Mechanics of writing

The following suggestions are presented as a guide to writing and an as in avoiding some of the most common mistakes.

• Paragraph structure: Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that provides an overall understanding of the paragraph. Since each paragraph should have a single theme or conclusion, the topic sentence states that theme or conclusion.
• Sentence length: Sentences should be kept as short as possible so that their structure is simple and readable. Long sentences require complex construction, provide an abundance of opportunity for grammatical errors, lake considerable writing time, and slow the reader down. Long sentences are often the result of putting together two independent thoughts that could be stated better in a separate sentences.
• Pronouns: There is no room for any ambiguity between a pronoun and the noun for which it is used. Novice commonly use "it", "this", "that", etc., where it would be better to use one of several nouns. It may be clear to the writer, but it is often ambiguous to the reader. In general, Personal pronouns (I, you, he, she, my, mine, our, us) are not used in technical reports.
• Spelling and punctuation: Errors in these basic elements of writing in the final draft of the report are inexcusable.
• Tense: use the following rules when choosing the tense of the verb when writing
  • Past tense: Use to describe work done when you building or designing, or in general to the past events.
  • Present tense: Use in reference to items and ideas in the report itself
  • Future tense: Use in making prediction from the data or results that will be applicable in the future.

Presentation Style

Unlike the advertising executive, the engineer is ill-equipped to sell his ideas. Second hand information represented by the company officials may not answer all client's questions. In this write-up and during the semester, students will be given the opportunity to be trained in technical presentations. In this write-up the techniques of oral presentations are briefly discussed.