Academic Writing

For an example of report writing, see 
Unit 4.5
Surveys

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226
Part 4:

Writing Models
3 Practice
The plans below illustrate two proposals for redeveloping a site on a university campus.
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Study the plans and then read the five sentences (a–e), which are the introduction to
a report on the redevelopment. The order of the sentences has been mixed up. Put
them in the correct order. Then write the rest of the report in about 250 words.
Plan A
Access road
Tennis courts
Park area
Trees and seats
Car park
20 spaces
Plan B
Access road
Café and shops
Swimming pool
Car park
50 spaces
(a) The report takes into account a consultation exercise with staff and students
carried out last autumn.
(b) Two alternatives schemes for redevelopment have been put forward, as can be
seen in Plans A and B above.
(c) This report attempts to compare the two schemes on this basis and to establish
which is the more suitable.
(d) The aim of the redevelopment is to improve facilities for both staff and
students, and at the same time enhance the appearance of this part of the
campus.
(e) Due to the recent closure of the maintenance depot, a site approximately 250
metres long and 100 metres wide has recently become vacant on the west side
of the university campus.

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4.4: Reports
227
4 Scientific reports
Scientific research
This is usually conducted in order to support a hypothesis or to validate the work of others.
An accurate written record of the experiment is important because it allows other researchers
to share your work. At graduate level or above, your research is adding to an international
body of data on your particular area of study.
In general, scientific reports follow the same guidelines as other academic writing in terms of
style and vocabulary. However, your department may well have its own requirements, for
example the organisation of a report, so it is advisable to ask if these exist.
Format
Reports of laboratory experiments in disciplines such as biology, chemistry and physics
generally include the following sections:
Title
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References
(a) Title
This should contain the essential elements of the report in (ideally) no more than 12 words:
The effect of temperature changes on the germination of wheat (Triticum aestivum)
(b) Abstract
The function of an abstract is to help a potential reader identify whether your report is
relevant to his or her research interests. It is essentially a summary in about 200 words of
each part of the report, and so it is commonly written after the last draft is finalized. It
should include the principal conclusions, and be written in the same tenses as the main
report.