Additional informations:
http://www.mccd.edu/faculty/hundleya/englisharhetoricalmodes.htm
http://www.daltonstate.edu/esl/Rhetorical%20Modes.htm
http://academic.luzerne.edu/microcomp/rhetorical_devices.htm
Friday, June 20, 2008
Technical Description
The biggest hurdle you may face in writing a description is remembering what the term means as it is used in this context. We all use the word description loosely to refer to practically any discussion or explanation. But in this context, it means the detailed discussion of the physical aspects of a thing. That means discussing things like color, shape, size, weight, height, width, thickness, texture, density, contents, materials of construction, and so on. It also means discussing any quantifiable details such as numbers.
For example, the sentence "A computer diskette is a device used for storing electronic data" is not really description in our sense of the word. It explains the function or purpose but provides little or no physical detail. However, the sentence "The common computer diskette is 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches and approximately 1/8 inch thick" is very definitely description.
Be sure to check out the example descriptions available with this chapter:
Rayovac Workhorse Flashlight
Interplak Home Plaque Removal Instrument
Primitive Stone Scraper
Standard Automobile Alternator
Note: reading quiz
Contexts for Description
As mentioned earlier, descriptions are common element in technical writing--just not quite in the same way that instructions are. Descriptions appear more often as a sentence or two here, a paragraph there, or a whole section there. There are certain kinds of technical writing that feature description. You can imagine accident reports requiring plenty of description. Product specifications--documents that describe design and feature of a new or changed product--have plenty of description. Also instructions typically require description as an important supplement: readers need to be able to visualize what they are doing and what they are working with.
Contents and Organization of Descriptions
The following is a review of the sections you'll commonly find in descriptions. Don't assume that each one of them has to be in the actual description you write, nor that they have to be in the order they are presented here.
As you read the following on common sections in descriptions, check out the example descriptions. Not all of the following sections typically found in descriptions will show up in the examples, but most will.
Introduction. Plan the introduction to your description carefully. Make sure it does all of the following things (but not necessarily in this order) that apply to your particular description:
Indicate the specific object about to be described.
Indicate what the audience needs in terms of knowledge and background to understand the description.
Give a general description of the object and its function, cause, or effect.
Give an overview of the contents of the description. Now remember: you may not need all of the elements, and some of them can combine neatly into single sentences. The introduction ought to be brisk and to the point and not feel as though it is trudging laboriously through each of these elements.
Background. If the thing you are describing is not likely to be familiar to most of your readers, consider adding some background before you plunge into the actual description. If you are about to describe an SGO/3 density gauge to nonspecialists, you'd better first discuss what in the world the thing is, what it does, and on what part of the planet it is used.Discussion of the parts or characteristics. The main part of your description is the discussion of each part or characteristic. You must divide the thing you are describing into parts, or characteristics, or both. Parts are easy: for example, a wooden pencil has lead, a wooden barrel, an eraser, and a metal clip. Characteristics are describable aspects of a thing but are not parts: for example, the pencil has a certain weight, length, width, and so on. If you were a budding real-estate tycoon and had to describe a vacant lot for company files, you'd probably describe it by its characteristics: its location, square footage, terrain, vegetation, access to utilities, and so on. (Check out the description of the primitive stone scraper in the examples of description at the end of this appendix; part of it is arranged by characteristics, and part by parts!)
Once you've divided the thing you are decribing into parts, characteristics, or both, your next job is to describe each one. For mechanical things, it works well to start by defining the part, by explaining its function. After that, you describe the part from general to specific, using any of the sources of description that are appropriate.
Notice that in description, you can mix other kinds of writing. You'll find yourself explaining functions, defining terms, discussing a bit of process as you describe. That's not a problem as long as the primary focus and the majority of the content is truly description.
Discussion of the related operation or process. At some point in a description, often at the end, it is useful to summarize the operation or process associated with the object you're describing. For example, if you've just described a mechanical pencil, you could briefly explain how it is used. If you've just described a snowflake, you could discuss the process by which it formed.
Sources of Description
When you write a description, you need to think about the kinds of descriptive detail you can provide. Sometimes, descriptions are rather weak in this area. Use the following list to plan your description or to review a description you have written. Think of the categories of descriptive detail you could provide, or use the following list to identify categories you have not used:
color, height width,shape, weight, materials, texture, width, location
methods of attachment, depth, amount pattern, design, ingredients, age,
subparts, length, finish temperature, moisture, content, smell
Figure 10. Schematic view of descriptions. Remember that this is just a typical or common model for the contents and organization--many others are possible.
Miscellaneous Concerns
In descriptions, you'll probably find yourself puzzling over how to handle numbers, abbreviations, and symbols:
Numbers. Remember that technical writing breaks some of those rules you worked so hard to learn in past writing classes. In the technical writing context, we are often vitally concerned about numbers and want them to stand out. This means that you should use numerals in running text when the number indicates an exact, measured, or measurable amount or when it represents a critical value. For example, in the sentence "The cup is 3 inches in diameter" or in the sentence "Use 4 tacks to fasten the poster to the wall," it seems to matter that the numbers are exact. However, this does not mean using numerals for indifferent values: for example, in the sentence "The report contains four major sections," there is nothing heart-stopping about how many sections the report has. See the section on numbers vs. words for further details.
Figure 11. Anatomy of a descriptive paragraph. Typically, it starts with some statement about the purpose or function of the part, with the descriptive detail following. Descriptive detail draws upon the "sources" of description--such things as color, shape, width, and height.
Abbreviations. In technical writing, we expect to see abbreviations. Use them in your description freely. Remember the rule on punctuating abbreviations--punctuate them only if they spell a word (for example, "in."). Remember too that abbreviations do not go up against the number they are used with (for example, make that "8 mm tape" or "8-mm tape" but not "8mm tape").
Symbols. The most common problem with symbols in the instructions and descriptions assignment has to do with inches and feet. If you're writing instructions for a carpenter's dream project where there are feet and inches all over the place, use the symbols " (inches) and ' (feet). However, if you cite inch and foot measurements only a few times, use the word or abbreviation instead.
Graphics and Format in Descriptions
In most descriptions, you'll need at least one illustration of the thing you are describing, with labels pointing to the parts. See the section on graphics for more on creating graphics, formatting them according to our class requirements, and incorporating them into your descriptions.
Headings. In descriptions, you'll want to use headings and subheadings to mark off the discussion of the individual parts or characteristics. Remember that, ideally, you want to describe each part in a separate paragraph or section--and flag that discussion with a heading. If you have a background section, use a heading for it too. See the section on headings for the specific requirements (remember that this course asks you to use a certain style and format for headings).
Lists. Lists are not nearly so important in descriptions as they are in instructions. However, if you itemize parts or subparts or list specifications, these are good situations for lists. See the section on lists for the specific requirements (remember that this course asks you to use a certain style and format for lists).
Special notices. In descriptions, there is nothing like the important role for special notices as there is in instructions. After all, if it really is a description, readers should not be trying to follow any procedure, and therefore should not be running any risks of damaging equipment, wasting supplies, screwing up the procedure, or injuring themselves or others. However, you may find the note special notice to be useful to emphasize important points or exceptions. See the section on special notices for complete discussion of the proper use of these special notices as well as their format and placement within instructions. (And remember that in our course we have a specific style and format for these notices.)
For example, the sentence "A computer diskette is a device used for storing electronic data" is not really description in our sense of the word. It explains the function or purpose but provides little or no physical detail. However, the sentence "The common computer diskette is 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches and approximately 1/8 inch thick" is very definitely description.
Be sure to check out the example descriptions available with this chapter:
Rayovac Workhorse Flashlight
Interplak Home Plaque Removal Instrument
Primitive Stone Scraper
Standard Automobile Alternator
Note: reading quiz
Contexts for Description
As mentioned earlier, descriptions are common element in technical writing--just not quite in the same way that instructions are. Descriptions appear more often as a sentence or two here, a paragraph there, or a whole section there. There are certain kinds of technical writing that feature description. You can imagine accident reports requiring plenty of description. Product specifications--documents that describe design and feature of a new or changed product--have plenty of description. Also instructions typically require description as an important supplement: readers need to be able to visualize what they are doing and what they are working with.
Contents and Organization of Descriptions
The following is a review of the sections you'll commonly find in descriptions. Don't assume that each one of them has to be in the actual description you write, nor that they have to be in the order they are presented here.
As you read the following on common sections in descriptions, check out the example descriptions. Not all of the following sections typically found in descriptions will show up in the examples, but most will.
Introduction. Plan the introduction to your description carefully. Make sure it does all of the following things (but not necessarily in this order) that apply to your particular description:
Indicate the specific object about to be described.
Indicate what the audience needs in terms of knowledge and background to understand the description.
Give a general description of the object and its function, cause, or effect.
Give an overview of the contents of the description. Now remember: you may not need all of the elements, and some of them can combine neatly into single sentences. The introduction ought to be brisk and to the point and not feel as though it is trudging laboriously through each of these elements.
Background. If the thing you are describing is not likely to be familiar to most of your readers, consider adding some background before you plunge into the actual description. If you are about to describe an SGO/3 density gauge to nonspecialists, you'd better first discuss what in the world the thing is, what it does, and on what part of the planet it is used.Discussion of the parts or characteristics. The main part of your description is the discussion of each part or characteristic. You must divide the thing you are describing into parts, or characteristics, or both. Parts are easy: for example, a wooden pencil has lead, a wooden barrel, an eraser, and a metal clip. Characteristics are describable aspects of a thing but are not parts: for example, the pencil has a certain weight, length, width, and so on. If you were a budding real-estate tycoon and had to describe a vacant lot for company files, you'd probably describe it by its characteristics: its location, square footage, terrain, vegetation, access to utilities, and so on. (Check out the description of the primitive stone scraper in the examples of description at the end of this appendix; part of it is arranged by characteristics, and part by parts!)
Once you've divided the thing you are decribing into parts, characteristics, or both, your next job is to describe each one. For mechanical things, it works well to start by defining the part, by explaining its function. After that, you describe the part from general to specific, using any of the sources of description that are appropriate.
Notice that in description, you can mix other kinds of writing. You'll find yourself explaining functions, defining terms, discussing a bit of process as you describe. That's not a problem as long as the primary focus and the majority of the content is truly description.
Discussion of the related operation or process. At some point in a description, often at the end, it is useful to summarize the operation or process associated with the object you're describing. For example, if you've just described a mechanical pencil, you could briefly explain how it is used. If you've just described a snowflake, you could discuss the process by which it formed.
Sources of Description
When you write a description, you need to think about the kinds of descriptive detail you can provide. Sometimes, descriptions are rather weak in this area. Use the following list to plan your description or to review a description you have written. Think of the categories of descriptive detail you could provide, or use the following list to identify categories you have not used:
color, height width,shape, weight, materials, texture, width, location
methods of attachment, depth, amount pattern, design, ingredients, age,
subparts, length, finish temperature, moisture, content, smell
Figure 10. Schematic view of descriptions. Remember that this is just a typical or common model for the contents and organization--many others are possible.
Miscellaneous Concerns
In descriptions, you'll probably find yourself puzzling over how to handle numbers, abbreviations, and symbols:
Numbers. Remember that technical writing breaks some of those rules you worked so hard to learn in past writing classes. In the technical writing context, we are often vitally concerned about numbers and want them to stand out. This means that you should use numerals in running text when the number indicates an exact, measured, or measurable amount or when it represents a critical value. For example, in the sentence "The cup is 3 inches in diameter" or in the sentence "Use 4 tacks to fasten the poster to the wall," it seems to matter that the numbers are exact. However, this does not mean using numerals for indifferent values: for example, in the sentence "The report contains four major sections," there is nothing heart-stopping about how many sections the report has. See the section on numbers vs. words for further details.
Figure 11. Anatomy of a descriptive paragraph. Typically, it starts with some statement about the purpose or function of the part, with the descriptive detail following. Descriptive detail draws upon the "sources" of description--such things as color, shape, width, and height.
Abbreviations. In technical writing, we expect to see abbreviations. Use them in your description freely. Remember the rule on punctuating abbreviations--punctuate them only if they spell a word (for example, "in."). Remember too that abbreviations do not go up against the number they are used with (for example, make that "8 mm tape" or "8-mm tape" but not "8mm tape").
Symbols. The most common problem with symbols in the instructions and descriptions assignment has to do with inches and feet. If you're writing instructions for a carpenter's dream project where there are feet and inches all over the place, use the symbols " (inches) and ' (feet). However, if you cite inch and foot measurements only a few times, use the word or abbreviation instead.
Graphics and Format in Descriptions
In most descriptions, you'll need at least one illustration of the thing you are describing, with labels pointing to the parts. See the section on graphics for more on creating graphics, formatting them according to our class requirements, and incorporating them into your descriptions.
Headings. In descriptions, you'll want to use headings and subheadings to mark off the discussion of the individual parts or characteristics. Remember that, ideally, you want to describe each part in a separate paragraph or section--and flag that discussion with a heading. If you have a background section, use a heading for it too. See the section on headings for the specific requirements (remember that this course asks you to use a certain style and format for headings).
Lists. Lists are not nearly so important in descriptions as they are in instructions. However, if you itemize parts or subparts or list specifications, these are good situations for lists. See the section on lists for the specific requirements (remember that this course asks you to use a certain style and format for lists).
Special notices. In descriptions, there is nothing like the important role for special notices as there is in instructions. After all, if it really is a description, readers should not be trying to follow any procedure, and therefore should not be running any risks of damaging equipment, wasting supplies, screwing up the procedure, or injuring themselves or others. However, you may find the note special notice to be useful to emphasize important points or exceptions. See the section on special notices for complete discussion of the proper use of these special notices as well as their format and placement within instructions. (And remember that in our course we have a specific style and format for these notices.)
Technical Description:
Rayovac Workhorse Flashlight
The Rayovac Workhorse is a hand-sized plastic flashlight, easily portable, which will fit into most automobile glove compartments. (See Figure 1.) The Workhorse's overall length is 6 inches, with a diameter of 2 inches at the head of the flashlight, tapering to 1-1/4 inches in diameter at the battery compartment. The body of the Workhorse, basically cylindrical in shape, is of matte black, high-impact plastic, ribbed for a secure handgrip. The Workhorse flashlight consists of two major parts: (a) the body, containing the battery compartment and the switch, and (b) the bulb assembly, containing the reflector, the bulb, and the connector. The flashlight is powered by two 1.5 volt size C batteries.
Figure 1. Rayovac Workhorse Flashlight
Body
The body of the Rayovac Workhorse Flashlight is 5-5/8 inches, with a diameter of 2 inches at the screw, or head end, tapering to 1-1/4 inches at the battery compartment. The interior of the screw end is threaded, allowing for connection with the bulb assembly. (See Figure 2 for an illustration of the complete flashlight assembly.)Battery compartment. The battery compartment holds the batteries, the power source for the flashlight. The compartment is cylindrical, 3-1/2 inches long and 1-1/4 inches in diameter, with a coiled metal spring on the interior of the closed end, and a 1/4-inch wide strip of gold-colored metal running along one interior side of the compartment. Tne compartment holds two 1.5-volt C batteries, in a stacked position, with the negative end of the lowermost battery in contact with the spring, and the positive end of the lowermost battery supporting the negative end of the uppermost battery. The open end of the battery compartment closes with the insertion of the bulb assembly.
Switch. The switch turns the flashlight on and off. the flashlight switch is located on the body of the Workhorse 1-1/2 inches from the screw end. The switch is of round white plastic, designed to be activated with the thumb of the hand holding the flashlight. When the switch is pushed forward, towards the larger end of the flashlight, the light turns on. When the switch is returned to the original position, the light turns off.
Figure 2. Components of the Rayovac Workhorse Flashlight
Bulb Assembly
The bulb assembly of the flashlight consists of the reflector, the bulb, and the connector. When fully assembled, the bulb assembly is 2 inches long, with a diameter of 2 inches at the reflector end reducing to 3/4 inch at the contact end of the connector. The bulb assembly completes the flashlight by screwing into the end, or head end of the body of the flashlight.Reflector. The reflector magnifies and projects the light generated by the battery-powered bulb. When viewed from the larger end, the reflector consists of a transparent flat plastic cover over a chrome-colored reflective plastic concavity with a central hole. The elements are permanently attached together and housed in a matte black plastic. The reflector screws into the connector on one end, and the midsection of the reflector provides the main screw for attachment to the flashlight body.
Bulb. The light source for the Workhorse is a glass bulb, 1/2 inch long, permanently fused onto a cylindrical metal base 1/2 inch long and 3/8 inch in diameter. The bottom of the metal base has a protrusion, providing the electrical connection between the bulb and connector. The bulb itself contains a metallic filament, one-half the length of the glass portion of the bulb, surrounded, at a point halfway up the length, by a clouded white plastic-like material.
Connector. The connector connects the reflector and bulb to the battery power source. The connector is of black plastic, ringed with a metallic collar 3/8 inch wide. The closed end of the connector is mounted with a 5/6 inch-square gold-colored metal strip. The metal strip facilitates the connection between the bulb and the batteries. The open end of the connector is threaded to allow joining with the bulb and reflector.
When fully assembled, the Rayovac Workhorse Flashlight is a sturdy easily held tool providing light sufficient for regular outdoor and emergency use. The compact size makes the flashlight easily portable, and batteries and bulb are readily accessible for replacement.
Transitions words
Exercise 1: Words Signaling Additional Information
Gap-fill exercise
Another Equally important In addition Moreover also still
TOUCHSCREENS
The touch screen is the simplest, yet the most intuitive computer interface around. Touchscreen monitors are used in hand-held computers, PDAs, industrial equipment, point of sale equipment, lab equipment, public information kiosks etc. Basically, a piece of glass is added over the front of a screen. An extra cable is 
added to the back of the monitor.
What are some of the advantages of a touch screen? Firstly, a user can access substantial information easily and with minimal hassle. Secondly, the user can limit information access to the public. 
, a user who is unfamiliar with a touchscreen can 
access information on his own i.e without any supervision. 
is the absence of a keyboard or a mouse. This means the user will be able to save space. 
, it is easy to just touch the screen, as in "left clicking" a mouse. 
advantage of using a touch screen is that six to seven
screens can be run up from one PC at the same time.
References:
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/transitions.html#1
http://eleac.ln.edu.hk/wts/transition%20exercise.htm
http://www.ssdd.uce.ac.uk/learner/writing/transex.htm
http://www.ssdd.uce.ac.uk/learner/writing/transiti.htm
Exercise 1: Words Signaling Additional Information | ||
References:http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/transitions.html#1http://eleac.ln.edu.hk/wts/transition%20exercise.htmhttp://www.ssdd.uce.ac.uk/learner/writing/transex.htmhttp://www.ssdd.uce.ac.uk/learner/writing/transiti.htm |
Friday, June 13, 2008
Technical Communication Skills Report Exercise
Task
Imagine you have been leading a team that is engaged in an evaluation of a major sotfware utility for Institut Teknologi Brunei. You must now prepare a report for the Head of the ECE department. You may imagine that this is a real company (such as IBM or Microsoft), if that makes you feel more comfortable. The important factor is to imagine that this is a technical report for the Head of ECE Department of Institut Teknologi Brunei.
This report is required to enable them to take a technically informed decision on whether or not to replace this utility or to spend money on updating or developing it. You are concerned only with the technical side of this process. The relevant commercial and financial considerations will be dealt with in other reports to the board. What the board require from you is a clear technical overview of this particular piece of software. This should focus on its technical strengths and weaknesses.
The purpose of the exercise is to learn and refine the ability to prepare technical reports, so the form of the report is much more important than its content. You should pick a feature of Windows, Macos, Linux, or some other piece of software, with which you are already familiar and not waste time researching it, except perhaps for checking references. You will not be marked on technical accuracy and should aim instead for high standards of clarity and coherence. You may conclude in favour of, or against, future company involvement with the product as you please. What matters is that your conclusions are justified in the report.
The report should be as close as possible to 1500 words in length.
Some suggested topics are:
MAN Powerpoint Outllook Mulberry Wordperfect X-BIFF MSWord PINE, ELM Firefox Excel Internet Explorer Emacs Netscape and so on...
You may add your own suggestions, but get approval from me if there is any doubt about suitability.
Submission
A draft version of the entire report should be handed in by all students on or before 25th October 2008 (sat). The draft need not be complete or polished, but must at least show the intended structure of the report. This should include the intended title and sub-title, if any, the sections, and any notes on their likely contents. I will correct and return any text, but you will not lose marks for any mistakes or indeed for the complete absence of text. The marks for the draft are for structure (no surprises there, I hope).
The point of this exercise is to enable me to correct any major misunderstandings before you have to submit the final version of the report!
The final polished and neatly bound version of the report should be handed in by the 15th November 2008 (sat)
All these documents should be handed in to my office Room 2F.69 before 1630 (4.30pm) on the required date. It's perfectly acceptable to submit before these dates. If there any changes to these arrangements you will be informed by either (probably both) me and the department office in good time.
Imagine you have been leading a team that is engaged in an evaluation of a major sotfware utility for Institut Teknologi Brunei. You must now prepare a report for the Head of the ECE department. You may imagine that this is a real company (such as IBM or Microsoft), if that makes you feel more comfortable. The important factor is to imagine that this is a technical report for the Head of ECE Department of Institut Teknologi Brunei.
This report is required to enable them to take a technically informed decision on whether or not to replace this utility or to spend money on updating or developing it. You are concerned only with the technical side of this process. The relevant commercial and financial considerations will be dealt with in other reports to the board. What the board require from you is a clear technical overview of this particular piece of software. This should focus on its technical strengths and weaknesses.
The purpose of the exercise is to learn and refine the ability to prepare technical reports, so the form of the report is much more important than its content. You should pick a feature of Windows, Macos, Linux, or some other piece of software, with which you are already familiar and not waste time researching it, except perhaps for checking references. You will not be marked on technical accuracy and should aim instead for high standards of clarity and coherence. You may conclude in favour of, or against, future company involvement with the product as you please. What matters is that your conclusions are justified in the report.
The report should be as close as possible to 1500 words in length.
Some suggested topics are:
MAN Powerpoint Outllook Mulberry Wordperfect X-BIFF MSWord PINE, ELM Firefox Excel Internet Explorer Emacs Netscape and so on...
You may add your own suggestions, but get approval from me if there is any doubt about suitability.
Submission
A draft version of the entire report should be handed in by all students on or before 25th October 2008 (sat). The draft need not be complete or polished, but must at least show the intended structure of the report. This should include the intended title and sub-title, if any, the sections, and any notes on their likely contents. I will correct and return any text, but you will not lose marks for any mistakes or indeed for the complete absence of text. The marks for the draft are for structure (no surprises there, I hope).
The point of this exercise is to enable me to correct any major misunderstandings before you have to submit the final version of the report!
The final polished and neatly bound version of the report should be handed in by the 15th November 2008 (sat)
All these documents should be handed in to my office Room 2F.69 before 1630 (4.30pm) on the required date. It's perfectly acceptable to submit before these dates. If there any changes to these arrangements you will be informed by either (probably both) me and the department office in good time.
Project Report -Layout
GENERAL TIPS ON CORRECT LAY-OUT
One of the most important things to remember now is that you are no longer at school and that fancy colours and decorations are OUT. Your approach has to be strictly businesslike.
ESSENTIAL- A VERY CLEAR, NEAT PRESENTATION.
This involves:
1. Typing the report: you should use Times Roman Font Size 12.
2. Using 1.5 or double spacing between every line, and leaving 4 spaces between paragraphs. Your report should not be fully justified i.e. use the page layout command "justify left" only.
3. Giving headings and sub-headings for each section. Capitalising and using bold will make your headings stand out well.
4. Using a clear numbering system.
5. Making really clear diagrams which are both LABELED AND LINKED to the text.
LAY-OUT OF THE CONTENTS PAGE
| Abstract | i |
| Acknowledgements | ii |
| List of Figures | iii |
| List of Tables | iv |
| 1.Introduction 1.1 The Field of Study 1.2 Existing Work Related to the Project etc. |
1 |
| 2. Theoretical Background | 4 |
| 3. Project Description | 7 |
| 4. Product Development | etc |
| 5. Assembly & Testing | |
| 6. Discussion | |
| 7. Conclusion | |
| References | |
| Appendices |
CHECKLIST FOR THE FULL PROJECT REPORT LAY-OUT
The following is the full list of items you need for a formal report.
TABLE OF CONTENTS (See above for lay-out).
THE ABSTRACT OR SUMMARY
This is important because it gives the reader a brief overview of what your project is about. Summaries are read particularly by people doing research. It saves them a lot of time to see quickly if what they have picked up is relevant to their research or not. (Notes for this will be found at the end of the checklist. This is because although this item appears first in the finished report, it actually has to be written last.)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors wish to express their appreciation to the following people for their
valuable contributions:
Project supervisor/s, Mr..... /and Mr .....
The technicians of ........ Labs, Mr .....
THE LIST OF FIGURES
The list of figures should be shown as indicated below:
Fig. 1.1 Equivalent circuit of a ...
Fig. 1.2 .....
THE LIST OF TABLES
The list of tables should be shown as indicated below:
Table 10.1 The decoding scheme for the ...
Table 10.2 .....
LABELLING DIAGRAMS
Figure 1: Apple's iBook
A summary of the LAYOUT.
By Michael Vallance
IEEE Referencing
Reference Page
Remember, you must have a reference section! Please follow the IEEE (Instute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) style shown here. STYLE here refers to the type of information, the order, and punctuation of the information. List the references in the numerical order in which they were cited in your text.
EXAMPLE
Below is an excerpt from an article which shows how the citations are used and what the corresponding references look like.
Text Excerpt:
Surface micromachining has been developed more recently. For silicon, a modified CMOS process has been used, based on the deposition of SiO2 and polysilicon, followed by lithography and dry etching of the polysilicon to form shallow (typically <10mm) features. The SiO2 is then removed to provide clearances and allow motion. Because etch selectivity is achieved using different materials, restrictions on feature shape are largely avoided. Repetitive use of this cycle has allowed the fabrication of mechanisms [9]-[12], rotary actuators [13], and linear actuators [14]-[16]. Sacrificial processing is now being extended to other materials (e.g. metals [17]-[19] and thin-film diamond [20]).
These are the citations.
These citations are put there because the author is either talking about what other people have done or is using their ideas. Below are some of the references listed for the excerpt above. Take note of the style. STYLE means the spacing, commas, capitalisation, quotation marks, and the order of the information.````
And these are the corresponding references.
[9] L. S. Fan, Y. C. Tai, and R. S. Muller, "Pin joints, gears, springs, cranks, and other novel microstructures," in Tech. Dig., 4th Int. Conf. On Solid-state Actuators and Sensors, Tokyo, Japan, June 1987, pp. 849-852.
[10] M. Mehregany, K. J. Gabriel, and W. S. N. Trimmer, "Micro gears and turbines etched from silicon," Sensors and Actuators, Vol. 12, pp. 341-348, 1987.
[11] _______, "Integrated fabrication of polysilicon mechanisms," IEEE Trans. Electron Dev., Vol. 35, pp. 719-723, 1988.
[12] H. Guckel and D. W. Burns, "Fabrication of micromachined devices from polysilicon films and smooth surfaces," Sensors and Actuators, Vol. 20, pp.117-122, 1989.
[13] L. S. Fan, Y. C. Tai, and R. S. Muller, "IC-processed electrostatic micromotors," Sensors and Actuators, Vol. 20, pp. 41-47, 1989.
[14] W. C. Tang, T.-C. H. Nguyen, and R. T. Howe, "Laterally driven polysilicon resonant microstructures," Sensors and Actuators, Vol 20, pp. 25-32, 1989.
[15] T. Furuhata, T. Hirano, K. J. Gabriel, and H. Fujita, "Sub-micron gaps without sub-micron etching," in Tech. Dig., IEEE Micro Electro Mechanical Systems Workshop, Nara, Japan, Jan. 30-Feb. 2, 1991, pp. 57-62.
Book example
[1] G. S. Maddala, Limited Dependent and Qualitative Variables in Econometrics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1983.
[2] C.E. Shannon, "A Symbolic Analysis of Relay and Switching Circuits," Trans. Am. Inst, Elect. Engrs., vol. 57, pp. 713-23, 1983.
Journal examples
[3] T. Tamara, M. Tsutsumi, H. Aoi, N. Matsuishi, N. Hagagoshi, S. Kawano and M. Makita, "A Coding Method in Digital Magnetic Recording," IEEE Trans. Magnetics, MAG 8, pp. 612-14, 1972.
Data book examples
[4] MOSTEK Microcomputer Components Data Book ,
Mostek, Carrollton, Texas, 1979.
[5] The TTL Data Book for Design Engineers, 6th European ed., Texas Instruments Inc., Dallas, Texas, 1983.
Product information guide example
[6] Z-80 DART Dual Asynchronous Receiver/ Transmitter Product Specification, Zilog, Inc., Cupertino, California, 1979.
Technical manual example
[7] Z80-CPU Z80A-CPU Technical Manual, Zilog, Inc., Cupertino, California, 1978.
Reference manual example
[8] MC68000 16- / 32-bit Microprocessor Programmers' Reference Manual, 4th ed., Motorola, Inc., Geneva, Switzerland, 1984.
Applications handbook example
[9] Memory Applications Handbook, National Semiconductor Corp., Santa Clara, California, 1978.
Data catologue example
[10] Component Data Catalog, Intel Corp., Santa Clara.
CD-ROM example
[11] Zieger, Herman E., Aldehyde, The Software Toolworks Multimedia Encyclopaedia. Vers 1.5. Software Toolworks, Boston: Grolier, 1992.
WWW example with date web site accessed.
[12] Burka, Lauren P., "A Hypertext History of Multi-User Dimensions", MUD
By Michael Vallance (with thanks to Phil Bungum for helping develop this information).
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