Center for Communication Practices at Rensselaer (Formerly The Writing Center)

Some tips for writing better LITEC lab reports:

• Finish early. Leave yourself enough time to visit the Writing Center and to make any corrections.
• Write the report in present tense. This avoids confusion, especially when writing about code or circuitry. Only "Results and Conclusions" should be in past tense.
• Avoid over-use of either passive or active voice. Use the passive voice when agency is not important: "The potentiometer was connected to the EVB." and the active voice when it is: "After analyzing the data, we positioned the OTUs at the optimal angle."
• Use bold type to indicate code when it is discussed in the text of the report: int mode_select(void)
• Use italics to indicate the types of repetitive structures you are discussing: "a for loop"
• Avoid explaining schematics. Connections should only be explained when the functional relationship between components is not clear from the diagram.
• Avoid explaining components out of logical order. Move in one direction.
• Use gender-fair language. Tip sheets are available at the Writing Center.
• Visit the Writing Center as a team. Since the report reflects the work of the team, both members will benefit from the visit.
• Note that the main job of a Writing Center consultant is to assist in making your report more clear and correct; we are not simply an editing service.