1. Technical Writing and Lab Reporting
Objectives:
Learn how to learn from graded work
Understand the importance of developing good writing habits now
Further develop lab reporting skills
Review peers’ work to develop better writing habits

2. Titling Engineer’s Computation Paper
LETTER
On first of multiple page entries
LAST NAME, FIRST NAME
TITLE OF WORK
17-SEP Page 1 of 4
On later pages of multiple page entries
Page 3 of 4

3. Get Organized Organize your class notebook
Handouts first, in chronological order
Note sheets second
Returned work last, in chronological order
Group all sheets in each section prior to current working sheets with a paperclip
The very first note sheet should be blank and titled “Lessons from Mistakes”
LAST NAME, FIRST NAME
LESSONS FROM MISTAKES
04-SEP Page 1 of 1

4. ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT
Lessons From Mistakes
LAST NAME, FIRST NAME
LESSONS FROM MISTAKES
04-SEP Page 1 of 1
ASSIGNMENT / ASSESSMENT
Friedman/Florida Essay
Trig/Algebra Quiz
LESSON LEARNED
Use superscript numbers for in-text citations
Back up my statements with evidence from references
Follow instructions (double-space 3-5 pages)
Always begin by assigning variables
Write legibly
Use extension and dimension lines

5. Mr. Scott’s Markup Symbols
Req’d – required
Req’t – requirement
WC – word choice; revise phrasing/terminology
Ok – I had an issue with it, and either
Something else you wrote made it clear
I still have an issue with it, but it’s not incorrect
? – I don’t understand
¶ - start a new paragraph here
(My suggested rephrasing is only one possibility)

6. Lessons From Mistakes
Spend a few minutes going through your returned work and fill out your “Lessons from Mistakes” table
What can you learn from your Introductory Essay?
the Trig/Geom/Algebra Assignment?
the Trig/Geom Quiz?
If you add all your “lessons” to the beginning pages of your notes, you’ll always be reminded of good engineering writing and problem solving practices.
And it’s a quick reference to help you develop your skills as an engineer.
Don’t condemn yourself to repeating the same mistakes.

7. Friedman/Florida Lessons
Proofread! Get someone else to read through your work as much as possible.
Introductory paragraph(s) should layout structure of essay, probably including your main argument (thesis).
Direct quotes need quotation marks, otherwise it’s plagiarism.
Quotes of five or more lines should be formatted uniquely.
Keep digging until you get to the root of a problem – anyone can see the limbs and branches.
Your solution should contain at least as much depth as the problem you’ve identified.
Poor sentence/paragraph/essay structure weakens your ideas.
Opinions do not need citations; facts and blanket statements do. If you’re stating fact, cite the reference that proves it’s fact. If you’re sharing an idea that’s not yours, cite the reference.

8. Technical Writing Notes
Previous Handout – H15 Mousetrap Design
Previous Handout – H9 Lab Reporting
Course Website File – H10 Lab Reporting Supplement
Sample Lab Reports

9. Pendulum Lab Sit with your Pendulum Lab partner.
You will be given your report – review it and check for errors.
Grading:
Grammar, aesthetics – ~15%
Abstract – ~5%
Introduction – ~10%
Procedure – ~10%
Results – ~25%
Discussion/Conclusion – ~25%
Acknowledgements
Appendices ~10%
References
Title
In ~5minutes, you will trade with another group and you will proofread their report. Pay close attention to Discussion/Concl.
Final Pendulum Lab Report due Tuesday – hard copy, turned in at the beginning of class.

10. Assignment Final Pendulum Lab Report due Thursday
You will be completing a team-member evaluation
Technical Drawing Lab due Monday Oct-11
Remote Measurement Lab Report due Monday Oct-11
Unit 1 Test Monday and Tuesday 18-Oct and 19-Oct