figures (drawings, schematics) should be kept
simple. Fancy art work and three-dimensional renditions can be distracting if
used indiscriminately. Below every figure or graph should be a caption that
concisely describes what is shown. Figures and graphs should be numbered
consecutively.
Tables
Tables should be well organized, with unshaded backgrounds. A table should not include columns that have all entries identical. As with Figures, a standard engineering textbook can be used as a guide to good table composition. Tables should be numbered consecutively, and above each table should be a caption describing the table contents.
Report Writing
Date
A date should be written to the right side. It can be written in the following
format
British Format
|
British: Day-Month-Year |
|
the Fourteenth of March, 2016 |
|
14th March 2016 |
|
14 March 2016 |
|
14/3/2016 |
|
14/3/16 |
|
14/03/16 |
American Format
|
American: Month-Day-Year |
|
March Fourteenth, 2016 |
|
March 14th, 2016 |
|
March 14, 2016 |
|
3/14/2016 |
|
3/14/16 |
|
03/14/16 |
Both formats are accepted.
To
In "To" we write to whom we are writing the
report. Generally, it's written to the editor.
From
Who is writing the report? If you're acting as a reporter,
you can be a chief reporter.
Subject
What your letter is about. It should be underlined.
Introduction
In the introduction, you write briefly who you
are. What you have done before. What you will write in the report.
Report
In a report, it should be explained in detail.
Statistics data can be given in the table, for example, you can write 20
bikes, 10 cars and 5 cycles were stolen in March, April, and
May respectively by writing the data in the table . Write where did you travel to write the
report. You can make it appealing in so many other ways.
Conclusion
What you have explained in the report, you depict in 3 to 5
lines. Write what you exactly want to tell).
Suggestions
You can give suggestions how the problem can be eradicated
and eliminated in points.
Signature
It doesn't mean you will your sign. It is against the rule. You will
just write ABC. (Right Side)
Example:
Q: As a newspaper reporter make a survey report for
your newspaper on "Drug Addiction".
Your report should cover the following points: (8 Marks)
| Taken From English Paper
1. Prevalence of drug addiction in society.
2. It is harmful to our youth and nation.
3. Suggestions to put an end to this evil.
Report on
the Prevalence of drug addiction in society.
To: The Editor, the Dawn
From: A Chief Reporter
Subject: Issue of Drug Addiction in the Society
Introduction:
I am a chief reporter,
and I have compiled a number of reports on terrorism, load shedding, and
smuggling in the Dawn, the Nation and the Tribune. These reports helped to
bring a significant improvement in society. In this report, I will shed light
on the issue of drug addiction.
Report:
It has no doubt that
drug addiction has hit all regions and all sections of our society. It is found
in rural and urban areas, among the poor and the rich, among the men and the
women. But it is most overwhelmingly practiced by young boys and girls in
hostels in almost all educational and technical institutions.
This takes place through drug mafia who has further links
with formidable terrorists and smugglers. And in the process, many long men and
young women in our country fall victim to this diabolical habit. Pakistan,
through its ISI, is indulging in a proxy war in Kashmir against India with the
help of money earned through this drug mafia. These drugs and terrorism have
adamant links.
This habit becomes so confirmed that the victim becomes a slave to the drug. If
he or she doesn't take it regularly, he or she feels something missing and even
significantly depressed with acute pain and numbness in legs and arms. Drugs
are of many kinds like opium, heroin, ganja, charas, etc.
This situation is worsening day by day. This circumstance is
creating a lot of difficulties for the people.
Conclusion:
Eradicating the enigma
of drug addiction is really important without it, our youth will destroy themselves
and the country. It's the best time to take action on it, later we will only
repent.
Suggestions:
I suggest you the
following steps to be taken in this regard:
1. Make treatment available on request like any other.
2. Prevent drug abuse by investing in the youth and providing them with
accurate information.
3. Focus law enforcement resources on the most dangerous and violent criminals
4. International drug control efforts should be demilitarized and focus on
economic development.
5. Restore justice to the Pakistani justice system.
6. Make prevention of HIV and other blood-borne diseases a top priority.
Signature:
ABC,
Chief
Reporter
posted by Study with Faseeh @ September 26, 2021
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