Technical%20Report%20Writing - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Technical%20Report%20Writing

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Technical Report Writing. Dr. Shelley Thomas. Overview. Selecting effective report topics ... Analyzing audience characteristics. level of knowledge, experience ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Technical%20Report%20Writing


1
Technical Report Writing
  • Dr. Shelley Thomas

2
Overview
  • Selecting effective report topics
  • Using worksheets to plan projects
  • Developing and proposing project plans
  • Developing effective report drafts
  • Revising drafts

3
3-Parts of Report Writing
  • Part 1 Proposal
  • plan and propose project to instructor
  • Part 2 First draft of report
  • conduct research and interpret findings
  • develop and design visual and textual content
  • Part 3 Revise and add formal elements
  • revise draft (style, cohesion, and usage) for
    situation and audiences
  • develop front and back matter

4
Report Topics
  • Students must identify
  • a real client who
  • has a problem, need, or opportunity
  • has decision-making authority
  • is available to meet face to face (at least twice)

5
Report Topics
  • An investigative focus on determining whether a
    solution is feasible.
  • Investigates whether X is a feasible solution to
    the clients problem. Makes a recommendation to
    implement or not implement X.
  • Investigates whether Y or Z is a more feasible
    solution to the clients problem. Makes a
    recommendation to implement Y, Z, or neither.

6
Report Topics
  • An investigative focus on understanding a problem
    and identifying a plan of action for solving it.
  • Investigates why X occurred (or is occurring).
    Recommends a plan of action for resolving X.

7
Report Topics
  • An investigative focus on convincing a client to
    implement a particular solution to solve a
    problem (or realize an opportunity).
  • Proposes that the client authorize the writer to
    implement solution X, which will solve the
    clients problem.
  • Proposes that the client consider an alternate
    method, procedure, or product for meeting an
    existing need.

8
Questions?
  • Suggested Topics

9
Project Planning Worksheets
  • Purpose to help students
  • create a realistic plan for researching and
    developing their report
  • test the suitability of the topic
  • create a framework or research plan that will
    guide
  • their investigative efforts
  • their interpretive acts

10
Project Planning Worksheets
  • Worksheet 1 Problem and Solution Analysis
  • Analyzing problem
  • Identifying goals and criteria for effective
    solutions
  • Forecasting possible solutions

11
Project Planning Worksheets
  • Problem Analysis
  • Problem statement
  • Workplace context
  • Systems context
  • Negative consequences
  • Potential causes
  • Remedies in progress

12
Project Planning Worksheets
  • Criteria for Effective Solution(s)
  • Goals solution(s) should achieve
  • Criteria for evaluating solution(s)
  • Conditions constraining solution(s)

13
Project Planning Worksheets
  • Solution Analysis
  • How the solution solves the problem
  • Negative consequences eliminated
  • Positive consequences added
  • How the solution compares to other solutions
    (possibly, how the solution compares to doing
    nothing)

14
Project Planning Worksheets
  • Worksheet 2 Audience Analysis
  • Identifying audience groups
  • Analyzing audience characteristics

15
Project Planning Worksheets
  • Identifying audience groups
  • primary, secondary, tertiary
  • tangential or chance

16
Project Planning Worksheets
  • Analyzing audience characteristics
  • level of knowledge, experience
  • point of view (purpose, concerns)
  • attitude and motivation
  • learning needs and learning styles
  • expectations and assumptions

17
Project Planning Worksheets
  • Worksheet 3 Research Plan
  • Have identified
  • problem and solution(s) to be analyzed
  • context for the problem
  • audience groups for report
  • goals and criteria for evaluating the solution(s)
  • Need a rigorous method or research plan

18
Project Planning Worksheets
  • Worksheet 3 Research Plan
  • For each criterion identified,
  • identify required information (background
    information about criterion and information about
    solution in light of the criterion)
  • select methods for collecting information
    (observation, interviews, interaction w/system,
    review of literature or artifacts, questionnaires
    and surveys)
  • list resources available

19
Project Plan Proposals
  • Students propose their project plan to the
    instructor.
  • Students must convince the instructor that they
  • understand the clients problem
  • have identified appropriate criteria or goals for
    a successful solution
  • have developed a feasible schedule of activities
  • are qualified to perform this investigation and
    analysis

20
Drafts
  • Students draft their work and conference with the
    instructor before the final version is due.
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