University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

Due Tu Nov 1 at class time

Organization instructions in Lab Description Document (LDD) on CULearn->Lab Info->Lab 2. In particular,

Limit main body to 12 pages (excluding cover, TOC, Appendices, references) Identify Group Leader (GL) on cover or 1st page GL provides a % evaluation of contribution of group members - details in Slide 3 LDD figures may be downloaded from web

Lab 2 Report Reminders

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

If you miss your Lab group test withoutcause, 50% of the group score is deducted from your individual grade.

If you miss because of unavoidable conflict or ajustifiable reason, pls contact instructor ASAP.

Individual contributions are also evaluated by Group Leader (next slide)

Exp Lab Attendance Reminders

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

Coordinates preparation & submission of lab report

Assesses individual contributions on a scale of 0-100% and provides these to instructor & TAsat report submission time.

Individual contributions may also be assessed by peer evaluation (if group chooses to do so) but GL assembles & submits those.

Group Leader Main Duties

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

Better Tech Writing in 10’

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

Content Organization Writing

Where Is The Report Beef?

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

Contents and Organizationare governed by a basic rule

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

RAFI

Read And FollowInstructions

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

Tell’em what you are going to tell’emThen tell’emThen tell’em what told’em

Organization: Intro, Body, Conclusions

Which one is most important?

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

Content should be a Group Activity

Use Accepted Tech Writing Practicese.g. referencing by [.]

One Group Member (e.g., GL) Should Crosscheck & Edit Final Version

For Lab Reports

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

Content Organization Writing

Last But Not Least

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

Lab Writing Is Often Scary to Graders

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

Use Plain Language, Avoid Hype

Composition Pointers

Highlight by Contrast

One Paragraph = One Theme

Get to the Point!

Finish Strong

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

Make the paragraph the unit of composition: Stick With A Theme

Especially Important Is The SWAT Rule

For a song or poem, replace“paragraph” by “verse”

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

He not busy being born is busy dying

Highlighting by Contrast Catches the Reader’s Attention

He who knows only his own generation always remains a child

Stronger:

Bland (in English):

Nescire autem quid antequam natus sis acciderit, id esse semper puerum (Cicero)

From: It’s allright Ma, I’m only bleeding (Dylan)

He not busy being born is busy dying

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

Alas, poor specimen! I knew it, Horatio.A T-beam of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy, ...

If Shakespeare Had Written a Lab Report

NG for a report : too much hype

Good or NG?

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

OBJECTIVE

Structures are an important component ofmodern aerospace engineering. Weight savings is an essential part of designing effective aerospace structures. The use of thin wall structural members helps us to achieve those weight savings. Furthermore ...

How About This Actual Sample?

Grandmothering BS. We know that. Now, how about the lab?

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

OBJECTIVE

The experimental tests for this lab were used to verify and compare analytical models for torsion of thin-wall sections with experimental data. Both open thin wall (OTW) and closed thin wall (CTW) sections are tested on a Tinius-Olsen torsion machine at ITLL.

Is This One Better?

Yes. It skips the BS. One (common) grammar error, can you spot it?

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

OBJECTIVE

The experimental tests for this lab were used to verify and compare analytical models for torsion of thin-wall sections with experimental data. Both open thin wall (OTW) and closed thin wall (CTW) sections are tested on a Tinius-Olsen torsion machine at ITLL.

Common Grammar Error

verb tense mismatch

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

Propose or state a theme:Is dropping out of college the end of it all?

Pay Attention to Paragraph Flowthrough

Finish with a punch the reader will remember:One for the better,one for the worse.

Argue the theme (here w/ counterexamples):No. Two well known dropouts: Steve Jobs and BillGates, became rich & famous, and changed the world.

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

And I hope that you die, and your death will come soon.I’ll follow your casket, in the pale afternoon.I’ll watch as you’re lowered, into your deathbed.And I’ll stand on your grave till I’m sure you’re dead.

Readers Remember A Strong Finish

And I hope that you give up, and yield will come soon.I’ll follow your slippage, in a lab afternoon.I’ll watch as you’re taken from the module deadly grasp, And stand by the labstation, till I’m sure you have cracked.

University of Colorado - Intro to Aerospace Structures (ASEN 3112) - Fall 2011

1st ed 1935!

also available on line fromhttp://www.bartleby.com/

Better writing for $9