Lab 2 Report Reminders
Due Tu Nov 1 at class time
Organization instructions in Lab Description
Document (LDD) on CULearn->Lab Info->
Lab 2. In particular,
Limit main body to 12 pages (excluding cover,
TOC, Appendices, references)
Identify Group Leader (GL) on cover or 1st page
GL provides a % evaluation of contribution of
group members - details in Slide 3
LDD figures may be downloaded from web
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
Exp Lab Attendance Reminders
If you miss your Lab group test without
cause, 50% of the group score is deducted
from your individual grade.
If you miss because of unavoidable conflict or a
justifiable reason, pls contact instructor ASAP.
Individual contributions are also evaluated
by Group Leader (next slide)
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
Group Leader Main Duties
Coordinates preparation & submission of lab report
Assesses individual contributions on a scale
of 0-100% and provides these to instructor & TAs
at report submission time.
Individual contributions may also be assessed by
peer evaluation (if group chooses to do so) but GL
assembles & submits those.
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
Better Tech Writing in 10’
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
Where Is The Report Beef?
Content
Organization
Writing
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
Contents and Organization
are governed by a basic rule
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
RAFI
Read And Follow
Instructions
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
Organization: Intro, Body, Conclusions
Tell’em what you are going to tell’em
Then tell’em
Then tell’em what told’em
Which one is most important?
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
For Lab Reports
Content should be a Group Activity
Use Accepted Tech Writing Practices
e.g. referencing by [.]
One Group Member (e.g., GL) Should
Crosscheck & Edit Final Version
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
Last But Not Least
 Content
 Organization
 Writing
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
Lab Writing Is Often Scary to Graders
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
Composition Pointers
 Use Plain Language, Avoid Hype
 Get to the Point!
 One Paragraph = One Theme
 Highlight by Contrast
 Finish Strong
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
Especially Important Is The SWAT Rule
Make the paragraph the unit of
composition: Stick With A Theme
For a song or poem, replace
“paragraph” by “verse”
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
Highlighting by Contrast Catches
the Reader’s Attention
Bland (in English):
He who knows only his own generation
always remains a child
Nescire autem quid antequam natus sis acciderit, id esse semper puerum (Cicero)
Stronger:
He not busy being born is busy dying
He not busy being born is busy dying
From: It’s allright Ma, I’m only bleeding (Dylan)
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
If Shakespeare Had Written a Lab Report
Alas, poor specimen! I knew it, Horatio.
A T-beam of infinite jest, of most excellent
fancy, ...
Good or NG?
NG for a report : too much hype
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
How About This Actual Sample?
OBJECTIVE
Structures are an important component of
modern aerospace engineering. Weight
savings is an essential part of designing
effective aerospace structures. The use of thin
wall structural members helps us to achieve
those weight savings. Furthermore ...
Grandmothering BS. We know that.
Now, how about the lab?
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
Is This One Better?
OBJECTIVE
The experimental tests for this lab were used to
verify and compare analytical models for torsion
of thin-wall sections with experimental data.
Both open thin wall (OTW) and closed thin wall
(CTW) sections are tested on a Tinius-Olsen
torsion machine at ITLL.
Yes. It skips the BS. One (common) grammar
error, can you spot it?
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
Common Grammar Error
OBJECTIVE
The experimental tests for this lab were used
to verify and compare analytical models for
torsion of thin-wall sections with
experimental data. Both open thin wall
(OTW) and closed thin wall (CTW) sections
are tested on a Tinius-Olsen torsion machine
at ITLL.
verb tense mismatch
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
Pay Attention to Paragraph Flowthrough
Propose or state a theme:
Is dropping out of college the end of it all?
Argue the theme (here w/ counterexamples):
No. Two well known dropouts: Steve Jobs and Bill
Gates, became rich & famous, and changed the world.
Finish with a punch the reader will remember:
One for the better,
one for the worse.
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
Readers Remember A Strong Finish
And I hope that you die, and your death will come soon.
I’ll follow your casket, in the pale afternoon.
I’ll watch as you’re lowered, into your deathbed.
And I’ll stand on your grave till I’m sure you’re dead.
And I hope that you give up, and yield will come soon.
I’ll follow your slippage, in a lab afternoon.
I’ll watch as you’re taken from the module deadly grasp,
And stand by the labstation, till I’m sure you have cracked.
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011
Better writing for $9
1st ed 1935!
also available on line from
http://www.bartleby.com/
University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011