Report Elements

Fact vs. Discussion

http://web.mit.edu/rnk/OldFiles/www/FactCat.png

Basic Report Elements

• Introduction• Method of Attaining Facts• Facts• Discussion• Conclusions• Recommendations

From Anderson, P. V. (2007). Technical communication: A reader-centered approach. Thomson/Wadsworth.

Fact: What do you know that is useful to us?

From Anderson, P. V. (2007). Technical communication: A reader-centered approach. Thomson/Wadsworth.

Facts are verifiable pieces of information.

• Laboratory data• Survey responses

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fact

Archaefructus sinensis

125 million years oldCollected in Liaoning Province, ChinaAlthough it had no petals, this ancient flower had closed fruits that protected the seeds inside. This evolutionary leap separated flowering plants from other plants and probably led to their great success.

On loan from the Florida Museum of Natural Historyhttp://www.mnh.si.edu/museum/news/firstflower/

From Anderson, P. V. (2007). Technical communication: A reader-centered approach. Thomson/Wadsworth.

Discussion: How do you interpret the facts from our point of view?

Discussion is an interpretation of your facts for your readers.

• Facts have no meaning• Meaning is socially constructed

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discussion

Archaefructus sinensis

125 million years oldCollected in Liaoning Province, ChinaAlthough it had no petals, this ancient flower had closed fruits that protected the seeds inside. This evolutionary leap separated flowering plants from other plants and probably led to their great success.

On loan from the Florida Museum of Natural Historyhttp://www.mnh.si.edu/museum/news/firstflower/

THE PROBLEM WITH FACTS.

http://www.wiefling.com/newsletters/fact.html

FEATURE FILMS ARE THE RESULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS

http://everydaytrash.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/marcel-duchamp-fountain.jpg

THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT

http://www.noogenesis.com/pineapple/blind_men_elephant.html