Handbook of Solid Waste Management and Waste Minimization Technologies by How to write an Engineering Preliminary Report
Your report is just to give a short introduction about your work or research paper, as you will be submitting your final paper in due course. The key is to give quick communication of information.
Basic Structure of a Report A report usually has these components:
· Title page
· Summary
· Table of Contents
· Introduction
· Middle sections with numbered headings
· Conclusions
· References
Title page
The title page gives:
The course name and number, the department and university
The title of the report
The authors' names
The date of submission
The summary
States the topic of the report
Outlines the most important findings of your investigation
States the key conclusions.
The introduction (~1/2-3/4 page) provides the background information needed for the rest of your report to be understood. It includes:
A clear statement of the purpose of the investigation
The background of the topic of your report
The body of the report
Presents the information from your research, both real world and theoretical
Organises information logically under appropriate headings
Uses figures and tables − can use bulleted or numbered lists
The Conclusion (~1-2 paragraphs) relates directly back to the aims of the investigation.
The Conclusions section provides an effective ending to your report. This section
States whether you have achieved the aims of your investigation
Gives a brief summary of the key information in your report
Restates the major findings of your investigation.
References
A list of references in the final section.
Citations show that information comes from another source. When you present the theory in the Introduction you must include citations which provide the source of this theory. Citations will also appear in the body of your report to give recognition to the authors of sources consulted.
Talk to your lecturer about the preferred citation or referencing style. IEEE or UJ Harvard.
