Technical Report Structure and Components

Technical reports are structured with front matter, main text, and back matter. The front matter includes the title and summary, while the main text covers the introduction, middle sections, and conclusion. The back matter supplements with appendices and references. Titles in technical writing are straightforward, and summaries provide a synopsis of the main text. The introduction answers key questions about the report's scope, importance, background, and arrangement. Each section should be autonomous, and the conclusion offers a future perspective. Appendices and references are crucial for supporting the main text.

What are the three main parts of a technical report?

• Title, Abstract, References

• Front Matter, Main Text, Back Matter

• Introduction, Methods, Results

• Introduction, Body, Conclusion

What does the front matter of a long technical report typically include?

• Introduction and Conclusion

• Title and Summary

• Abstract and References

• Cover, Title Page, Table of Contents

How are the page numbers of the front matter formatted in long reports?

• Alphabetical Letters

• Uppercase Roman Numerals

• Arabic Numerals

• Lowercase Roman Numerals

What is the main purpose of the title in a technical report?

• To attract readers

• To summarize the report

• To indicate the type of information contained

• To provide background information

What is a key characteristic of a summary in a technical report?

• It should be mysterious

• It should be detailed

• It should be catchy

• It should present a synopsis of the main text

What are the four questions that the introduction of a technical report should answer?

• Scope, Importance, Background, Arrangement

• Title, Summary, Introduction, Conclusion

• Purpose, Methods, Results, Discussion

• Audience, Scope, Methods, Results

What is the purpose of the concluding section in the main text?

• To introduce the report

• To list references

• To present detailed calculations

• To summarize the middle sections and provide a future perspective

What type of information is typically found in an appendix?

• Primary information for the main audience

• Secondary information for the primary audience

• Introduction to the report

• Summary of the report

How should each appendix be introduced in the main text?

• With a summary

• With a detailed explanation

• By name at least once

• With a reference citation

What is the purpose of reference citations in a technical report?

• To provide a summary

• To help the reader find the source

• To list the authors

• To introduce the report