Good Writing Practices

Written documents will be graded under three categories:

1.-Correct grammar and neat presentation

Written reports should be proof-read to avoid trivial grammar errors and spelling. New sections clearly marked with extra line spacing, and bold or underlined titles.

2.-Logical arguments and structure

Avoid incorrect implications or conclusions of the type: if an egg is dropped on a white shirt leading to a yellowish spot, therefore, I can conclude that a yellowish spot on a white background should come from an egg. That is NOT true: a dropped egg leads to a yellowish spot, but a yellowish spot could come from spilled paint, yellow markers, etc.

However if there is a yellowish spot and it also smells egg, then most probably it came from an egg. This is correct! Make sure you make your arguments or conclusions logically and soundly.

When a statement or conclusion is made, it needs to be supported first by specific and relevant examples. Avoid unfounded and generic conclusions such as “I learned a lot”, or exaggerated ones such as “I learned electrical engineers made 50K a year, biomedical engineers need to be good at differential equations, I learned a lot”.

3.-Accurate report of the team project and completeness, and no plagiarism

By signing a written documentation you certify that the presented information truly reflects work performed and data obtained. Modifying data or ommitting important information are violations of the professional code of ethics. Also, work from other authors, if used, needs to be adecuately acknowledged in the form of references. Standard ways of citing a reference is:

If it is from the internet: the complete URL address and author’s or organization’s name if known: e.g. http://site.www.engineering.umb.edu/forum/1/Engineering_103

If it is from a book: author’s name(s), book title, edition number if any, year of publication, publisher, in that order

If it is from an journal article: author’s name(s), article title,complete journal name( can use standard abbreviations), volume number, issue number (if any), pages number, date of publicationI, in that order.

These references could be inserted within the text or listed together at the end of the document ordered by a reference numbers (the reference numbers will then be inserted in the text when needed).

Following good writing practices will add credibility, seriousness, and professionalism to your good work, make it stand out, and earn the reader’s respect and consideration, whoever that is.