DISASTER RISK AND REDUCTION MANAGEMENT

Guide for Writing a Technical Report

Guide for Writing a Technical Report

Title page
The report's title should clearly state what the report is about. This page gives:

 the title of the report

 the students’ names and section
 the course name and description, the department, the college, and university
 the course instructor’s name
 the date of submission.

Introduction
The Introduction tells what the report is about. It sets the project in its wider context, and provides the background information
to understand the report.

The Introduction:

 introduces the topic of the report in context

 explains the problem and/or motivation for the project
 states the aim/s or objectives of the project
 indicates the purpose of the report

Body of the report

The Introduction and Conclusions act as a frame for the body of the report, which is where you present your own work. The
information should be organised so that one can follow the development of your project.

The body of the report:

 presents the information from your research, both real world and theoretical, or your design
 organises information logically under appropriate headings
 conveys information in the most effective way for communication by means of:
o figures and tables
o bulleted or numbered lists
o formatting to break up large slabs of text.

Incorporating figures and tables

One of the purposes of engineering reports is to convey information as clearly and simply as possible. For this
reason, figures and tables are commonly used. Anything other than a table (e.g. maps, charts, schematic diagrams,
circuit diagrams, drawings, graphs, images) is called a figure.

 Each figure and table must have a number and a descriptive title.
 Each figure and table must be referred to in the text of the report.
 Figures and tables should be placed just after they are first referred to in the text.

Equations

You will often have to include equations in your reports. The conventional style for presenting equations is as follows:

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Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Architecture jessaeraldin.origines@bisu.edu.ph
DISASTER RISK AND REDUCTION MANAGEMENT
Guide for Writing a Technical Report

 Centre the equation on the page.

 In the text of your report, refer to the equations as either Eq. (1) or equation (1). Use whichever format you choose consistently
throughout your report.

Conclusions
The Conclusions section sums up the key points of your discussion or the significant outcomes of your investigation. As its
function is to round off the story of your project, it should:

 be written to relate directly to the aims of the project as stated in the Introduction
 indicate the extent to which the aims have been achieved
 summarise the key findings, outcomes or information in your report
 acknowledge limitations and make recommendations for future work (where applicable)
 highlight the significance or usefulness of your work.

References
All information, methods, data, diagrams and maps, whether obtained or based on the work of others, must be acknowledged
using APA style.

Rubric No. 2 Assessing and Grading of Written Reports or Essay

1.0 2.0 3.0 5.0
Criteria/Level Does not meet
Exceeds expectations Meets expectations Needs improvement
expectations
The introduction is The introduction clearly The introduction clearly There is no clear
inviting, states the main states the main topic and states the main topic or introduction of the main
topic and position and position and previews the position but does not topic, position or
Introduction
previews the structure structure for the paper adequately preview the structure of the paper.
(10%)
for the paper. but is not particularly structure of the paper nor is
inviting to the reader. it particularly inviting to the
reader.
There is a clear, well- Answer is clear, but the Answer is somewhat clear The answer is not clear.
focused answer to the supporting information is but there is a need for more There is a seemingly
Content problem. The answer general. supporting information. random collection of
(50%) stands out and is information which does
supported by detailed not relate at all to the
information. answer.
Organization/ Writing has a Writing has a beginning, Writing is organized but Writing is aimless and
Conclusion compelling opening, an middle and an end. It is sometimes gets off topic. disorganized.
(5%) informative middle and organized but could be
satisfying conclusions. more compelling.
Grammar & Writer makes no errors Writer makes 1-2 errors Writer makes 3-4 errors in Writer makes more than
Spelling in grammar or spelling in grammar or spelling grammar or spelling that 4 errors in grammar or
(5%) that distracts the reader that distract the reader distract the reader from the spelling that distracts
from the content. from this content. content. the reader from the
. content.
Timeliness The output is The output is The output is submitted The output is
(30%) submitted on time. submitted a day after two days to a week after submitted eight days
the set deadline. the set deadline. after the set deadline.
NOTE: Please do not distribute or reproduce any parts of the module without any permission from the
subject instructor. If you have questions and clarification, please contact me thru FB Messenger,
Google Classroom or thru text.

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Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Architecture jessaeraldin.origines@bisu.edu.ph