Report Writing

Report and Essay/Thesis WritingReport and Essay/Thesis Writing

Adam Heatherington and Janet WoodAdam Heatherington and Janet Wood

for Essays

Appetizing Introduction

Body of Your Essay

Thesis

Conclusion

3 Paragraphs1) Topic Sentence 2) Fact to prove topic3) Fact4) Fact5) Analysis/ Transition

1) A Broad Statement on the Topic Question

2) Thesis: The Position you want to PROVE

3) The Organization Statement – 3 Points you want to prove that make up the ESSAY BODY

1) Restate your thesis

2) Recap your points

3) Analysis/Conclusion

Cute General

Vague narratives Meant as filler when you don’t know what to

say!

To this day, I’m glad this was established because who knows

where we’d be without those brave

men and women fighting for our united country!

FLUFF!!!

This changed when the Articles of Confederation came to the

rescue!”

FLUFF!!!

Question:To what extent was the United State Constitution a radical departure from

the Articles of Confederation?

The United States constitution was a radical departure from the Articles of Confederation after the American Revolution. The Articles of Confederation tried to protect Americans from the issues with Britain. As this attempt for protection was issued, it became clear that America had become strong enough to go on without the Articles of Confederation. This led to the creation of the Constitutional convention and the creation of the Constitution was issued.FLUFF!!!

The United States Constitution was a very radical departure from the Articles of Confederation. The United States Constitution formed almost a completely new view on the way the states would be united. One major difference was in taxation and control of money. A second large change in the government was the emphasis on the strength of a central power. This was in contrast to the states’ power over the federal government. A final drastic change, was in the way the governing body was set up. The new government under the Constitution was a very different government than had been seen under the Articles of Confederation.

Question:Analyze the contributions of TWO

of the following in helping establish a stable government

after the adoption of the Constitution?

John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington

“Thomas Jefferson and George Washington have been two of our greatest leaders. Besides being two of the top presidents to ever hold office, they have had other accomplishments that has led our country to outstanding heights. In order to obtain a stable governments, leaders like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington have done remarkable contributions in order to help our nation after the adoption of the constitution.”FLUFF!!!

“Many presidents and governors tried to establish a stable government after the adoption of the Constitution. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson's eras or terms, illustrated that a stable government is needed in order to establish a free-standing government after the adoption of a Constitution. George Washington contributed the idea of neutrality, enforcement of federal law by summoning state militias, thus illustrated in the Whiskey Rebellion and the support of Hamilton’s national bank. These entities illustrated Washington’s contribution to help establish a stable government…

“…Thomas Jefferson illustrated his contributions by the purchasing of the Louisiana Purchase, the War of Tripoli (Barbary Pirates) and his belief of a strict interpretation of the Constitution. His contributions also showed us his belief of establishing a stable government.

FLUFF!!!

for Essays

Take Time Now To Save Time Later!

An outline is a part of the writing process called “Pre-Writing.”

It is a list that outlines all of the information that you would like to include in your paper.

The list helps you to put all of your information in order before you begin writing.

It is the best way to get your mind It is the best way to get your mind UNJUMBLED

when writing any major paper!when writing any major paper!

An Outline Organizes The Major Parts Of Your Essay:An Outline Organizes The Major Parts Of Your Essay:

Your Thesis Statement-The sentence that tells your reader your ultimate point and what they should expect.

You Major Points-The facts that you are using to prove your main point.

Your Supporting Details-The examples, facts, quotations, etc. that further explain and back up each major point. You should have several for each Major Point.

Your Transitions-The statement or information you will use to transition form one major point to the next. This stops your paper from sounding jumpy or disorganized.

Concluding Thoughts-Any thoughts that you would like to include at the close of your paper to wrap things up and tie it all together. NEVER INCLUDE NEW FACTS OR INFORMATION IN YOUR CONCLUSION!

It will help you organize all of the ideas It will help you organize all of the ideas running around your brain!running around your brain!

It will allow you to find any gaps in It will allow you to find any gaps in your research or ideas early enough your research or ideas early enough

to fix them.to fix them.

It will make writing you essay less It will make writing you essay less stressful because you will KNOW what stressful because you will KNOW what

you have to work with.you have to work with.

Professors are often willing to look Professors are often willing to look over an outline for you to make sure over an outline for you to make sure

that you are on the right track!that you are on the right track!

{Click Mouse to Continue}{Click Mouse to Continue}

You can organize your outline any way that you would like.

• Use Number or Letters

•Use signs or simple pictures (- * √ ◊ ●)

•You can even do it on the computer and use the bullet function.

NOTENOTE: If you do your outline on the computer, you can use it as the basis for your essay. Just remove the bullets when you are ready and edit what you have already typed!!

1. Gather all of your research or notes on the topic that you are writing about.

2. Review it all and decide what your research/information is telling you about your topic.

3. Form a working thesis statement that describes the point that you want to make about your topic.

4. Begin to select what information you would like to include in your essay based on what proves your point.

An Outline Organizes Your Information Into 3 major parts in Preparation For Your Paper:

Your Introduction

Your Body Paragraphs

Your Conclusion


Thesis Statement

Your 1st Major Point Your 2nd Major Point Your 3rd Major Point{Click Mouse to Continue}{Click Mouse to Continue}

The Same Information That Should Be In Your Essay’s Introductory Paragraph

Major point

3-5 Supporting Details

Transition relating it back to your thesis

The Body Section Outlines The Following Information On Each Of Your Major Points:


Restates your thesis statement

Adds any final thoughts

Reestablishes your major points

Your Conclusion Section Does The Following:NOTE: You do

not have to rewrite the

thesis or major points in your outline if you do not choose to, but they should be in your essay’s conclusion!


Thesis Statement◦ 1st major point◦ 2nd major point◦ 3rd major point (etc.)

1st major point◦ Supporting details (3-5)

Transition

2nd major point◦ Supporting details (3-5)

Transition 3rd major point

◦ Supporting details (3-5) Concluding Thoughts

Your Final Outline Should Look Something Like This:


Purdue University Writing Lab

A presentation brought to you bythe Purdue University

Writing Lab


An argument involves the process of establishing a claim and then proving it with the use of logical reasoning, examples, and research.


Guides an audience through your reasoning process

Offers a clear explanation of each argued point

Demonstrates the credibility of the writer


Title Introduction

◦ Thesis statement Body Paragraphs

◦ Constructing Topic Sentences

◦ Building Main Points

◦ Countering the Opposition

Conclusion


Introduces the topic of discussion to the audience

Generates reader interest in the argument


Try to grab attention by◦ offering a provocative

image◦ picking up on words or

examples offered in the body or conclusion of the paper

◦ asking a question Avoid titles that are

too general or lack character


Imagine you just wrote a paper offering solutions to the problem of road rage. Which do you consider to be the best

title?Road Rage

Can’t Drive 55Road Rage: Curing Our Highway Epidemic


Acquaints the reader with the topic and purpose of the paper

Generates the audience’s interest in the topic

Offers a plan for the ensuing argument


personal story example-real or

hypothetical question quotation shocking statistics striking image


The MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE in your paper

Lets the reader know the main idea of the paper

Answers the question: “What am I trying to prove?”

Not a factual statement, but a claim that has to be proven throughout the paper


The thesis statement should guide your reader through your argument.

The thesis statement is generally located in the introduction of the paper.

A thesis statement may also be located within the body of the paper or in the conclusion, depending upon the purpose or argument of the paper.


Parents, often too busy to watch television shows with their families, can monitor their children’s viewing habits with the aid of the V-chip.

To help parents monitor their children’s viewing habits, the V-chip should be a required feature for television sets sold in the U.S.

This paper will describe a V-chip and examine the uses of the V-chip in American-made television sets.


Body paragraphs build upon the claims made in the introductory paragraph(s)

Organize with the use of topic. sentences that illustrate the main idea of each paragraph.

Offering a brief explanation of the history or recent developments in your topic within the early body paragraphs can help the audience to become familiarized with your topic and the complexity of the issue.


Paragraphs may be ordered in several ways, depending upon the topic and purpose of your argument:◦ General to specific

information◦ Most important point to

least important point◦ Weakest claim to strongest

claim


Addressing the claims of the opposition is an important component in building a convincing argument.

It demonstrates your credibility as a writer--you have researched multiple sides of the argument and have come to an informed decision.


Counterarguments may be located at various locations within your body paragraphs.

You may choose to◦ build each of your main

points as a contrast to oppositional claims.

◦ offer a counterargument after you have articulated your main claims.


Consider your audience when you offer your counterargument.

Conceding to some of your opposition’s concerns can demonstrate respect for their opinions.

Remain tactful yet firm.◦ Using rude or deprecating

language can cause your audience to reject your position without carefully considering your claims.


Researched material can aid you in proving the claims of your argument and disproving oppositional claims.

Be sure to use your research to support the claims made in your topic sentences--make your research work to prove your argument!


Your conclusion should reemphasize the main points made in your paper.

You may choose to reiterate a call to action or speculate on the future of your topic, when appropriate.

Avoid raising new claims in your conclusion.


Title Introduction Body Paragraphs

◦ Constructing Topic Sentences

◦ Building Main Points

◦ Countering the Opposition

Conclusion

Example uses is a Technical Report

ObjectivesObjectives

•To understand the purpose of a report

•To be able to plan a report

•To understand the structure of a report

•To organise your information

•To Present data effectively

•To use the correct style of writing

Stages in Report WritingStages in Report Writing

•Planning your work

•Collecting your information

•Organising and structuring your information

•Writing the first draft

•Checking and re-drafting

Break down the report into various parts

Can it be divided into planning stages

Set deadlines for different stages

Organising informationOrganising information

Report WritingReport Writing

Theories

References

Diagrams

Facts

Essays Exams

OrganiseLectures

Major points

AimsSequences

Structure

Thought

Logical

Theories

Information

Memory

Testing

Memory

understanding

Structuring your reportStructuring your report

Title Page:Title Page:

Includes title of the report, authors name, module, course, date

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Any help in collecting information for your report

ContentsContents

List all main sections in sequence with page numbers

Abstract/ SummaryAbstract/ Summary

Paragraph summarising main content

Contents of ReportContents of Report

Within your report you must contain:

An Introduction:An Introduction:

Giving the scope and context of the report. Should includeterms of reference. Give a brief background of report subject area.

MethodologyMethodology

How did you carry out your enquiry? Did you use questionnaires?how was data collected? Present information logically

Results of findingsResults of findings

Present in a simple way: tables, graphs, Diagrams

Three phases of report writing◦ Exploratory phase ◦ Implementation phase◦ Improvement phase

Exploratory phase (MAPS)◦ Message

Design for ergonomics is important Simple design guidelines exist for ergonomic design.

Here are some good and bad examples.

Audience: ◦ Engineers with no knowledge of ergonomics.

Purpose: ◦ Exercise good report writing skills. Learn about ergonomics in

design. Scope:

◦ Introductory with focus on design aspects rather than anatomy.

Collect information:◦ Library, catalogs, professional experts, original research.◦ In the case of ergonomics: mostly library search

Implementation (PWRR)◦ Plan!

Spend as much time planning as writing! Planning prevents “wondering what to do next”. Revise plans as necessary but keep planning. Select the concepts to be presented from

information gathering stage. Make an outline to organize and give order to your

presentation [report]

Plan◦ Make a list of most important points and separate them from

supporting material. ◦ The supporting material should be enough to assure the subject

comprehension, not overwhelming the reader. Write

◦ Use the outline to write a rough draft.◦ Just get the ideas on paper - don’t bother with grammar.

Relax◦ Rest or do something else for a day or two.◦ Allow your mind to become more objective in critically

reviewing the work.

Revise◦ First revision:

Check for accuracy and validity of statements, charts, and equations. Cross misleading or confusing information.

◦ Second revision: Strive for clarity. Use simple non-confusing statements. As a rule of thumb, each statement should not be

more than two lines. But avoid too many short sentences

Second revision◦ Avoid jargon not known to readers.◦ Avoid complicated drawings.◦ Match the report to the interest, need, and

technical level of audience.◦ Under-estimate the knowledge of the audience.

Third revision◦ Improve the report organization◦ Are there enough headings and sub-headings

Third revision◦ Does the material follow a logical development

Fourth revision◦ Seek conciseness◦ Ask yourself how much can be deleted without

disturbing the reader’s comprehension of the report.

Fifth revision◦ Correct errors in grammar, spelling, and sentence

structure. Sixth revision

◦ Are you satisfied?◦ Allow someone to read your report

Format of Technical Reports ◦ Front material◦ Main Text◦ Back matter

Front matter◦ Letter of transmittal: Per company guidelines◦ Title page

Title, team members, report date◦ Preface

Briefly introduces the reader to the report. Includes subject, purpose, acknowledgements.

◦ Table of contents◦ List of figures◦ Abstract or summary: A mini-report

Summary is written last Excludes all the supporting materials Includes the objective, the approach, the results, and the

conclusions and recommendations.

Main text◦ Introduction

Prepares the reader for easier comprehension. Helps the reader understand the purpose of the project, and

should include: The subject Background information Purpose of the report

Is this project relevant and informative to me? The scope of the project Plan of the development (organization)

◦ Body◦ Conclusions and Recommendations

Body [Design work - Final design report]◦ Product design specifications.◦ Introduce the final design.◦ Divide based on product functionally.◦ Divide into assemblies and components.◦ Show how components work together.◦ Describe each component in detail◦ Describe assembly, operations, safety, maintenance,

and disposal procedures.◦ Describe product development decisions in

attachments.

Conclusions◦ Summarize the entire work◦ State your conclusions

strong and weak features of the design◦ Make recommendations [if any]

What did not work and what to do about it What aspects of design may need improvement

Back matter: Bibliography, appendix

Online learning http://getupgo.aimhigherwm.org/

content.asp?CategoryID=1877

Delicious – social book marking ideal for your bibliography of web resources and journals

Word 2007 has its own referencing

Report Writing

Documents

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