Chapter 1 of 9 · 3 practices · 3 min · 3-question quiz
Structure the report before you write it
A clear structure agreed early saves weeks of rewriting. Start from your department's format and fill it gradually through the year.
Start: Start from your department's report format, not a blank page3 practices in this chapter
- 1Start from your department's report format, not a blank pageMost departments publish a report format, and examiners mark against it. The FAST School of Computing handbook, for example, gives two outlines: Both are wrapped in front matter (title page…
- 2Write each chapter while the work is freshThe most common report mistake is leaving all writing to the last month. By then you have forgotten why you made decisions, which experiments failed and what the first design looked like.
- 3Write the introduction, abstract and conclusions lastThe introduction and abstract describe the whole project, so they are easiest to write once the rest exists. Draft them early if you like, but rewrite them at the end.
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