A guide to be used by students for writing

engineering assignments

(Assignment 1)

Student(s): Ann Templeton

Lecturer: Bill Smith

Unit: JEE113 Engineering Design & Communication

Course: Bachelor of Engineering (Marine and Offshore Engineering)

Date Due: 27 February 2018

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ABSTRACT (OPTIONAL)
The abstract is also known as an overview, synopsis or executive summary. Its purpose is to provide a
summary of the report’s essential information. The abstract will often identify the reason for the
report, and highlight major findings, conclusions and recommendations. Usually it is a single
paragraph containing a few sentences, though in some cases, it may be comprised of several
paragraphs. Times New Roman is the preferred font type to be used for formal reports.

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Table of Contents

Abstract (optional).................................................................................................................................ii

Nomenclature (optional).......................................................................................................................iv

1. INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................5

2. Main body of the report..................................................................................................................5

2.1 First Sub-Heading..................................................................................................................5

2.1.1 First Sub-Sub-Heading.......................................................................................................6

3. Equations........................................................................................................................................6

4. Tables and charts............................................................................................................................6

5. Captions for tables and graphs........................................................................................................6

6. Conclusions....................................................................................................................................8

7. Recommendations (optional)..........................................................................................................8

8. References......................................................................................................................................9

APPENDIX A......................................................................................................................................10

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NOMENCLATURE (OPTIONAL )

Symbol Description Units

B Beam (waterline) m

bp Brake power kW

bsfc Brake specific fuel consumption g/(kWh)

Fn Froude number

g Gravitational acceleration m/s2

L Length (waterline) m

ip Indicated power kW

sp Shaft power kW

T Draft m

ωθ Pitch frequency rad/s

θa Pitch amplitude deg

μ Wave direction (head waves, 180˚) deg

ρ Density of water kg/m3

λ Wave length m

While creating Nomenclature, all symbols are to be included as far as possible in an alphabetical order
followed by Greek symbols. In case it is not feasible to state a particular symbol, then it should be
clearly identified within the text.

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1. INTRODUCTION
This section sets up the reader for the rest of the report. When writing an introduction, it is important
to keep in mind the understanding and experience of the prospective reader. Often it contains
background information to show how this work fits into the general body of knowledge.

The format in this template is the recommended way to write assignments. The goal of a report
should be to present the information as clearly and completely as possible, while still concentrating on
being concise. Write in complete sentences using a passive voice, taking care to avoid grammatical
errors. Reports should be prepared as single sided page documents.

2. Main body of the report

The work being reported should be broken up into logical sections with appropriate headings to
indicate the content of each section. Thus section headings in the main body of the text will vary
according to the type of assignment being reported. Body text is to be in Times New Roman 11
points single spaced with one spacing between each paragraph. Leave one blank line between main
section headings. All section main headings are to be in Times New Roman 13 point bold and sub-
headings should be in Times New Roman 12 point bold.

2.1 FIRST SUB-HEADING

Section headings should tell the reader exactly what type of information is contained in the section.
They should be specific and content-focused rather than just labels. Devising informative headings as
opposed to label headings right from the planning stage will help you to clarify exactly what you want
to achieve in each section and subsection. The following provides an illustration of both
uninformative headings and informative headings:

Uninformative headings

 The organisation

 Management

Informative headings

 Overview of the organisation

 Communication in the organisation

 Groups in the organisation

 Management style and methods

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 2.1.1 FIRST SUB-SUB-HEADING
Sub-sub-headings are permitted, and are to be numbered like this. However, any further sub-
headings, although permitted, are not to be numbered. By this, it is meant that these headings
are not to be numbered at all.

Sub-sub-sub-heading
This level of heading is permitted, but not to be numbered.

3. Equations
Many reports often include equations. Write equations using an equation writer in a word processor
and number them sequentially starting at 1. The conventional style for presenting equations is as
follows:

 Indent the equation by 1 cm from the left hand margin

 Place the equation number in round brackets at the right-hand margin

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

dy �2 W
� 2 �lim
dx �v d x �0

The nomenclature section should include variables used in all equations unless definitions are made
where the equation is placed within the text.

4. Tables and charts

Usually it is not necessary to present the same information in both a graph and a table, although
occasionally this can be helpful. Leave one blank line before and after a table or figure.

5. Captions for tables and graphs

Every table should have a table number and a caption and should be referred to in the text. Likewise
every chart, graph and illustration should have a figure number and a caption and also referred to in
the text. Do not include tables or graphs unless there is at least a sentence or two (and often there is
much more than this) in the text so that the reader knows why the information has been included and
what it has to do with the discussion at that place in the report.

For example, Table 1 lists the estimated engine power required with vessel speed while Figure 1
illustrates the variation of engine power required with vessel speed. By convention, a table number
and caption is placed above the table while a graph figure number and title is placed underneath a
graph and other diagrams.

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Table 1 Estimated engine shaft power requirements for vessel A.

Vessel Engine

Shaft
Speed
Power

(knots) (kW)

4 9

6 36

8 95

10 249

12 604

14 1667

1800
Vessel A
1600

1400

1200
Effective Power kW

1000

800

600

400

200

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Vessel Speed (knts)

Figure 1 Estimated Powering requirements for vessel A.

Where you have a choice, all graphs should be positioned so that they can be read with the page in its
normal position. This will always be possible with portrait-style graphs where the y-axis is longer
than the x-axis.

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 Small diagrams should be placed in the text, as close as possible after the text reference. Do not put
them before the text reference; unexplained diagrams distract the reader. Full-page diagrams and
graphs may be placed before or after the text reference, whichever is more convenient for the reader.
It can be helpful to group full-page diagrams together at the end of the report, particularly when they
are referred to in several places.

The correct way of labelling the y axis is to have the text running vertically from the bottom of the
axis to the top. The axis labels should be positioned centrally, with the text running parallel to the
axis.

Mark experimental points clearly with distinctive symbols such as '×' or '+'. For curves drawn through
theoretical points, do not show the points; the curve alone is sufficient. Where several curves are
drawn on the same axes, they must be clearly identified on the graph. Either label the curves, or use
different symbols for the points and a key to the symbols.

6. Conclusions
This section is a summary of the most important thoughts contained in the main body of the text, and
nothing should appear here that has not been discussed previously. The conclusions follow logically
from what has gone before. Short thoughtful conclusions should be used.

7. Recommendations (optional)
Depending on the type of assignment being reported, it may also be necessary to include a section to
recommend a particular course of action. The recommendations should follow logically from all the
previous information and discussions. This section is important to people who must act on the
findings and therefore clear, concise recommendations should be made. Recommendations may
involve:

 strategies, procedures or techniques for solving the problem(s)

 an indication of further work which needs to be completed.

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8. References
All references should be listed here in alphabetical order as illustrated below:

Reeves, T.C., & Laffey, J.M. (1999). Design, assessment, and evaluation of a problem-based learning
environment in undergraduate engineering. Higher Education Research and Development Journal,
18(2), 219-232.

Woud, H. K., & Stapersma, D. (2002). Design of Propulsion and Electric Power Generation Systems,
London: IMarEST.

Use American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style both for in-text citation and the list
of references at the end of the report. The University of Tasmania Library provides comprehensive
information on referencing using the APA style of referencing.

http://utas.libguides.com/content.php?pid=27520&sid=199805

References intext should contain both author and date. The following example illustrates an in-text
citation and reference list style according to the APA style.

Some research (Woud & Stapersma, 2002) suggests that …

… there is strong evidence of this in the literature (e.g., Reeves and Laffey, 1999).

Remember failure to appropriately acknowledge the ideas of others constitutes academic dishonesty
(plagiarism), a matter considered by the University of Tasmania as a serious offence.

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APPENDIX A

This section is optional. Appendices are used for very detailed or lengthy sections of information.
Information placed in an Appendix is usually supplementary to, or supportive of the discussion in the
body of the report, but usually it is not critical to the main points being made in the report.

Appendices are referenced using letters, i.e. Appendix A, Appendix B, etc. Each appendix always
starts on a new page.

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