Include An Updated Version Of Your Outline At The Beginning

Include an updated version of your outline at the beginning

Include an updated version of your outline at the beginning of the document and begin the draft of the report on a new page. I do not expect you to turn in a 10 page paper at this point. Approach writing the paper as suggested in the YouTube video you should view (a link to the video and an outline of this video written by someone is included above). I am expecting to see that you made substantial progress in the body of the paper. At this point it is not critical that you remove all grammatical errors in what you have written. Submit a Word file. File Name: LastName_FirstName_Draft1.docx or .doc Must be submitted on time to receive credit for this assignment. IMPORTANT NOTICE : All 4 required drafts must submitted when due. If all the drafts are not submitted, the completed technical report (30% of semester grade) will not be accepted or graded. Each successive draft must show substantial improvements from the previous draft. You cannot submit the same draft 4 times.

Paper For Above instruction

The process of composing a technical report involves several critical stages, among which the development of an effective outline and subsequent drafting are paramount. This assignment specifically emphasizes the importance of updating the outline at the start of the report and progressing substantially in the body of the draft. The purpose of this exercise is to foster a structured approach to technical writing that emphasizes continuous improvement through multiple drafts, reflecting a thoughtful and rigorous editing process.

Initially, students are instructed to include an updated version of their outline at the beginning of the report. This updated outline serves as a roadmap that guides the development of the report and ensures that all key points and arguments are logically organized before detailed writing begins. The practice of revising and updating the outline enhances clarity and coherence, enabling the writer to identify gaps, redundancies, or weak points early in the process. Conducting this step promotes disciplined planning—an essential skill in technical communication—allowing students to focus their efforts effectively when drafting the specific sections of their report.

Following the outline update, students are instructed to begin drafting the report on a new page. At this stage, the emphasis is on making substantial progress in the body of the paper rather than perfecting every detail or grammatical element. This approach encourages students to transfer their ideas from outline to full paragraphs and sections, fostering a richer synthesis of research and analysis. As the instructions mention, it is acceptable at this stage if grammatical errors are still present; the priority is to develop a comprehensive draft that reflects significant progress, which can be refined in later iterations.

The assignment further underscores the importance of adhering to submission deadlines, specifically through the use of Word files named in a standardized format (LastName_FirstName_Draft1.docx). Timely submission is crucial to ensure that students receive proper credit and that subsequent grading and feedback cycles can occur smoothly. Additionally, the instructions note that all four drafts must be submitted to avoid penalties, highlighting the iterative nature of effective technical writing. Each draft builds upon the previous one, requiring improvements and refinements that enhance clarity, coherence, and depth—cornerstones of professional reports.

Engaging with the peer-reviewed or guided drafting process in this manner prepares students for real-world technical communication tasks, where multiple revisions and continuous refinement lead to high-quality outputs. This iterative process fosters skills in critical self-assessment, incorporation of feedback, and professional presentation—all essential qualities for success in technical disciplines including engineering, information technology, and scientific research.

References

  • Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (2008). The craft of research (3rd ed.). University of Chicago Press.
  • Gopen, G., & Swan, J. (1990). The science of scientific writing. American Scientist, 78(6), 550-558.
  • Hartley, J. (2008). Academic writing and publishing: A practical guide. Routledge.
  • Kleiman, G. M. (2010). The process of scientific writing. Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, 56(2), 146-151.
  • Lomax, C. (2013). Writing scientific papers in English: A comprehensive guide. Routledge.
  • Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2012). Academic writing for graduate students: Essential tasks and skills (3rd ed.). University of Michigan Press.
  • Turabian, K. L. (2018). A manual for writers of research papers, theses, and dissertations (9th ed.). University of Chicago Press.
  • Vomasta, J. (2014). Drafting and revising: A guide for technical writers. Technical Communication Quarterly, 23(1), 59-75.
  • Williams, J. M. (2003). Style: Ten lessons in clarity and grace. Longman.
  • Zinsser, W. (2006). on writing well: The classic guide to writing non-fiction. HarperCollins.