Work Report Guidelines Feb2013-1

8/12/2019 Work Report Guidelines Feb2013-1

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Ver. 1 - October 2002

Ver. 2 - uly 200!

Ver. 3.0 - "ece#ber 2010

Ver. 3.1 - anuary 2013

Ver. 3.2 - $ebruary 2013

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200 University Avenue West

Waterloo ON N2L 31

!anuary 11" 2013

Dr# !eff WestAsso$iate C%air" Undergraduate &tudies

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

University of WaterlooWaterloo ON N2L 31

Dear Dr# West'

(%is report" entitled )uidelines for Writing Wor* (erm +eports") ,as prepared for t%e

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering# (%e purpose of t%is report is to provide

guidelines for Civil and Environmental Engineering students to follo, in t%eir ,or* reports#

One re-uirement for professional a$$reditation is eviden$e of t%e a.ility to $ommuni$ateeffe$tively .ot% orally and in ,riting# A$$ordingly" students are e/pe$ted to use t%e ,or* reports

to improve t%eir report,riting and Englis% s*ills# (%e guidelines spe$ify t%e manner in ,%i$%

t%e reports are to .e presented#

Under t%e dire$tion of rofessor Eri$ &oulis" am employed .y t%e department as a mar*er of t%e

style and grammar -uality of ,or* term reports#

(%is report ,as ,ritten entirely .y me and %as not re$eived any previous a$ademi$ $redit at t%is

or any ot%er a$ademi$ institution# ,ould li*e to t%an* rofessor &oulis and Clayton organ for

assisting me during t%e preparation of t%e report# re$eived no ot%er %elp ,it% t%e report#

&in$erely"

4signature5

6ar. (rotterD7 00 000 000

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ui"elines or ri%ing or Ter Re,or%s

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

University of Waterloo

by

Barbara Trotter

Ric Soulis

Clay Morgan

Ver. 1 - October 2002

Ver. 2 - uly 200!

Ver. 3.0 - "ece#ber 2010

Ver. 3.1 - anuary 2013

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Ver. 3.2 - $ebruary 2013

Preface to Version 3.1

&in$e De$em.er 2010" t%ere %ave .een a fe, $%anges to t%e ,or* report grading

pro$edure# W8+(100 is no longer re-uired" and t%e ru.ri$ %as .een revised" and t%e mar*ing

s$%edule %as .een $%anged# (%e $%anges ,ill .e in$luded in 9ersion :#0" availa.le later t%is term#

n t%e meantime" details are availa.le t%roug% your $lass representatives#

9ersion 3#0 still remains a good des$ription of t%e general ,or* report p%ilosop%y# One

minor $%ange is t%at t%e ele$troni$ $itations must still .e referen$ed" .ut t%e supporting

appendi$es are optional 4pg#2;5#

9ersion 3#1" $orre$ts t%e erroneous page num.ering in 9ersion 3#0# 9ersion 3#2 repla$es

3#1 updates# t $orre$ts t%e pro$edures and des$ri.es t%e options for Con$lusions and

+e$ommendations# t also revises t%e rules for ele$troni$ referen$es#

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T%B&' O$ CO(T'(TS

%))en*i+ ' - Mar,ing Seet Pg. /

%))en*i+ $ - Sa#)le or, Re)ort Sce*ule Pg. /

..........................................................................................................................................................1

Su##ary........................................................................................................................................iiiTable of Contents...........................................................................................................................i4

&5ST O$ $567R'S........................................................................................................................4

&5ST O$ %PP'("5C'S................................................................................................................4

1. 5ntro*uction................................................................................................................................11#1 6a$*ground############################################################################################################################################################1

1#2 urpose of a Wor* (erm +eport ###########################################################################################################################2

1#3 &$ope of a Wor* (erm +eport #############################################################################################################################3

1#3#1 eneral ##########################################################################################################################################################3

1#3#2 Confidential +eports ######################################################################################################################################:

1#3#3 Audien$e ########################################################################################################################################################ront Cover 4no page num.er5

Letter of &u.mittal no page num.er

(itle age $onsidered to .ei" .ut not indi$ated

&ummary 4or E/e$utive &ummary5 page ii

A$*no,ledgments 4optional5 page iii if in$luded

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(a.le of Contents page iii or iv" depending on ,%et%er a$*no,ledgements are in$luded

List of (a.les page iv or v" depending on t%e lengt% of t%e list and ,%et%er

a$*no,ledgments are in$luded

List of >igures page iv or v" depending on t%e lengt% of t%e list and ,%et%er

a$*no,ledgments are in$luded

List of Appendi$es 4if appropriate5 page iv or v" depending on t%e lengt% of t%e list and

,%et%er a$*no,ledgments are in$luded

ain &e$tion .eginning ,it% t%e ntrodu$tion" page 1

Con$lusions

+e$ommendations 4optional5

+eferen$es

lossary 4optional5

Appendi$es" 4optional5

.1 $ront Co4er

>igure 1 illustrates t%e information re-uired on t%e front $over' t%e title" t%e employer" t%e

aut%orIs name and affiliation" and t%e date 4e#g#" De$em.er 2010 rat%er t%an De$em.er 22" 20105#

(%e front $over may .e en%an$ed ,it% relevant grap%i$sG %o,ever" it is important to maintain a

$lean and un$luttered appearan$e#

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$igure 1 &ayout of te front co4er of =or, ter# re)ort

12

%lternati4e ?ig=ay %lign#ents

for te @itcener-6uel) Corri*or

&mit% Engineering Consultants

.y

!o%n Doe

2A Civil Engineering

August 2000

(itle of t%e

report

Name of t%e

employer

Name" year and

program of t%e student

ont% and year


22/74

.2 &etter of Sub#ittal

(%e letter of su.mittal s%ould ad%ere to standard .usiness letter format rules and s%ould

.e dated and addressed to t%e in$um.ent Asso$iate C%air of Civil Engineering"

Undergraduate &tudies 4>igure 25# Unless you are using $ompany letter%ead" your %ome

address s%ould .e in$luded at t%e top of letter" follo,ed .y t%e date and addressee# (%e

addresseeIs information s%ould mat$% e/a$tly ,%at ,ould appear on t%e envelope# n a

formal .usiness letter" t%e $orre$t pun$tuation after t%e salutation is a $olon" e#g#" )Dear

&ir'#)

(%e letter s%ould identify t%e title of t%e ,or* report .eing su.mitted" t%e $ompany for

,%i$% you ,or*ed" your immediate supervisor" t%e num.er of t%e report 4i#e#" se$ond"

t%ird" et$#5" and a de$laration t%at t%e report ,as ,ritten .y you and %as not re$eived

a$ademi$ $redit at t%e University of Waterloo or any ot%er a$ademi$ institution# (%e

letter of su.mittal must .e signed#

.3 Title Page

(%e title page s%ould $ontain t%e same information as t%e front $over .ut must not $ontain

grap%i$s" illustrations" et$#

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$igure 2 Sa#)le letter of sub#ittal

1:

1000 8ing &treet Nort%

8it$%ener" ON N2 2(;

De$em.er 22" 2010

Dr# aria Anna ola*

Asso$iate C%air" Undergraduate &tudiesDepartment of Civil and Environmental EngineeringUniversity of Waterloo

Waterloo" ON N2L 31

Dear Dr# ola*'

(%is report" entitled )Alternative ig%,ay Alignments for t%e 8it$%eneruelp% Corridor") ,asprepared as my 26 Wor* +eport for &mit% Engineering Consultants# (%e purpose of t%is report is to

evaluate t%e impa$t of t%ree potential %ig%,ayrouting s$%emes for t%e proposed ig%,ay No# =realignment proFe$t slated for $ompletion in 201


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.! Su##ary

(%e &ummary se$tion is one of t%e most diffi$ult $omponents of a te$%ni$al report to ,rite ,ell#

(%e real aim of t%e &ummary is to $onvey t%e main points of a report to senior management

personnel ,%o do not usually .e$ome involved in te$%ni$al details# >or t%is reason" it is

sometimes la.eled E/e$utive &ummary# t s%ould .e ,ritten last and must .e ,ritten in full

senten$e form# (%e &ummary may .e t%oug%t of as a minireport of a.out 2igure

35# t must not e/$eed one page and s%ould in$lude t%e follo,ing'

1# t%e s$ope and purpose of t%e report 4in$luding .a$*groundrationale5G

2# t%e te$%ni$al approa$% ta*en" ,%i$% mig%t in$lude a dis$ussion of t%e alternatives

$onsidered and t%e maFor te$%ni$al findingsG and

3# t%e prin$ipal $on$lusions and re$ommendations#

t must not in$lude

1# ta.les and figures or

2# a dire$t referen$e to ta.les" figures" and se$tions $ontained in t%e main report#

. %c,no=le*g#ents

Hou may ,is% to a$*no,ledge t%e $ontri.utions made to t%e report .y ot%ers# >or e/ample" your

,or* term supervisor may %ave %elped you ,it% t%e pro.lem definition and supplied referen$es#

Hou may use t%e letter of su.mittal to a$*no,ledge t%e %elp you re$eived" or you may in$lude a

separate se$tion for t%at purpose# (%e A$*no,ledgements s%ould .e ,ritten in a formal manner

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$igure 3 Sa#)le su##ary )age

1@

Su##ary

(%e +egional uni$ipality of Waterloo is presently e/amining t%ree potential

routing s$%emes for t%e proposed realignment of ig%,ay No# = .et,een

8it$%ener and uelp%#

+oute A in$orporates a $omplete re$onstru$tion and upgrade of ig%,ay No#=

along t%e e/isting $orridor# +oute 6 involves a parallel alignment lo$ated nort%

of t%e e/isting rig%tof,ay# +oute C $onsists of a ne, %ig%,ay alignment

lo$ated sout% of t%e e/isting %ig%,ay alignment# (%is report presents an

evaluation of t%ese alternative %ig%,ay $orridor routes# An environmental impa$t

assessment and a preliminary $ost.enefit analysis are in$luded for ea$% route#

+oute 6" t%e least e/pensive %ig%,ay alignment" ,ould result in t%e destru$tion

of appro/imately 200 %a of an e/isting ,etland $omple/# +oute C represents a

$ompromise .et,een +outes A and 6# +ealignment of t%e %ig%,ay $orridor

sout% of t%e e/isting alignment ,ould minimiBe t%e loss of ,etland and prime

agri$ultural land" .ut t%e $urrent design ,ould .e $onsidera.ly more e/pensive to

$onstru$t and operate#

6ased on t%e findings of t%is study" furt%er $onsideration of t%e proposed %ig%,ay

+outes A and C is re$ommended#

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alt%oug% t%ey $an in$lude some te/t t%at e/presses personal sentiment" e#g#" gratefully t%an*

my supervisor for %er guidan$e#M

./ Table of Contents

(%e (a.le of Contents lists all t%e main se$tions of your report and any su.se$tions t%at %ave

%eadings 4>igures :" igure :5# f t%ey fit on t%e same page as t%e rest of t%e (a.le of Contents" t%en t%ey do not %ave

a page referen$e 4>igure igures# n t%at $ase" t%e

page ,%ere t%e List of Appendi$es is lo$ated is referen$ed in t%e (a.le of Contents ,it% a lo,er

$ase +oman numeral page num.er#

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$igure ! Sa#)le of a Table of Contents =it #ore tan tree a))en*ices an* lengty lists

of tables an* figures

1;

T%B&' O$ CO(T'(TS

age

&ummary##################################################################################################################PPP##ii

List of (a.les###########################################################################################################PPP#iv

List of >igures##########################################################################################################PPP##v

List of Appendi$es###################################################################################################PPP#vi

1#0 ntrodu$tion######################################################################################################PPP##1

1#1 6a$*ground###############################################################################################PPP##1

1#2 &$ope of &tudy##########################################################################################PPP##2

2#0 Alternative ig%,ay Alignments#####################################################################PPP##3

2#1 +oute A#####################################################################################################PPP##3

2#2 +oute 6#####################################################################################################PPP##:

2#3 +oute C#####################################################################################################PPP##:3#0 Environmental Analysis###################################################################################PPP##U+E&

>igure 1# E/isting ig%,ay No# = alignmentPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP##1

>igure 2# Alternative +oute APPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP##igure 3# Alternative +oute 6PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP##igure :# Alternative +oute CPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP##igure 15#)

(a.les and figures $an .e num.ered $onse$utively t%roug%out t%e report 41" 2" 3" :" et$#5 or

num.ered $onse$utively ,it%in ea$% se$tion 41#1" 1#2" 2#1" 2#2" et$#5# eadings or $aptions for

ta.les are pla$ed a.ove t%e ta.le ,%ile t%ose for figures are pla$ed .elo, t%e figure# (a.les and

figures t%at are a full page and t%at are lands$ape oriented s%ould .e positioned ,it% t%e top of

t%e page in t%e .inding# >igure @ illustrates t%e pla$ement of a ta.le ,it% an appropriate $aption

,it%in t%e te/t of a report# (%e figure in$ludes .ot% t%e te/t of t%e sample report and t%e

pla$ement of t%e ta.le after t%e te/t#

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>igure = illustrates t%e layout of a page $ontaining a grap% or plot# (%e figure in$ludes .ot% t%e

te/t of t%e sample report and t%e position of t%e figure# La.eling t%e a/es ,it% eit%er standard

terms or ones t%at %ave .een defined in t%e te/t is important" and t%ese la.els s%ould in$lude t%e

$igure / '+a#)le of a table inclu*e* in a =or, re)ort. 5t soul* be note* tat te table is

)resente* i##e*iately after it is first intro*uce* in te te+t.

units of measurement# (%e sym.ols used to plot different fun$tions on t%e same grap% s%ould .e

$learly differentiated" and t%ey s%ould .e identified in a legend or in t%e figure $aption# (%ey

23

t is e/pe$ted t%at t%e t%ree %ig%,ay alignments,ould result in different levels of usage.y lo$al motorists# (a.le 1 lists t%e preliminary traffi$ volume proFe$tions for ea$%

alternative#

Table 1. %ntici)ate* "aily Traffic Volu#es

+outingAlternative

Hear200igure ; illustrates

2:

(o estimate t%e volume of la*e sediment t%at must .e e/$avated" an average of t%e$rossse$tional areas .et,een t%e la*e transe$ts ,as $omputed using

( ) ( ) "2

1

2

121 LAALAAV CBBAT +++= 415

,%ere 9(is t%e total volume of la*e sediment to .e e/$avatedG AA"A6" and ACare t%e $ross

se$tional areas at se$tions AA" 66" and CC" respe$tivelyG and L1and L2represent t%e

distan$es .et,een $rossse$tions AA and 66 and 66 and CC" respe$tively#


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$igure 8 '+a#)le of an e9uation layout in a =or, re)ort

t%e typi$al pla$ement of an e-uation ,it%in a report#

;. Citations an* References

Citations and referen$es are meant to give aut%ority to t%e $ontents of t%e report and to dire$t t%e

reader to more details# >or simpli$ity and $larity" t%e list of referen$es is limited to pu.li$ations

t%at are $ited spe$ifi$ally in t%e te/t or used as sour$es for ta.les and figures# eneral referen$es

not $ited in t%e report s%ould not .e in$luded in t%e referen$e list#

(%ere are several alternative styles of do$umentation# (%is ,or* report follo,s t%e Ameri$an

sy$%ologi$al Asso$iation 4AA5 style" ,%i$% is summariBed in .ot% a$*er 41??@5 and 6u$*ley

420035# (%ese .oo*s also in$lude dis$ussions of $itations and referen$es# (%ese .oo*s are

availa.le in t%e University of Waterloo 6oo*store or t%e li.rary# Ot%er referen$es are availa.le

in se$tion E 1:0; of t%e Dana orter Li.rary# Appendi/ A of t%ese guidelines also $ontains

e/planations and e/amples of $ommon grammar errors# Appendi/ 6 $ontains $opies of t%e

over%ead transparen$ies used .y 6ar. (rotter in %er le$tures a.out $ommon grammar errors#

Appendi/ C is a $%e$*list of sample errors t%at your $omputer $an %elp you find#

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(%e follo,ing report e/$erpts 4in itali$s5 demonstrate $ommon e/amples t%at s%o, %o,

referen$es to literature s%ould .e $ited in t%e te/t and in$orporated in t%e referen$e list#

;.1 ournal Pa)ers

Lafontaine (1988) has measured wind loads on very tall exhaust stacs

in the minin! areas of the "ud#ury re!ion$

or

"everal authors have measured wind loads on tall exhaust stacs in the

minin! areas of the "ud#ury re!ion (Lafontaine% 1988& 'un!% 198)% and

these measurements have #een used to esta#lish desi!n wind loads$

(%e referen$e list ,ould t%en $ontain t%e follo,ing'

Lafontaine" #W# 41?;;5# Wind load measurements on smelter e/%aust sta$* in

t%e &ud.ury region#ournal of *ind +n!ineerin!" 1=4# 41?;25# Drag $oeffi$ients for large stru$tures# ournal of "tructural

+n!ineerin!" 21435" ??103#

tali$s are used to emp%asiBe t%e do$ument title used in a li.rary sear$% .e$ause aut%ors of

individual papers pu.lis%ed in Fournals are not listed in li.rary $atalogues#

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;.2 Boo,s

,cCarthy (1988) descri#es the analytical method that is most commonly used for

slo-e sta#ility analysis of the marine clays in the "t$ Lawrence Valley$


$Cart%y" D#># 41?;;5# +ssentials of "oil ,echanics and .oundations/ Basic

0eotechnics# renti$e all" Engle,ood Cliffs" N!#

;.3 Tecnical Re)orts

0eometric desi!n standards for maor arterial roads are s-ecified #y the 2ntario

,inistry of Trans-ortation (3i!hway 4esi!n Branch% 199)$


ig%,ay Design 6ran$%# 41??25# 0eometric 4esi!n "tandards for 2ntario$

inistry of (ransportation of Ontario" Do,nsvie," ON#

An important prin$iple in $iting pu.lis%ed literature is t%at an individual reading a report s%ould

readily .e a.le to o.tain t%e referen$e materials# As mu$% as possi.le" avoid $iting o.s$ure

papers and personal $ommuni$ations" for e/ample" as t%ese may not .e a$$essi.le to a reader of a

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report# Hou $an give $redit to t%ese sour$es of information in your letter of su.mittal or t%e

a$*no,ledgments#

;.! 'lectronic Sources

Ele$troni$ sour$es are relatively ne," and many suggestions for met%ods of referen$ing t%em are

availa.le# (%e department %as sele$ted t%e follo,ing guidelines# (%e important $onsideration is

t%at t%e reader needs to .e a.le to a$$ess your sour$es# tems are to .e $ited in t%e te/t ,it% t%e

aut%or and date as usual# >or e/ample"

5utall (1999) has -u#lished a different o-inion of ,67$

(%is item ,ould appear in t%e list of referen$es as follo,s'

Nutall" C# 42< &eptem.er 1???5# ts on 3 .ut li*e it#

%ttp'ne,s#..$#$o#u*%ienglis%s$ite$%ne,sidQ::3000::30;@#stm 4retrieved ?

April 20005#

(%e o.Fe$tive of referen$ing is to dire$t t%e reader to t%e original sour$e# (%e U+L and t%e sear$%

engine ,it% *ey ,ords are used to lo$ate t%e ne, referen$e#

f t%e aut%or is not identified" use t%e name of t%e $ompany or organiBation t%at posted t%e ,e.

site# Use t%e date last updated as t%e date of pu.li$ation# f t%ere is no date listed" use t%e date

you a$$essed t%e site# (%e date of a$$ess is important to in$lude in any $ase .e$ause t%e ,e.

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page may %ave $%anged sin$e you used it" and t%e reader may not .e a.le to find t%e information

,it%out *no,ing t%e date#

8. 6lossary

f a glossary is needed" it s%ould follo, t%e last referen$e page# f your report involves

parti$ularly spe$ialiBed vo$a.ulary" in$lude a glossary of termsG ot%er,ise" it is unne$essary#

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References

Andre,s" #C# and +atB" #C# 41??@5# ntroduction to 6rofessional +n!ineerin!

4


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%))en*i+ % - Co##on 6ra##ar 'rrors

'+)lanation of sy#bols use* for #ar,ing =or, re)ort gra##ar$or a**itional infor#ation: see in*icate* sections of Buc,leyAs Checkmatean* ?ac,erAsA

Canadian Writer's Reference

31


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ab a4oi* abbre4iations in a for#al re)ort

Hou may use i#e#" e#g#" and et$#" as ,ell as a..reviations for units of measure# All ot%er ,ords

s%ould .e used in full" su$% as t%e names of days of t%e ,ee*" mont%s" streets" provin$es" et$#

%CR *efine acrony#s te first ti#e you use te#

f t%e a$ronym is a $ommonly understood term" su$% as C or LAN" you may use it ,it%outdefining it# A useful guideline may .e ,%et%er all instru$tors and students in t%e >a$ulty of

Engineering ,ould *no, t%e term# W%en you de=:fine an a$ronym" use t%e $omplete ,ords

first" follo,ed .y t%e a$ronym in parent%eses# Hou may t%en use t%e a$ronym alone in t%e

remainder of t%e report#

Corre$t inistry of (ransportation 4O(5

a* a*4erb or a*ecti4e error Buc,leyD?ac,er 6!

AdFe$tives des$ri.e nounsG adver.s des$ri.e ver.s" adFe$tives" and ot%er adver.s#

n$orre$tDrive slo,# 4DriveM is a ver. and must .e modified .y an adver.# &lo,M is an

adFe$tive#5Corre$t Drive slo,ly#

agr faulty agree#entBuc,leyD?ac,er 61: 63

&u.Fe$ts and ver.s must agree in num.erG pronouns must agree in num.er and gender ,it% t%e

nouns t%ey refer to#

n$orre$t (%e statisti$al information a.out t%e t%ree $ompanies are listed on t%e nternet#4nformationM is t%e su.Fe$t of t%e ver. and is singularG t%erefore" t%e ver. must .e

singular#5Corre$t (%e statisti$al information a.out t%e t%ree $ompanies is listed on t%e nternet#

n$orre$t Ea$% user sat at t%eir o,n terminal# 4(%e pronoun t%eirM is plural and $annot stand

for a singular noun user#M5Corre$t Ea$% user sat at %is or %er o,n terminal#

(%e users sat at t%eir respe$tive terminals#

art article 4a" an" t%e5#issing or article not re9uire* Buc,ley B1: ?ac,er T1

Arti$les are $omple/ in Englis%G %o,ever" t%e most $ommon arti$le errors are t%e use of asingular" $ounta.le noun ,it%out an arti$le and t%e use of t%eM in$orre$tly# Counta.le nouns are

ones t%at %ave a plural form and t%erefore $an .e $ounted" su$% as .oo*s" ta.les" %ats" et$#G .y

$ontrast" non$ounta.le nouns %ave only a singular form" su$% as information" soft,are" musi$"et$# A singular $ounta.le noun must .e pre$eded .y an arti$le" aM or anM for general and t%eM

for spe$ifi$ nouns#

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n$orre$t (%e e/periment ,as a su$$ess" %o,ever" t%e model %as no pra$ti$al appli$ations#

Corre$t (%e e/periment ,as a su$$essG %o,ever" t%e model %as no pra$ti$al appli$ations# (%e e/periment ,as a su$$ess# o,ever" t%e model %as no pra$ti$al appli$ations#

(%e e/periment ,as a su$$ess" .ut furt%er options need to .e e/plored#

*# *angling #o*ifier Buc,ley S1-e: ?ac,er '3-e

A dangling modifier is often t%e )ing) form of a ver. ,it% no )doer) spe$ified# a*e sure t%at,%enever an a$tion is implied in a des$riptive p%rase t%e noun des$ri.ed is t%e doerM of t%e

a$tion#

n$orre$t 6y repla$ing t%e se,er system" t%e life of t%e infrastru$ture ,ould .e prolonged#

4(%e life is not doing t%e repla$ing#5

Corre$t 6y repla$ing t%e se,er system" t%e $ity ,ill prolong t%e life of t%e infrastru$ture#

f t%e se,er system is repla$ed" t%e life of t%e infrastru$ture ,ill .e prolonged#

Loo* for senten$es t%at .egin ,it% W%en doing P"M 6y doingP"M W%ile doingP"M et$# f

you re,rite t%e senten$e ,it%out t%e ing"M you %ave a .etter $%an$e of avoiding a danglingmodifier#

frag sentence frag#ent Buc,ley 6: ?ac,er 6

A senten$e must .e a $omplete t%oug%t" not a pie$e of a t%oug%t#

n$orre$t W%en t%e $ompany de$ided to implement t%e proposal#

Corre$t W%en t%e $ompany de$ided to implement t%e proposal" many of t%e managers

o.Fe$ted#

fs fuse* sentence Buc,ley 6/: ?ac,er 6/

(,o independent $lauses 4$omplete t%oug%ts5 $annot .e Foined ,it%out pun$tuation# Use aperiod" a semi$olon" or a $omma and a $onFun$tion#

n$orre$t et%od A is prefera.le to met%od 6 it $osts less#Corre$t et%od A is prefera.le to met%od 6G it $osts less#

et%od A is prefera.le to met%od 6# t $osts less#

et%od A is prefera.le to met%od 6" and it $osts less

y)en #issing or not re9uire* Buc,ley M2: ?ac,er S2

f t,o or more ,ords t%at are not adFe$tives are used toget%er as one madeupM adFe$tive t%atsays ,%at *ind ofM and t%ey appear .efore t%e noun" t%ey are %yp%enated# f t%ey appear after

t%e noun" t%ey are not %yp%enated#

Corre$t (%e 6om.s%elter is an on$ampus pu.#

(%e 6om.s%elter is a pu. on $ampus#

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44/74

A stateoft%eart $omputer is e/pensive#

E/$eption' Adver.s t%at end in ly are not %yp%enated#

Corre$t a ,ellregarded professor

a %ig%ly regarded professor

#i+e* #i+e* construction - Buc,ley S3: ?ac,er '

i/ed $onstru$tion indi$ates a senten$e t%at $ontains elements t%at do not sensi.ly fit toget%er#

Hou $annot .egin ,it% one grammati$al plan and s,it$% ,it%out ,arning to anot%er#

n$orre$t (%e results ranged .et,een 300 to romM is

follo,ed .y to#M

Corre$t (%e results ranged .et,een 300 and


45/74

no : no co##a Buc,ley P2: ?ac,er P2

E se#i-colon error Buc,ley P3: ?ac,er P3

F colon error Buc,ley P!: ?ac,er P!

A a)ostro)e error Buc,ley P: ?ac,er P

)ar or G ne= )aragra) nee*e* Buc,ley 3: ?ac,er C3

A paragrap% s%ould .e a.out only one topi$# (%e initial senten$e" $alled t%e topi$ senten$e"s%ould indi$ate t%e su.Fe$t of t%e paragrap%# W%en you $%ange topi$s" you need to $%ange

paragrap%s#

)ass ineffecti4e )assi4e Buc,ley 7!-c: ?ac,er !-c: 62-

n a$tive voi$e" t%e su.Fe$t of t%e senten$e is t%e doerM of t%e a$tion" and t%e o.Fe$t is t%e

re$eiver of t%e a$tion# n t%e passive voi$e" t%e su.Fe$t of t%e senten$e is t%e re$eiver of t%ea$tion" and t%e doerM is t%e indire$t o.Fe$t" usually after .y#M (%e a$tive voi$e is $onsidered to

.e more effe$tive ,riting t%an t%e passive .e$ause it is s%orter and it spe$ifies at t%e .eginning of

t%e senten$e ,%o is doing t%e a$tion# n .usiness and te$%ni$al ,riting" very often you ,is% notto spe$ify t%e doer:M and t%e impersonal passive is permitted# (%e doerM is not spe$ified#

o,ever" if t%e doer is spe$ified usually after .yM t%en you $an put t%e senten$e into t%e

a$tive voi$e#

A$tive (%e engineer solved t%e pro.lem# 4use5

assive (%e pro.lem ,as solved .y t%e engineer# 4avoid5

mpersonal passive (%e pro.lem ,as solved# 4use5

)l )lural for# of te noun is re9uire* or is incorrect

(%is error is often $onne$ted ,it% t%e arti$le error# f t%e noun is $ounta.le" t%at is" if it %as a

plural form" you must not use it in t%e singular ,it%out an arti$leG %o,ever" you may pluraliBe t%e

noun rat%er t%an adding t%e arti$le#

n$orre$t+eport from t%e ministry indi$ated t%e re-uired $%anges#

Corre$t (%e 4or A5 report from t%e ministry indi$ated t%e re-uired $%anges#

+eports from t%e ministry indi$ated t%e re-uired $%anges#

)re) incorrect or #issing )re)osition

repositions are $onne$ting ,ords# (%ey %ave a noun or a pronoun as an o.Fe$t and form p%rases

t%at fun$tion as eit%er adFe$tives or adver.s# (%e preposition used in any parti$ular senten$e is

determined .y idiom" t%at is" .y $ustom over time#

n$orre$t(%e department de$ided to pu.lis% an analysis on t%e pro.lem#

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46/74

Corre$t (%e department de$ided to pu.lis% an analysis of t%e pro.lem#

re* re*un*ant Buc,ley 72-a: ?ac,er 2-a

An important goal in te$%ni$al and .usiness ,riting is .revity# +edundant ,ords repeat t%e

meaning already stated#

n$orre$t 9arious different sour$es all provided t%e same statisti$s#

Corre$t 9arious sour$es provided t%e same statisti$s#

ref error in )ronoun referenceD4ague reference Buc,ley 63-b: ?ac,er 63-b

Ea$% pronoun must refer $learly to only one noun# (%is"M t%at"M and ,%i$%M are pronouns#

W%en t%ese ,ords are used to indi$ate ,%ole senten$es or paragrap%s" t%e error is $alled a vague

referen$e# Hou $an $orre$t a vague referen$e .y adding a noun#

n$orre$t et%od A produ$es .etter results if t%e temperature is monitored# (%is must .e

$arefully supervised#

Corre$t et%od A produ$es .etter results if t%e temperature is monitored# (%is pro$ess must.e $arefully supervised#

re) re)etiti4e =or* coice Buc,ley 72-b: ?ac,er 2-b

sift *istracting sift in tense or )erson Buc,ley S2: ?ac,er '!

aintain $onsistent tense# &tay in t%ird person %e" s%e" it" t%ey" nouns# Do not use ,eM or

you#M

S.5. Pro4i*e te S.5. e9ui4alent

s) #iss)elle* =or*

Use t%e spell$%e$*er#

t error in 4erb tense Buc,ley 62-f: ?ac,er 62-f

aintain $onsistent tenses# Consistent does not mean identi$alG it means t%at you ,rite your

report from one perspe$tive ,it% respe$t to time# t must .e $lear to t%e reader ,%et%er t%e

proFe$t %as not yet .egun" ,%et%er it is in progress" or ,%et%er it %as .een $ompleted# &tatementst%at are universally true" su$% as t%e la, of gravity" are al,ays in t%e present tense# (%e present

tense is also used to dis$uss t%e $ontents of t%e report#

n$orre$t (%is report ,ill dis$uss t%e options availa.le to t%e $ompany#

Corre$t (%is report dis$usses t%e options availa.le to t%e $ompany#

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47/74

4b incorrect for# of te 4erb Buc,leyD?ac,er 62

Use t%e grammati$ally $orre$t forms of ver.s#

n$orre$t (%e e/periment run $orre$tly#Corre$t (%e e/periment ran $orre$tly#

(%e e/periment ,as run $orre$tly#

= =or*y Buc,ley 72: ?ac,er 2

6e $on$ise# Eliminate unne$essary ,ords#

n$orre$t n order to $orre$t t%e pro.lem" t%e $ompany %ired an e/pert due to t%e fa$t t%at t%e

pro$ess ,as $omple/#

Corre$t 6e$ause t%e pro$ess ,as $omple/" t%e $ompany %ired an e/pert to $orre$t t%epro.lem#

=c =or* coice is incorrect: too infor#al: or too 4ague Buc,ley 73: ?ac,er 1: 3:

!

Use $orre$t" formal" standard language t%at t%e reader is e/pe$ting# Avoid vague ,ords" su$% ast%ingsM or do somet%ing#M C%e$* t%e spe$ifi$ e/amples in se$tion 6< of Appendi/ 6#

DD faulty )arallelis# Buc,ley S: ?ac,er'1

tems in .alan$ed e/pressions and lists re-uire $onsistent grammati$al stru$ture#

n$orre$t t is easier to %it t%e $omputer t%an determining t%e pro.lem# 4not parallel to %itM isan infinitiveG determiningM is a parti$iple#5

Corre$t t is easier to %it t%e $omputer t%an to determine t%e pro.lem#

itting t%e $omputer is easier t%an determining t%e pro.lem#

H unclear: or error in general usage: but te #ar,er =on*ers =eter it is correct for

tecnical )ur)oses

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%))en*i+ B - Barb Trotter


49/74

Part %. 6oo* Practice

7se te Ci4il 'ngineering 6ui*elines.

7se te s)ecifie* or*er of )ages an* sections.

7se te s)ecifie* for#at for titleDco4er )age.

$or te letter of sub#ittal: use stan*ar* business letter for#at an* a**ress your letter

to te incu#bent %ssociate Cair: 7n*ergra*uate Stu*ies.

Tables an* $igures

1# +eferen$e in pre$eding te/t use t%e full ,ord and $apitaliBe it#

>igure 1# Do not say seeM itIs redundant and se$ond person#2# osition in te/t ta.les and figures s%ould follo, a#s#a#p# after .eing mentioned in t%e

te/t" i#e#" t%e ne/t paragrap% or t%e ne/t page#3# osition of %eadings (a.le top

>igure .ottom

:# Lands$apeoriented ta.les and figures t%e .ottom of t%e ta.le or figure is at t%e outside

edge of t%e page#

"o not )ut ea*ings or te lea*-in to a list by te#sel4es at te botto# of a )age. Tey

belong =it teir sections.

7se S.5. units or gi4e te S.5. e9ui4alent in )arenteses.

$or References: use te #eto* s)ecifie* in te gui*elines.

%i# for a )rofessional a))earance.

5f you use bloc, for#at =it all lines left ustifie*: you


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51/74

Correct by #a,ing te subect te *oer of te action.

Wal*ing %ome t%at evening" =efound our ,ay lit .y t%e moon#

Correct by re=riting.

We ,al*ed %ome t%at evening ,it% t%e moon lig%ting our ,ay#

(%at evening" t%e moon lit our ,ay %ome#

'+a#)le 2. W%en pur$%asing soft,are" $ost s%ould .e t%e primary $onsideration#

4Dangling $ost isnIt pur$%asing t%e soft,are#5

Correct by using te i#)ersonal )assi4eF

W%en soft,are is )urcase*" $ost s%ould .e t%e primary $onsideration#

'+a#)le 3. 6y ta*ing $areful measurements" t%e pro.lem ,as solved# 4Dangling t%e

pro.lem didnIt ta*e t%e measurements#5

Correct by using a gerun* )artici)le use* as a nounF

Ta,ing$areful measurements solved t%e pro.lem#

Oter e+a#)lesF

W%ile employed at A6C Company" my resear$% ,as devoted to $on$rete#

4Dangling t%e resear$% ,asnIt employed#5

W%ile ,as employed at A6C Company" my resear$% ,as devoted to $on$rete#

(o re$eive a re.ate" a report must .e filed# 4Dangling t%e report doesnIt re$eive are.ate#5

>or t%e $ompany to re$eive a re.ate" a report must .e filed.

B.2 Co##as an* Oter Punctuation

Commas are stru$tural indi$ators t%ey set off t%e e/tra .itsM in a senten$e#

1. Put a co##a after intro*uctory =or* grou)s: tat is: =or*s: )rases: or clauses tat

a))ear before te subect of te #ain clause.

n$orre$t >or any lo$ation ,it%in t%e dra,ing information appli$a.le to t%e $ase must .espe$ified#

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Corre$t >or any lo$ation ,it%in t%e dra,ing" information appli$a.le to t%e $ase must .e

spe$ified#

2. 7se a co##a before *escri)ti4e ele#ents at te en* of a sentence: suc as a )artici)ial

)rase.

(%e ne, system regulated many of t%e $ityIs fa$ilities" in$luding se,ers#

3. 7se co##as aroun* )arentetical e+)ressions inserte* in te #i**le of a sentence.

y professor" Dr# &mit%" li*es us to stay a,a*e in $lass#

!. 7se co##as to in*icate non-restricti4e ele#ents e+tra infor#ation.

>or $amp" t%e $%ildren needed $lot%es t%at ,ere ,as%a.le# 4Pt%at ,ere ,as%a.leM is

restri$tive#5>or $amp" t%e $%ildren needed sturdy s%oes" ,%i$% ,ere e/pensive# 4P,%i$% ,ere

e/pensiveM is e/traG sturdyM is t%e restri$tive part#5

. "o not )ut a co##a bet=een t=o ite#s oine* =it a conunction unless te ite#s are

in*e)en*ent clauses.

(%e engineer and t%e a$$ountant ,or*ed overtime# 4aK.5y

(%e engineer ,or*ed overtime and $omplained a.out it# a 4/Ky5

(%e engineer ,or*ed overtime" and t%e a$$ountant $omplained a.out it#

n$orre$t (%e river runs .eside t%e road and t%e po,er plant and t%e dam are near.y#

Corre$t (%e river runs .eside t%e road" and t%e po,er plant and t%e dam are near.y#

/. Put a co##a after te secon* last ite# in a series.

Civil engineers ,rite interesting reports a.out $on$rete" traffi$" and pipelines#

;. "o not )ut one co##a bet=een te subect an* its 4erb.

n$orre$t (%e main $on$ern a.out implementing t%e proposal" is t%e $ost#

Tere can be t=o co##as bet=een te subect an* its 4erb.

(%e .oo*" ,%i$% %ad already read" ,as on t%e ta.le#

8. cs co##a s)lices

(%ese are t%e $%oi$es for Foining t,o independent $lauses'

G# (

" and 4or anot%er $onFun$tion5

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. Conuncti4e a*4erbsF o=e4er: terefore

5f tey a))ear bet=een t=o co#)lete sentences: tey are )unctuate* eiter =it a

se#i-colon or =it a )erio*F

read a report a.out side,al*sG %o,ever" do not understand ,%at t%e alligators are doing,it% t%e polygons#

(%e $on$rete did not slump# (%erefore" t%e side,al*s ,ill not %ave alligator $ra$*s#

5f tey a))ear =itin one co#)lete sentence: tey are )unctuate* =it co##as as

follo=sF

(%e load" %o,ever" ,as $al$ulated in$orre$tly#

10. F -- colon

I FI meansan* tat is

or

an* tey are

Jou soul* not )lace a colon bet=een a 4erb an* its co#)letion or bet=een a

)re)osition an* its obect.

(%e reasons are (%e reasons are t%e follo,ing'1# 1#

2# 2#

3# 3#

(%e report ,as ,ritten .y

1#

2#3#

(%e e-uation is (%e e-uation is as follo,s'

aR. aR.

,%ere a and . are varia.les ,%ere a and . are varia.les

11. Ese#i-colons a4e only t=o uses

a % se#i-colon as te sa#e =eigt as a )erio*. 5t nee*s an in*e)en*ent clause co#)lete

sentence on eiter si*e. 7se it =en te t=o i*eas are closely connecte*.

never use semi$olonsG donIt *no, ,%ere to put t%em#

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54/74

b 5n a list of tree or #ore ite#s: if at least one ite# as internal )unctuation: se)arate

te ite#s =it se#i-colons.

(%e ele$tives ,ere Englis%G &o$iologyG &e/uality" arriage and t%e >amilyG and

E$onomi$s#

B.3 ## #is)lace* #o*ifier

Mo*ifiers a*ecti4es an* a*4erbs are )lace* ne+t to te =or*s tey #o*ify. KOnlyL is a

restrictor: =ic is li,e a #ulti)lier an* restricts =ate4er co#es i##e*iately after it. Te

)osition of KonlyL in te follo=ing sentences canges te #eaning accor*ing to =ere it is

)lace*.

a K . K $ K d

e ,al*ed on t%e road#

a K 2. K $ K d a K . K $ K 2d

e only ,al*ed on t%e road# e ,al*ed on t%e only road#

a K . K 2$ K d 2a K . K $ K d

e ,al*ed only on t%e road# Only %e ,al*ed on t%e road#

Te sa#e rules a))ly to oter restrictors )ri#arily: ust: #ainly: etc.

Too #any #o*ifiersF

(%e general#anagerde$ided to implement t%e poli$y re$ommended .y t%e Engineering

Department t%at ,ould redu$e t%e $ost of t%e proFe$t to gain a $ompetitive edge#

(o gain a $ompetitive edge" t%e general manager implemented t%e $ostredu$ing poli$y

re$ommended .y t%e Engineering Department#

'+)ressions of ti#e: )lace: an* )ur)ose tat #o*ify te entire sentence soul* be )lace* at

te beginning of te sentence.

B.! y)ens

(%e 6om.s%elter is an on$ampus pu.#(%e 6om.s%elter is a pu. on $ampus#

We sa, t%ree .ig gray ,%ales# 4no %yp%ens5

.oug%t a stateoft%eart $omputer#

An old $ar repairman t%e man is old

An old$ar repairman t%e $ars are old

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55/74

set u): bac, u): log on: etcF

en eac of te abo4e ter#s is use* as a 4erb: it is t=o =or*s. 5f use* as a noun or

a*ecti4e: it is one =or* or y)enate*. $or e+a#)le"

e set up t%e $omputer system#

(%e $omputer setup 4or setup5 ,or*s very ,ell#

B. c =or* coice

becauseDas

K%sL can be use* to #ean KbecauseL as long as tere is no )ossibility tat it =ill be

#isinter)rete* to #ean K=ile.L

(%e pro$ess is implemented as t%e $ontainer .e$omes very %ot# 4am.iguous5

en in *oubt: use KbecauseL or K=ile.L

%ffectDeffect

%ffect is usually a 4erb. K%L for action =or*.

'ffect is usually a noun. t' 'ffect

(%e results of t%e e/periment ,ere affe$ted .y t%e effe$ts of %umidity and

temperature#

i.e. tat is te =ole set

e.g. for e+a#)le a subset

(%e ,eat%er" i#e#" atmosp%eri$ $onditionsP

(%e ,eat%er" e#g#" rain and sno,P

(ote tat bot abbre4iations are follo=e* by a co##a tey are )arentetical.

ifD=eter

"o not use KifL =en you #ean K=eter.L K5fL i#)lies one con*itionE K=eterL i#)lies t=o.

,onder ,%et%er it ,ill rain#f it rains" ,e ,ill $an$el t%e pi$ni$#

allo= for #a,e allo=ance forE allo= )er#it

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"o not a** te KforL if te sentence =or,s =itout it.

(%e $al$ulations allo,ed for t%e ,eig%t of t%e sno,#

(%e system allo,ed users to log on#

as =ell as in a**ition to

"o not use Kas =ell asL =ere Kan*L =ill *o.

n$orre$t (%e $ompany needed to redu$e its emissions of $%lorine" $ar.on mono/ide as ,ell

as oBone#

Corre$t (%e $ompany needed to redu$e its emissions of $%lorine" $ar.on mono/ide" andoBone#

(%e $ompany needed to redu$e its emissions of $%lorine and $ar.on mono/ideas

,ell ast%at of oBone#

tat

ensure tat: )ro4i*e tat: reco##en* tat: etc.

Tese =or*s are follo=e* by a *irect obect a noun or a noun clause.

5f te obect is a clause: it soul* begin =it te =or* KtatL to in*icate tat a 4erb follo=s.

n$orre$t (o ensure an a$$urate des$ription of events is presented" s%e reads t%e reports

$arefully#Corre$t (o ensure t%at an a$$urate des$ription of events is presented" s%e reads t%e reports

$arefully#

n$orre$t Every.ody *no,s a tur*ey and some mistletoe %elp to ma*e t%e season .rig%t#Corre$t Every.ody *no,s t%at a tur*ey and some mistletoe %elp to ma*e t%e season .rig%t#

Reco##en*

"o not use an infiniti4e after reco##en*.

n$orre$t t is re$ommended to pu.lis% t%is report#

Corre$t t is re$ommended t%at t%e report .e pu.lis%ed#

"o not begin a sentence =it Kalso.L 7se Kin a**itionL or Kfurter#oreL or )lace teKalsoL =itin te sentence.

K"ataL is to be use* for te )lural only.

7se K*atu#L for te singular.

K%s sucL *oes not #ean Kterefore.L KSucL is a )ronoun tat #ust stan* for a noun.

%s,: K%s =atHL 5f te ans=er is not te noun i##e*iately )rece*ing te sentence: use

Kterefore.L

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57/74

n$orre$t (%e proFe$t is .e%ind s$%edule# As su$%" it ,ill not .e $ompleted in time for

inspe$tion# Suc *oes not refer to sce*uleCorre$t (%e proFe$t is .e%ind s$%edule# (%erefore" it ,ill not .e $ompleted in time for

inspe$tion#Corre$t (%e proFe$t is a governmentfunded initiative# As su$%" it re-uires government

approval# Suc *oes refer to initiati4e

B./ Constructions Ti)s

D slas

"o not insert s)aces on eiter si*e of a slas.

n$orre$t (%e guidelines spe$ify t%e ,ays to treat ta.les and or figures#Corre$t (%e guidelines spe$ify t%e ,ays to treat ta.les andor figures#

Mi+e* constructions

Be careful to use te correct co#bination of =or*s in e+)ressions.

not onlyP.ut also

.et,eenPand

fromPto

(%e values range .et,een @ to 10# 4in$orre$t5(%e values range from @ to 10#

Note t%at )) is a su.stitute for )to)# (%us" )@10) is t%e same as )@ to 10)#

Countable nouns

Countable nouns are e+)ressions of in*i4i*ual units: suc as #arbles. Tey a4e a )lural

for#.

(on-countable nouns: suc as infor#ation or soft=are: are lu#)s. Tey cannot be use* inte )lural. "ifferent =or*s acco#)any countable an* non-countable nounsF

an a#ountof ,or*" .ut a nu#berof employees

fe=er$al$ulations" .ut less*no,ledge

5n)ut: soft=are: an* i#)act are not countable an* #ay not be use* in te )lural.

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= =or*y

Be concise. "o not use #ore =or*s tan you nee* to state te #eaning clearly. "o not use

4ague =or*s: suc as Kso#e:L Ka lot:L Ktings:L K*o so#eting:L etc. %4oi* te use of

Itere isI or Itere areI an* IitI as an in*efinite )ronoun.

All t%e .eams ,ere designed .ased on t%e spe$ies of ,ood .eing Douglas fir#

4,ordy5

All t%e .eams ,ere designed for Douglas fir#

t is good pra$ti$e to $%e$* t%e results# 4,ordy5

C%e$*ing t%e results is good pra$ti$e#

agr agree#ent

Te 4erb #ust agree in nu#ber =it te subect.

(%e $on$rete slumps# (%e engineerIs s%oulders slump#

(ote tat a co#)oun* subect is )lural.

n$orre$t A ,est.ound leftturn lane and an east.ound a$$eleration lane isproposed#

Corre$t A full assessment of t%e present $onditions and a $omplete $ost estimate arere-uired#

n$orre$t A )ronoun must agree ,it% t%e nounteystand for in num.er and gender#

Corre$t A )ronounmust agree ,it% t%e noun itstands for in num.er and gender#

n$orre$tEa$% user sat at teiro,n terminal#

Corre$t Ea$% usersat at is or ero,n terminal#

(%e userssat at teirrespe$tive terminals#

art article

non-countable nouns ones tat are a lu#) an* a4e no )lural for#: suc as infor#ation:

ustice: etc.

countable nouns ones tat are in*i4i*ual units an* a4e a )lural for#: suc as ats:boo,s: etc.

Te articles rules: for countable nouns only: follo=F

Singular Plural

S)ecific t%e t%e

6eneral aan no arti$le

:?


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Hou $anIt say %at 4in$orre$t5

Hou must say a %at

or %ats or t%e %at4s5

Te noun Kof so#etingL is s)ecificE terefore: it usually nee*s te *efinite article.

(%e University of Waterloo not University of Waterloo

a=, a=,=ar*

% =or* cannot a4e #ore tan one function in one sentence.

n$orre$t n t%e $onstru$tion industry provides a maFor Fo. mar*et#

ndustryM $annot .e .ot% t%e o.Fe$t of t%e preposition inM and t%e su.Fe$t of t%e ver.

provides#M

"on


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61/74

n$orre$t (%e manager $onsidered t%e result of t%e e/periment and t%e opinion of t%e

resear$%er# e determined t%at it s%ould .e t%e de$iding fa$tor#Corre$t e determined t%at t%e resear$%erIs opinion s%ould .e t%e de$iding fa$tor#

%l=ays )ut a noun =it te =or* Ktis.L

n$orre$t (%is means t%at you must .e $areful ,%en you use pronouns#

Corre$t (%is rule means t%at you must .e $areful ,%en you use pronouns#

DD )arallel structure

Balance* e+)ressions: suc as ones =it Kan*:L Kor:L Knot onlybut also:L an*

co#)arisons: an* ite#s in a list soul* all a4e te sa#e gra##atical structure. Parallel

structure a4oi*s arring te rea*er an* also )ro4i*es a na4igational tool to clarify o= te

sentence fits togeter.

&%e is responsi.le for sto$*ing mer$%andise" all instore repairs" ,riting orders fordelivery" and sales of $omputers#4not parallel2 parti$iples and 2 nouns5

&%e is responsi.le for sto$*ing mer$%andise" repairing items in t%e store" ,riting orders

for delivery" and selling $omputers# 4parallel5

t is easier to %it t%e $omputer t%an determining t%e pro.lem# 4not parallel one

infinitive and one parti$iple5

itting t%e $omputer is easier t%an determining t%e pro.lem# 4parallel5

t is easier to %it t%e $omputer t%an to determine t%e pro.lem# 4parallel5

B.; lists

Bot of te follo=ing for#ats are correctF

'+a#)leno )unctuation(%e study of engineering ,ill %elp you

t%in* $learly

solve pro.lems

find a Fo.

'+a#)leco##as an* a )erio*(%e study of engineering ,ill %elp you

t%in* $learly"

solve pro.lems" and

find a Fo.#


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5f one of te ite#s in te list contains internal )unctuation: te ite#s #ust be se)arate*

by se#i-colons.

'+a#)leinternal )unctuation

(%e study of engineering ,ill %elp you t%in* $learlyG

solve diffi$ult" $omple/ pro.lemsG and

find a Fo.#

5f te ite#s in te list are co#)lete sentences: se#i-colons or )erio*s can be use*.

'+a#)leco#)lete sentences in a list

(%e study of engineering ,ill %elp you in t%e follo,ing ,ays'

you ,ill learn to t%in* $learlyG

you ,ill in$rease your pro.lemsolving a.ilitiesG

you ,ill %ave a .etter $%an$e of finding a Fo.#

(%e study of engineering ,ill %elp you in t%e follo,ing ,ays'

Hou ,ill learn to t%in* $learly#

Hou ,ill in$rease your pro.lemsolving a.ilities#

Hou ,ill %ave a .etter $%an$e of finding a Fo.#

5f te ite#s in te list are 4ery long: te lea*-in soul* be a co#)lete sentence =it a

)erio*.

'+a#)le long list ite#s

(%e study of engineering ,ill %elp you in t%e ,ays des$ri.ed in t%e follo,ing se$tions#


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%))en*i+ C - Proofrea*ing Cec,list


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Use t%e findM fun$tion on your $omputer to $%e$* for t%e follo,ing'

1# Tis s it follo,ed .y a noun" t%at is" t%is somet%ingM f not" insert a noun#

2# ?o=e4er: terefores it .et,een t,o $omplete t%oug%ts f so" it needs a semi$olon or a period .efore it#

s it in t%e middle of one $omplete t%oug%t f so" it needs a $omma .efore it#

Note t%at a $omma usually follo,s t%ese ,ords#

3# %llo= for Can you remove t%e forM f so" do it#

:# Only Do you ,ant it to restri$t t%e ,ord t%at immediately follo,s it


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%))en*i+ " - Confi*entiality %gree#ent $or#


66/74

>O+ 1

WO+8 (E+ CON>DEN(AL(H A+EEEN(

ELOHE+ +EVUE&(' Date' QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

(%e employer $onsiders t%e information in t%e follo,ing ,or* report to .e sensitive or proprietary and re-uests t%at

t%e University of Waterloo treat t%e report as CONFIDENTIAL#

Employer' QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

Address' QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

(%e employer re-uests t%at t%e report .e evaluated" in $onfiden$e" .y t%e Wor* +eport Coordinator as ,ell as one

Englis% ar*er:and .e returned dire$tly to t%e student#

&igned 4students supervisor5' QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

(itle' QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ %one Num.er' QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

+EO+( &(UDEN( DA(A'

Wor* +eport (itle' QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ +eport Dated' QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

repared .y' QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ UW D 7 QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ4students name5

UN9E+&(H CON>DEN(AL(H A+EEEN('

(%e Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and t%e personnel responsi.le for grading t%e report agree to

maintain t%e $onfidentiality of t%e a.ovenamed report# (%e report ,ill .e read only .y t%e Wor* +eport

Coordinator" rofessor +i$ &oulis" and one Englis% ar*er# (%e report ,ill .e *ept in a se$ure offi$e until returned

to t%e student#

&igned' QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

+i$ &oulis

rofessor

Civil and Environmental EngineeringUniversity of Waterloo

Waterloo" Ontario N2L 31

Date' QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

&igned' QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

Name 4print5' QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

University of Waterloo

Waterloo" Ontario N2L 31

Date' QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ


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%))en*i+ ' - Mar,ing Seet


68/74


69/74

Correction Sy#bols for or, Re)orts

Xndi$ates a more serious error

@0

O$$urren$es &ym.ol E/planation

a. avoid a..reviations for a formal report

AC+ define a$ronyms t%e first time you use t%em

adX adver. or adFe$tive error

agrX faulty agreement 4su.Fe$ts" ver.s and pronouns agree in num.er andor gender5

art arti$le 4a" an" t%e5 missing or not re-uired

a,* a,*,ard ,ording ,it%in t%e senten$e$ap $apital letter error

$omp in$omplete or ine/a$t $omparison

$ont no $ontra$tions in a formal report 4use $an not" not $anIt5

$sX $omma spli$e

dm dangling modifier

fragX senten$e fragment

fsX fused senten$e

% %yp%en missing or not re-uiredmi/ed mi/ed $onstru$tion

mm mispla$ed modifier

om omitted ,ord

p error in pun$tuation

" $omma re-uired

no " no $omma

G semi$olon error

' $olon error Y apostrop%e error

par ne, paragrap% needed

pass ineffe$tive passive 4su.Fe$t of t%e senten$es is not t%e YdoerI of t%e a$tion5

plX plural form of t%e noun is re-uired or in$orre$t

prepX in$orre$t or missing prepositionred redundant

ref error in pronoun referen$evague 4must .e $lear ,%i$% noun a pronoun refers

to5

rep repetitive ,ord $%oi$e

s%ift distra$ting s%ift in tense or person 4maintain $onstant tense" use t%ird person5# provide # e-uivalent units

spX misspelled ,ord

tX error in ver. tense

v.X in$orre$t form of t%e ver.

, ,ordy 4.e $on$ise eliminate unne$essary ,ords5

,o ,ord order is in$orre$t

,$X ,ord $%oi$e is in$orre$t" too informal or too vague

faulty parallelism 4items in .alan$ed e/pressions and lists re-uire samegrammar stru$ture5


70/74

%))en*i+ $ - Sa#)le or, Re)ort Sce*ule

@1


71/74

inter: 2013 or,-Re)ort Sce*ule

onday" !anuary =" 2013 >irst day of $lasses

(%ursday" !an# 10 nitial Class (utorial on Wor* +eport

Writing>ormatting" 11'3012'30" C:02046ar. (rotter5

(uesday" !an# 1< Wor* reports due in Class rofessor %our

+eports initially mar*ed for ,riting -uality .y Clay organ

>riday" !an# 2< QQLast day to %and in late ,or* reportsQQ4late reports are lo,ered one grade and $annot .e resu.mitted" and

reports %anded in after t%is date are deferred until ne/t term5

>riday" >e.# ; +eports go on to fa$ulty mem.ers for te$%ni$al $ontent mar*ing

S>e.# 111< Wee* of idtermsT

S>e.# 1;22 +eading Wee*T

onday" ar# : +eports returned from professors

Wed#" ar# = &tudents ,it% resu.mits are advised to pi$* up t%eir reports fromE23321#

X(%ursday" ar$% = (utorial" o, to fi/ your reportM

11'3012'10 le$ture 12'1012'20 -uestion periodformat $%anges4Xdepends on $lassG C:0205 46ar. (rotterClay organ5

Konday" ar# 11 ndividual tutorials in C3@0=" 3'30@'30 (uesday ar# 12 E223:;" :'00='00 4sign up earlier for Z %our or 1 %our5#

Kdepends on num.er of students ,%o sign up

>ri#" ar# 22 +evised reports due in Dr# &oulisIs offi$e" E23321" .y :'30

+evised reports revie,ed .y Englis% mar*er and fa$ulty mem.ers

4revised reports t%at are %anded in after t%is date are deferred until

ne/t term5

f a revised report is still not a$$epta.le" t%e report ,ill .e a failure# A student $an $lear t%e failed

,or* report .y su.mitting a revised report in a su.se-uent term# &tudents are en$ouraged to

cec, te "e)art#ent 6ui*elinesfor .ot% ,ritinggrammar and formatting to minimiBe t%e

$%an$e of %aving to resu.mit# Note t%at a resu.mitted report $an .e graded una$$epta.le for

grammar andor formatting errors# QQ%n unacce)table re)ort is note* on your transcri)t.(%us" ad%ering to t%e guidelines and ensuring your ,riting -uality$ontent meets a$$epta.le

standards $an save a lot of time and e/pense in t%e long run#

@2


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%))en*i+ 6 - 12 "o


73/74

12 "o


74/74

O(' &%ST (OT'

n any $ase" $onsider t%e fa$t t%at ,riting a ,or* report s%ould .e vie,ed as a learning

e/perien$e ,%ere.y you are a.le to gain valua.le pra$ti$al e/perien$e t%at ,ill .enefit your

,riting and %elp prepare you for t%e ,or*pla$e# And +EE6E+ if you $an" you ,ant tominimiBe t%e $%an$es of your report .eing a resu.mitG nevert%eless" even t%e resu.mit pro$ess

$an .e vie,ed as a good e/perien$e .e$ause it %elps identify areas of ,riting t%at students need

to ,or* on#

Documents

Work Report Guidelines Feb2013-1