Formal Report

1. Title Page

   The title should clearly indicate the subject of the report. The title page should have the title, name or names of the authors, date, and course on a single page.

2. Abstract

   The object of the abstract is to give the reader enough information to determine if the report should be read. The abstract should be self contained, should be short (100-200words) and should state the following concisely:

   1. What the author has done.
   2. How it was done (if that is important).
   3. The principal results (numerically, when possible).
   4. The significance of the results. See page 13 for example of abstracts.

3. Introduction

   The introduction orients the reader with respect to the problem. The object is to get the reader knowledgeable enough to understand the following sections. It may include the following:

   1. Background information to establish the motivation for doing the work.
   2. Objective of the work.
   3. Any theory necessary to understand the results presented.

4. Body of the report

   The body of the report contains the primary message in detail. The writer should communicate information efficiently and effectively to the reader. The body may have several sections or subsections which should have appropriate titles. (Don't call the body "Body.") The following sections could be included:

   1. Procedure. Write a brief account including circuit diagrams where necessary. The lab handout may be referenced (as an Appendix) but should not appear in the body of the report.
   2. Theory/calculations. Include appropriate theory and necessary equations (with references if needed). Methods of calculations should be indicated or sample calculations given.
   3. Results. Present all experimental results. Use visual forms of presentation such as graphs where possible. Figures must be numbered and titled.
   4. Discussion of results. Discuss measurement problems and errors in measurements, calculations, and results. Compare results to theoretical and/or expected results.

5. Conclusion

   Each conclusion should be numbered and clearly stated. Your conclusions could include the following items:

   1. What is shown by this work and its significance.
   2. Limitations and advantages.
   3. Application of results.
   4. Recommendations for further work.

6. Other Optional Sections

   Many reports may include one or more of the following optional sections:

   1. Executive Summary. Often an executive summary is given to summarize the entire report. It may be that this is the only part of the report that is read by an executive. It should briefly summarize the entire report. When included, the executive summary follows the abstract.
   2. Appendices. The appendices contain relevant supporting material which may not be strictly necessary to understanding elements of the report.
   3. References. When information from some other source is used, either as a direct quotation or paraphrased, that source should referenced. Usually, a number in brackets [ ] is inserted in the text and is used to specify the reference citation in the reference section. The references are listed in order of their appearance in the report.
   4. Bibliography. The bibliography includes general reference information about the topic of the report but not specific information referred to in the report.