Rasha Al-Khateeb 14/12/2020

Technical Writing and Verbal Communication ARCH 301

December 14, 2020

Today’s topic: Technical reports – Academic reports

Writing is a key method of communication.

Goal from technical reports: data collection only

Data collection and presentation of data reported needs to be done according to a specific
framework.

Tips for writing successful technical reports:

1. Tip #1: Use active voice.

To fulfill the written communication skills goal: Deliver the idea in an easy and clear
way.
That is why we use a unified communication mean such as in Architecture, where we
use diagrams and drawings.
2. Tip #2: Write in the third person
Avoid using “We” and “I”.
3. Tip #3: Proofread your technical reports.
As when the reader finds grammatical and spelling errors, it will negatively affect the
reliability and credibility of the report.
4. Tip #4: Diagrams, figures and pictures should be neatly presented.
Make sure the pictures and diagrams used are relevant to the topic and deliver
important information. Do not use them as space fillers.
Each picture and diagram should have a title, number and be referenced.
5. Tip #5: Pages should be numbered.
6. Tip #6: All information should be cited.
Even if information is paraphrased, it still should be cited as the information was
delivered indirectly.
7. Tip #7: References and sources
Include a list of all references used in the report.
Make sure the references are credible and follow the general rules of resources’
credibility and reliability.
Rasha Al-Khateeb 14/12/2020

Next time: we will cover the sections of the report and what should be included.

Submissions linked to written presentations section: Report presentation and CV writing.

For the report writing assignment:

a. Choose a topic, any topic in Architecture.

b. Include 5 references (journals, conference papers, books)
c. Evaluation will be based on the presentation of report not on the topic itself.