378 / Types of Writing
The conclusion summarizes and clarifies the report’s contents. A lab report’s conclu-
sion includes three parts:
- a single-sentence summary of findings
- a discussion of possible sources of error
- a single-sentence concluding statement
The divisions permit a busy reader to read only what he finds most important.
Now make your own list. Consider the following example for a technical paper com-
paring nesting success in two kinds of bluebird nesting boxes.
Introduction
Purpose
Definitions
Comparisons
Preference
Comparisons
Construction
Predator safety
Cost
ConclusionThe list serves as an outline and later, with revision, provides the headings and sub-
headings for the final report.
STEP 6: Writing—Preparing the First Draft
Using the list prepared in Step 5, write a brief statement to support each of the head-
ings. Be as concise and as objective as possible.
Plan visual aids (tables, charts, graphs, and illustrations) to replace narrative
description as necessary. Use visual aids for the following purposes:
- to increase interest
- to emphasize certain data
- to condense information
- to show relationships among data
Refer to all visual aids in the text, pointing out their significance or summarizing
their contents in a sentence or two.
As you work with the content of your report, feel free to revise the list/outline as
often as necessary so that, as you follow it, and develop its headings and subhead-
ings, the ideas flow smoothly.