Guide for writing technical reports

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne

EPFL-DMT-IMS, 2001
Guide for writing technical reports
Guide for writing technical reports
Preface
Report writing is one of the many things with which EPFL students are confronted.
You may have the feeling that this is a nuisance; however, reports are of great
importance for engineers.
The purpose of this guide is to help you, the student, with writing good reports.
While remaining compact, it combines basic advices and rules for lab experiment (TP),
semester and diploma reports. We emphasise that these are only guidelines. As a
consequence these rules should be applied with intelligence.
This is a modified copy of a manual that was made 20 years ago by teachers in Holland,
with a few additions from other sources. It has been adapted, we hope, to the tastes and
opinions of the teachers here.

Suggestions for improvements, from teachers and students, are welcome.

Harald van Lintel

Raphael Holzer
Pierre-André Besse

Lausanne, March 2001

v.1.1, 7/03/01 HvL

Guide for writing technical reports

Table of contents

1 THE AIMS OF A REPORT................................................................................6

2 STRUCTURING A REPORT.............................................................................7

2.1 Laboratory reports (TP)...........................................................................................7

2.2 Semester and diploma reports..................................................................................9

3 LAYOUT OF A REPORT.................................................................................12

3.1 Basic layout..............................................................................................................12

3.2 Numbering................................................................................................................12

3.3 Tables........................................................................................................................13

3.4 Graphs......................................................................................................................14

3.5 Number presentation...............................................................................................15

3.6 Literature list and citations.....................................................................................16

4 LANGUAGE ASPECTS..................................................................................17

4.1 Concise and simple sentences.................................................................................17

4.2 Short words and active verbs.................................................................................17

5 HOW TO GO ABOUT WRITING A REPORT..................................................18

5.1 The basis...................................................................................................................18

5.2 Realisation................................................................................................................18

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Guide for writing technical reports

1 The aims of a report

The purpose of a report is to transmit coherent information on a subject to the target
readers.
Reports at the EPFL are usually technical and should be based on verifiable facts or
experiments.
You should write the report in such a way that it will be as easy as possible for the
reader to understand, and eventually to apply the information in it. It is not a history of
your work.
Obviously, the requirements of your readers (and tutors especially) must be taken into
account: what information is requested, how much does the reader know already, what
interests him/her?
Your report should be written in such a way that your fellow students will be able to
understand it.
• In a laboratory (TP) report you must show that you are able to put order and
coherence in your measurement results, that you have insight in the accuracy
and reliability of the measurements and that you are able to link the experiment
to the related theory.
• Semester and diploma reports often are part of a project. The success of the
project may be influenced by the quality of the report. A clear and critical
problem description and a well-motivated solution form an important
contribution to the goal to be reached. Often a report is the starting point for a
next phase in the project. Therefore, a thorough description of the experiments
and results are important, as well as clearly formulated conclusions.
The teacher or tutor who has to judge the report will certainly appreciate it when the
contents are clearly the intellectual property of the writers. Copying someone else’s
work is not appreciated!

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Guide for writing technical reports

2 Structuring a report
2.1 Laboratory reports (TP)
In general, depending on the type of experiment, for your “Travaille Pratique” report
you may use something like this:
• Title
• Purpose of the experiment
• Theoretical background
• Description of the experiment
• Results of the experiment
• Calculations
• Discussion of results
• Literature
• (List of symbols)
• Appendices (may be put ahead of “Literature”)
Answers to questions in the TP instruction are to be integrated in the report in the
appropriate places.
Hereunder follow some clarifications and details in relation to the above example
layout.

2.1.1 Title
Every report must be clearly recognizable by its title. The title is here a compact
description of the experiment.
This title appears on a title or cover page, that also should contain the following
information:
• Names of the authors
• Class, affiliation
• Date

2.1.2 Purpose of the experiment

Describe in detail the purpose of the experiment and try to touch the heart of the matter.

2.1.3 Theoretical background

Explain shortly the background, preferably using consulted literature. You should
include short derivations of non-standard formulas in the main text.

2.1.4 Description of the experiment

Here the experiment or practical training is described. You should include things as:
• Description of the measurement equipment

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Guide for writing technical reports

• The way the experiment is done

• Particularities of equipment or materials
It is in most cases not useful to go in great detail about the equipment; eventually you
may refer to manuals and type numbers. Don’t mention details that are useless. Use
appendices.

2.1.5 Results of the experiment

Describe the results you obtained, your observations, and how you dealt with
unexpected problems.
Often the results include sequences of numbers that can and should be shown in tables
or graphs. Don’t forget to indicate measurement accuracies where useful.
Also other types of information, such as oscilloscope images and photos are experiment
results.

2.1.6 Calculations
Here belong:
• Calculations, where needed incl. accuracy calculations
• Extractions of measurement results from graphs
In case of a number of identical calculations you only need to show one calculation
example. Clearly indicate to which measurement it applies. The results can be collected
in tables.

2.1.7 Discussion of results

This may be the most important part of the report, as from this should become clear
what meaning and relevance the results have and what conclusions can be drawn from
these.
Where possible, compare the results with theoretical predictions or literature sources
(give the value and the source!). Discuss the differences. Try to reach clear conclusions.

2.1.8 Literature
Give here an overview of consulted literature.

2.1.9 List of symbols

In case you make use of many symbols, it is good to add a list of symbols as well.

2.1.10 Appendices
In the appendices you can put items that would interfere with the logic and readability
of the report, such as big tables (or too many), graphs or derivations, and items such as
computer print-outs, program code, process lists, data sheets and detailed component
descriptions. Make sure that the reader will not have to jump much to-and-from the
appendix.
We also want you to add all your original notes of the main experiments here.

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Guide for writing technical reports

2.2 Semester and diploma reports

Both types of report transmit relevant information, understanding and know-how that
you developed during the project. This should be exposed in a coherent, scientific way.
In practice there is often not much difference between them, so the layout can be
similar:
• Title
• Table of Contents
• Summary
• Project description
• Introduction
• Body of the report
• Conclusions
• Literature list
• List of symbols
• Appendices (may be put ahead of “Literature”)
Some clarifications:

2.2.1 Title
The title should indicate in a few words the subject and the way it is approached.
Example: a title like “Silicon microfluidics” is insufficient. “Silicon microfluidic
sensors” is better but lacks information on what has been done.
A better title is for example “Fabrication and test of silicon microfluidic sensors”.
However, a title like “Realisation and test of a novel microfluidic sensor” is more
appealing.
On the title page belong as well:
• Name of writer
• Time period or date
• Institute where the work was done
• Names of professor, assistants

2.2.2 Table of contents

The chapters and sections (and if you like, subsections) are mentioned with their page
number.

2.2.3 Summary
Mention for who the report is primarily made. Inform the reader about the purpose, used
methods and results; give the main conclusions and recommendations (about half a
page). Stress the novelty and possible impact.

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Guide for writing technical reports

2.2.4 Project description

The description as formulated at the start is to be given here.

2.2.5 Introduction
Here you can indicate in more detail the purpose, background, starting points and
limitations. Explain briefly your approach and what is new. In order to get the attention
of the reader, it is good to write „top down“, i.e. mention the main achievement already
in the introduction.

2.2.6 Body of the report

This will be split up in several chapters, depending on the work that has been done.
Nevertheless, the body should be logical and fluent. Transmit your message in the form
of coherent information, not as a historical description.
In accord with the point of depart as formulated in the introduction, you should build up
the subject matter in a logical way. All matter that you feel should be in the report but
does not fit with that logic has to go to the appendix. Where appropriate you can refer to
that in the text.
Examples of items that may be put in the body of the report:
• Theoretical background
• Reasons, motivations for design choices
• Key design or layout
• Key aspects of realisation
• Choice of measurement method or set-up
• Discussion of results
• Anything else that the project description requires

2.2.7 Conclusions
Give all relevant conclusions, even negative. Stress novelty and scientific or industrial
impact. Also new insights, outlook and recommendations for improvement should be
put here.
However, do not introduce results or concepts that belong in the body of the report.
Bring structure in your conclusions.

2.2.8 Symbol list

Every report with a large number of symbols benefits from a symbol list.
You should have all used symbols in alphabetic sequence (small letters, capital letters,
Greek).
Indicate both meaning and units. Try to adapt generally used symbols, and try to avoid
the use of the same symbol for different meanings.
Also non-standard abbreviations can be added here.

2.2.9 Literature list

See section 3.6

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2.2.10 Appendices
Hereunder fall things that would interrupt the fluidity of the body of the report, such as:
• Long derivations of formulas
• Calculations that would interrupt the body of the report (keep them compact)
• Large tables with measurements or calculated results
• Large drawings and schemes or layouts, series of pictures
• Part lists
• Computer simulation print-outs (listings, runs)
• Partial copies of articles
The report without the appendixes must be understandable and contain all important
information.

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Guide for writing technical reports

3 Layout of a report
3.1 Basic layout
Use A4 paper. In long reports, start each chapter on a new page. Use large margins (ca.
3 cm left margin, top and bottom). Preferably put explaining text next or under pictures,
especially in semester and diploma reports. Group the information in paragraphs.
On the cover, put title, names and date.

3.2 Numbering

3.2.1 Chapters and sections

We advice the use of a decimal enumeration system, such as used in this manual.
Thus:
1. Title of chapter
2. Title of chapter
2.1. Title of section
2.1.1 Title of sub section
2.1.2 Title of sub section
2.2. Title of section
Use the same code in the table of contents (can be done in an automatic way with
programs like Word).
Don’t include Summary, Appendices, Literature list or Symbol list in this numbering.

3.2.2 Formulas
Essential formulas and formulas that are referred to in other places in the report must be
numbered.
For example:
f = 0.5 s / m (1)
If you do not have many formulas (say less than 20), you can use this type of
numbering; otherwise you can use (3.1) etc., referring to the chapter the formula is in.

3.2.3 Tables
Tables should be numbered, and indicated: Table 1, Table 2 (or Table 3.1, Table 3.2).

3.2.4 Figures
All graphics that are placed in-between the text, such as drawings, graphs, pictures are
called “figure”. You can number them Figure1, Figure 2 etc. (or Fig.3.1, Fig.3.2).
Together with the numbering you give a short and clear description (figure caption).
This should be self-explaining: all the relevant information has to be in the figure or in
the figure caption. State clearly what is shown: “Measured…”, ”Simulated…”,
”Theoretical…”, ”Comparison…”, …
The figures are placed close to the related text.

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Guide for writing technical reports

3.2.5 Appendices
If you have only a few:
Appendix A. Tables of expansion coefficients
Appendix B. Specifications of current amplifier SRS 570
If you have many that can be grouped into types:
Graph A. First DC current measurement
Graph B. First AC current measurement
Mask 1. Back side
Mask 2. Front side
Mask 3. Metallisation
You indicate these in the Table of Contents as:
Graphs
Mask layouts

3.3 Tables
• Put above or under the table a description: Table 2, “short description”.
• Better not to make horizontal tables: such save space but are difficult to read.
Thus not:
U [V] 0 2.00 4.00 6.00 8.00 10.00
I [mA] 0.4 2.7 4.2 5.3 5.5 5.6
But like the following (with the cause in the left, and the result in the right
column!):
U [V] I [mA]
0 0.4
2.00 2.7
4.00 4.2
6.00 5.3
8.00 5.5
10.00 5.6
• Shift repetitive information from the columns to the heading. In the heading
above each column you mention:
o The contents, often using a symbol (e.g. U).
o The unit between brackets (e.g. [mV]); choose the unit to be convenient
in size,
e.g. 13.6 mV instead of 0.0136 V (only use brackets [] where needed!).
o The precision, if this is of importance and similar for all values.
• Try to shift as much as possible information from the heading to the description.
• Choose the sequence of columns in a logical way (put together what belongs
together).

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Guide for writing technical reports

• Don’t put very long or wide tables in the text if not necessary. It is better for the
reader if you put them in an appendix or split them up in smaller tables. Avoid
that tables continue from one page to another.

3.4 Graphs

3.4.1 Axes
a. Horizontally (x) you put the independent variable (the cause) and vertically
(y) the dependent variable (the result)!!
For example, if you measure the resistance as function of the temperature: then
you put the resistance on the vertical axis. But if you measure the temperature
as function of a heater resistance, you put the temperature on the vertical axis.
b. The divisions on the axis depend on the following:
o The space should be used efficiently.
o Usually the axes go preferably through the origin (0,0).
o If you don’t start at 0, it’s good to show it (but cumbersome with Excel):

o Please divide the axes in multiples of 1, 2, 5, 10 (etc.) units (“ticks”), do

not put them every 3 or 4 units! Add enough (not too many) values.
o Consider the use of logarithmic divisions; realise what is useful and/or
common.
c. Near the axes you indicate the variable (preferably a symbol) and the units: e.g.
I [mA] or t [s]. Near the vertical axis you put the comment horizontal or, if there
is lack of space and you place it vertical, it should be readable from the right.
Don’t forget to describe what exactly is plotted as function of what.
d. Use exactly the same layout for two results that you want to compare (identical
axes).

3.4.2 Measurement points

• Include all measurement points, also the ones that seem to be out of range. Make
them sufficiently large to see them after you draw a line through them.
• Make sure when you do the measurements that the points will be well
distributed. Where the graph behaves strangely (resonance peaks and so on)
there should be more points (hopefully you realised that when doing the
measurement!).
• Often it is useful to indicate an estimation of the inaccuracy using error bars
(especially when large).

3.4.3 Lines
• Ideally you draw a smooth line without trying to exactly force them through all
points, in accord with theory (expectation) and common sense (error bars are

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Guide for writing technical reports

helpful for that). With automated programs like Excel that may be a bit
problematic.
In some cases it is not beneficial to draw a line at all.
• Use different line styles, especially for lines that are close together or have a
different meaning, such as theory and measurement (solid, dashed,..).
• If theory predicts that the points lie on a straight line, draw a straight line as
good as possible through the points. If theory predicts the line to go through the
origin, show the origin in the graph. Depending on the circumstances, it may be
a good or a bad choice to force the line through the origin (comment on it in the
text if you think there is an offset of some kind).
An example of a bad presentation (Fig.1) and a good presentation (Fig 2) is shown
hereunder:
200
190

+
170
Evaporation rate [nl/s] 150
150
Evaporation rate[nl/s]

130 100

110

50
90

70

0
50 0 100 200 300 400 500
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
P[mW]
Power [mW]

Fig.1. First results Fig.2. Measurement of evaporation rate as

function of input power (third order fit).
3.5 Number presentation
In general you should not give more and not less decimals than what is meaningful or
useful. A calculator usually gives too many digits!
How many you should take into account or present depends on:
• The specifications of the equipment, either explicit (specifications) or implicit
(number of digits, instability, time since last calibration (!))
• In calculations it is important how the inaccuracies influence the end value. It is
wise to use at the start of calculations more digits than seem required or
relevant, to prevent rounding errors. Watch out for dependence between errors:
for example some systematic errors may have no effect on your result. Then one
digit “too much” may be relevant after all!
Often an estimation of the accuracy (error) is useful. In further calculations you should
not forget that you started with an estimation.
In many cases a simple, so-called “worst-case” calculation will be sufficient.
Such a calculation is valid for correlated or non-statisical errors. If applied to all errors,
it easily results in overestimation (which can be acceptable).

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Guide for writing technical reports

Some rules for worst-case calculations:

• Additions and subtractions: add absolute errors
• Multiplications and divisions: add relative errors (%)
• Square root: half the error
• If you don’t know or are not sure, calculate the extremes (sin x, ln x etc.)
If you have large independent errors of a statistical nature, you should sum the squares
of the errors instead, according to standard deviation theory.
Thus: Error = E1 2 + E 2 2 + ... with Ex= error.
As above, work with absolute errors for additions, and relative errors for
multiplications.
Note that the estimated error Ex is usually defined as twice the Standard Deviation,
which corresponds to a 95% certainty interval (sometimes a larger interval is taken).
When you present values:
• Use prefixes (kV, mA, pF) or powers of 10: preferably multiples of 1000 (10­6,
109 etc.).
• Indicate absolute errors in the same unit and power of 10.
• Indicate the number of relevant digits. Some examples:
4.0872 +/- 0.1 should be: 4.1 +/- 0.1
2.1 +/- 0.3 % should be: 2.100 +/- 0.3 % (or: 2.1 +/- 5 %)
0.845 +/- 1.728 % should be: 0.845 +/- 1.7 %

3.6 Literature list and citations

A pleasant way of citing literature is to mention the name of the first author, e.g. “The
measurement method as used by Ott [13] …”
In case you refer to a book or other voluminous work, also indicate page number or
chapter.
Group the list alphabetically on name of first author, and chronologically for the same
author.
• Books:
Names of authors, book title, edition (if not first), place, year, volume number,
first and last page you refer to.
• Journal articles:
Names of authors, article title, place, name of journal, number, year between
brackets, volume number, first and last page of the article.
Note: In case of more than two authors you can put “et al”.

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Guide for writing technical reports

4 Language aspects
4.1 Concise and simple sentences
The writing style should be precise, clear and scientific. Long sentences are more
difficult to understand than short ones and risk tiring your readers. Avoid unnecessary
words.
You should have less than 20 words per sentence on the average; avoid more than 35
words in the longest sentence. Sentences like this last one (separated by ; or : ) are
counted as two.
Avoid too deeply nested sub-sentences. A horrific example:
“The differential equations, the solutions of which that must be solved with eight
constants, to be derived from the boundary conditions, are known, have been derived”.
However, even short phrases can be difficult to understand. Try to avoid the so-called
overstressed construction, which happens for example when too many words are
squeezed in-between the subject and the related verb. Keep related words together.
Instead of: The lab equipment that we borrowed from the IOA turned out to be useless
for our purpose.
Better: We borrowed lab equipment from the IOA, but it was useless for our purpose.
Also, be to the point: keep unnecessary words and repetitions to a minimum.
Not: “By slow and careful evaporation of water we perform the needed dehydration
until it is dry.”
Better: “We dry it slowly.”

4.2 Short words and active verbs

Sentences can be tiring because of too many long words. If you spot such, try to replace
some words by shorter synonyms.
Scientific articles and scientific books are usually written in an impersonal style as this
gives a modest and “objective” (neutral) impression. It is common practice not to use
“I”, and rarely “we”. Sentences tend to use the passive form as a result.
For example: instead of writing “I investigated the influence of a higher viscosity on the
layer thickness”, people tend to write “The influence of a higher viscosity on the layer
thickness was investigated”.
However, now it is not clear if the author did it, someone else, or another group! To
convey the same information it should be “The influence of a higher viscosity on the
layer thickness was investigated by the author”, which is a bit heavy.
A trick some people use is: “The author investigated the influence of a higher viscosity
on the layer thickness”. In lab reports you can be more personal.
Often a sentence can be changed from the passive form to the active form by
rearranging the words. Instead of “The pull strength was doubled by the addition of
3.6% wolfram”, you can simply write: “Adding 3.6% wolfram doubled the pull
strength”.
Also, instead of: “Water condensation is likely to occur in the narrow gap” it is better to
write: “Water may easily condensate in the narrow gap.”

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Guide for writing technical reports

5 How to go about writing a report

5.1 The basis
It starts with clear and complete notes that you take during your work.
For semester and diploma work this means you should keep a well-organized notebook
in which you put all things (or copies) that relate to your task: study, notes, designs,
discussion notes, measurements, calculations, failures, graphs etc.
During this time you should already work out and discuss some of your material for
inclusion in your report, and contemplate on how you will present your work.

5.2 Realisation
There are many ways to do it, but what follows is, we think, a useful suggestion of how
you can do it.
a. First phase: inventory.
b. Write on a large piece of paper all main items that you must include in your
report. Check the TP/project description and your notes to see if you forgot
something.
c. Second phase: order and selection (see ch.2).
Make a draft chapter division. Try to include all the main items in these
chapters, and adapt them if needed. Order the chapters and items in a logical
way. Do not hesitate to put at the beginning what you did at the end if it makes
more sense.
a. Third phase: write your report (see ch.3 and 4).
b. Fourth phase: checking
Carefully read your report from start to end. You may also ask someone else to
examine it and comment on it.

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