Author(s): Leah M. Akins, Ph.D.
This document specifies the recommended format to be used when submitting a formal technical report in a variety of disciplines and purposes. Also, this manual can be used as a guide to compose less formal reports, such as lab reports, that may consist of a subset of the items presented here. It is a useful general guide from which faculty can specify the particular requirements for reports in their courses.
Now in it’s eleventh iteration, the text was updated in July 2023 to include guidance on the use of AI in technical writing.
Technical Report Writing Guidelines
PDF 569KB
Introduction
The Formal Technical Report
Universal Report-Writing Considerations
Standard Components of a Formal Technical Report
Title Page
Abstract
Table of Contents
Introduction
Background Theory
Design
Theoretical Analysis
Procedure
Results and Discussion
Conclusion
References
Appendix
Why You Should Know How a Reader in Industry Peruses a Technical Report
Questions to Ask Yourself Prior to Submitting Any Report
Conclusion
APPENDIX A: “How To” Guide on References and Citations
APPENDIX B: Page Numbering and Table of Contents using MS Word
APPENDIX C: Writing Tips for Discussing Results
Percent Difference/Error
Significance of Difference
Writing Discussion Based on Questions
Guidelines for Graphs
Considerations for Technical Responses
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