Technical Report Writing Workshop
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© Loughborough University 2009. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.
Please note that this resource is accompanied by a text document and is part of five workshops on Key Skills for Engineering undergraduates.
The other workshops are:• Working in Groups – 90 - 120 minutes• Oral Presentations – 90 - 120 minutes• Sourcing Material and Writing a Literature Review – 90 - 120 minutes • Preparing for Placement – 120 - 150 minutes.
Please note there is also an introductory document providing general instructions on the workshops.
Technical Report Writing
Aims and Objectives
AIMS To understand the purposes of a report
OBJECTIVES To produce a report that is effectively
presented and well written
Technical Report Writing
Overview
1. What is a report?2. Different types of technical reports3. Before you start4. Structure of a report5. Layout, presentation and style of writing6. Plagiarism and referencing7. Spelling, grammar and punctuation8. Writing your report
Technical Report Writing
1. What is a Report?
A means of communication
Different to a novel
Will be needed in the workplace
Technical Report Writing
2. Different Types of Technical Reports (i)
Technical-background report
Instruction leaflets and manuals
Feasibility Report
Primary research report
Technical Report Writing
2. Different Types of Technical Reports (ii)
Technical specifications
Proposals
Business prospectus
Technical Report Writing
3. Before you start
Departmental guidelines
Terms of reference
Identify your audience
Importance of a Draft Plan
Timetable
Technical Report Writing
4. Structure of the Report (i)
Title page
Summary/ Abstract
Contents page
Technical Report Writing
4. Structure of the Report (ii)
Introduction and background
Main Body of the report
Conclusion & Recommendations
Technical Report Writing
4. Structure of the Report (iii)
References
Acknowledgements
Appendices
Technical Report Writing
Task 1
Writing an Abstract
Technical Report Writing
5. Layout, Presentation and Style of Writing
Layout:
Sections
Sub-sections
Figures
Equations
Bullet points
Technical Report Writing
5. Layout, Presentation and Style of Writing (ii)
Presentation:
Font
Margins
Acronyms
Technical Report Writing
5. Layout, Presentation and Style of Writing (iii)
Style of writing:
Active or Passive
First Person or Third Person
Technical Report Writing
Task 2
What is plagiarism?
Technical Report Writing
6. Plagiarism and Referencing (i)
What constitutes plagiarism
Plagiarism is using the work of others and, by failing to reference it, passing it
off as your own work
Technical Report Writing
6. Plagiarism and Referencing (ii)
An overview of different referencing systems
The importance of accuracy
Technical Report Writing
7. Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation
Spelling – frequently misspelt words, words with similar spellings and words which sound the same
Grammar – common errors
Punctuation: commas, apostrophes, colons and semi-colons
Technical Report Writing
Task 3
Spot the mistakes
Technical Report Writing
8. Writing Your Report
From start to finish
What is expected
Possible shortcomings
Checking your report
Technical Report Writing
Concluding Remarks
A final checklist
Feedback forms
Thank You and Good Luck
Technical Report Writing
This resource was created by Glynis Perkin, Loughborough University and released as an open educational resource through the Open Engineering Resources project of the HE Academy Engineering Subject Centre. The Open Engineering Resources project was funded by HEFCE and part of the JISC/HE Academy UKOER programme.
© 2009 Loughborough University
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.
The name of Loughborough University, and the Loughborough University logo are the name and registered marks of Loughborough University. To the fullest extent permitted by law Loughborough University reserves all its rights in its name and marks which may not be used except with its written permission.
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