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Genre Specifications

1. Abstract

2. Introduction

3. Procedures

4.

Results

5. Discussions

6. Conclusions

7.

References

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Abstract

!Around 200 Words

! Write this last, after you know your

results.

! Should provide the reader with a brief

summary of everything: the problem

being addressed, what you did

(methodology), your results, and whatthey mean.

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Common Abstract Errors

!

Too long or too short! Not specific enough

! Vagueness:!

Steels are one of the most widely used materials in the world andcontrolling the physical properties they possess has been an engineeringchallenge for years."

This introduction line is a little broad and student like. Id start with the second line.Remember all the information you provide should be useful to your audience andspecific to the experiment.

! Each sample was viewed under high magnifications and these

predictions were further investigated." Some vague language here. What does further investigated mean? What specifically

was investigated?

! Samples that had been water quenched had vast amounts of"

"

Vast is a little vague. Vast as compared to what? Use estimated percentages instead.! This experiment was performed to gain experience in metallography

through comparing steels..." This is student languagethe experiment was performed to demonstrate the effects of

varying cooling rates on heat treated stealput things in terms of what youre teachingyour audience, not in terms of what you learned

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Sample 1

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Sample 2

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Sample 3

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Introduction

! Under 2 Pages

! Creates a context for your entire report.

! Introduces the theory, definitions, diagrams,

and techniques that will be needed tounderstand the discussion section.

! Describes the goals of the experiment andwhy you are doing it.

!

Must balance what the reader does and doesnot need to know.

! Describes what you might expect to see.

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Common Introduction Errors

! Either giving too much or too little information.! Dont go into description of your specificprocedures,

yet.

! Dont give your reader information that wont be usefulin understanding the experiment. But give them all theinformation that they will need.

! What is common knowledge and what isnt?

! Dont give vague statements like Metallography isreally important to welding engineering. Without itengineering would not be what it is today. If you want

to tell us what metallography is and why its importantto what your experiment is about, thats ok. Butstartspecific and stay specific.

! Every piece of information you provide needs to relateto what youre doing in the experiment.