Tips for strengthening your technical report
- Read and follow all guidelines. There is no reason to lose points simply because you did not follow instructions.
- Technical papers should be written in passive voice and past tense. There is a distinct difference between a Technical Report and an Essay.
- Ask a teacher to proofread your report. If possible, ask both a Science teacher and an English teacher.
- Guidance on each section of the Technical Paper:
- Abstract
- Includes the essential points of the purpose, methods, scope, results, conclusions, and recommendations
- Short—1 paragraph to about 1 page in length (should be10% or less of the total report)
- This is your chance to convince the readers that they should continue reading your report.
- Page of Contents
- Indicate on which pages the parts of the report can be located in a professional manner
- Introduction
- Introduce the problem, your hypothesis, and how you planned to resolve the problem through design while dealing with any restrictions.
- Design
- Discuss the experimental process by which you altered your car.
- Reference the data tables from the appendix to defend the conclusions which cause you to change your design
- Operations of Mousetrap
- Please explain the process by which the car is prepared to run. Be explicit about the steps taken.
- Explain as though someone will follow these instructions to remake your car.
- List at least the primary materials used and what role they played, if applicable.
- Conclusion
- State whether your hypothesis was defended or rejected and why.
- Discuss the results of your final design and why it is superior to prior methods.
- Explain how future cars can further be improved and possibly a future hypothesis.