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CHAPTER 6: COMMUNICATION SKILL: REPORT, VISUAL & DIGITAL

SEMM 1921

INTRO TO MECH. ENG.

UTM JOHOR BAHRU

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2

  • Introduction
  • Report Structure
  • Elements in Report
  • References

CONTENTS

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1. Introduction

  • An engineer spends a considerable amount of time writing reports.
  • It is therefore important to develop the skills for report writing early in a future engineer’s life.
  • The report must be easily read and understood by your audience (whoever is going to read the report).

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Various types of Report as an Undergraduate Student

Laboratory

(Experimental)

Class Task

(Assignment)

Industrial Training

(Activities)

Thesis

(Final Year Project)

Journal Article

(Final Year Project)

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2. Report Structure

A typical technical report structure may consist of:

Title Page

Abstract/Summary

Table of Contents

List of Tables

List of Figures

List of Abbreviations & Symbols

List of Appendices

Main Report

Conclusion and Recommendation

References

Appendices

Industrial Training

(Activities)

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The Main Report element of a technical report may consist of the following items:

Introduction

Background

Literature Review

Project Description/Methodology

Results & Discussion

Industrial Training

(Activities)

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The Short Report (for laboratory report or class report) may consist of the following items:

Title of Paper

Author(s) and Affiliation(s)

Abstract

Keywords

Introduction

Materials & Methods

Results & Discussion

Conclusion

Acknowledgements

List of References

Industrial Training

(Activities)

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In general, a journal/conference article may consist of the following elements:

Title Page

Summary

Table of Contents

Introduction/Background

Project Description/Methodology

Results & Discussion

Conclusion

References

Industrial Training

(Activities)

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3. Elements in Report

Industrial Training

(Activities)

Elements

Description

Acknowledgement, Abstract, Table of Content, List of Tables & Figures, Abbreviations & Symbols, Appendices

In the sequence given, these should use roman numerals i.e. i, ii, iii, iv etc. The table of content should follow the preferred format as in the UTM’s Thesis Guidelines .

Abstract/ Summary

A brief summary of the project/work carried out highlighting purpose, methods and outcomes/key findings

Introduction

Introduce the project/work done. This should contain the Objective, Problem Statement (a statement defining the problem), Scope of Work, brief content of the following sections (what to expect). Do not forget to cite any references used.

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Industrial Training

(Activities)

Elements

Description

Background/Literature Review

Describe all related materials that have been studied/searched (from journal/conference papers, thesis, books) and relevant to the project e.g. Design process, possible materials characteristic, production processes, costs, currently available methods, systems or solutions, patent search results etc. Cite at the appropriate points in the text the names of the authors and the year the work was published. Include the theoretical background of the study/work.

Methodology (Method used to solve the problem)

Include description of experiment/numerical methods etc. Describe the procedures employed to conduct the study/project & instrumentation used. In a design project, it includes concept evaluation, concept development sketches and any detailed explanation of the various stages of work. Include description of tools/softwares used for analysis. Do not forget to cite any references used.

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Industrial Training

(Activities)

Elements

Description

Results and Discussion

Complete data gathered, properly presented in tables, graphs etc. Tables and figures properly captioned. Complete analysis with good supporting evidence. Discuss problems faced & their solutions. Describe relationship, trends, etc. Discuss the findings in-relation to theory and any deviation from the expected result. Include error/uncertainty analysis.

Conclusion

Explain briefly whether the objective(s) have been achieved and any deviation from the target. Highlight key findings & make recommendations. State limitations of the study and suggest future work/study

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Industrial Training

(Activities)

Elements

Description

References

The list of references should consist of a listing of sources actually cited, compiled either alphabetically (Harvard System), numerically (Number System) or American Psychological Association Style (APA Style).

Appendices

Put any information that can help the reader to understand some of the explanation in the report, if required. This information supports the report.

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4. References

Industrial Training

(Activities)

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Summary

Industrial Training

(Activities)

Do’s

Don’ts

  • Make sure all figures or tables have been described or discussed
  • The title of a table is placed above the table while the title of a figure is placed below the figure.

Do not forget page numbering

Use the spelling and grammar tools in the Word Processing software to help improve your English proficiency

  • Do not cut and paste or retype any sentence from other sources without proper referencing (Beware of Plagiarism!!!)
  • Plagiarism is unacknowledged use of the words or ideas of others & is a serious violation of academic integrity
  • Try to understand the information from other sources/references and summarize using your own words
  • Equation is centred-justified
  • Place the equation number in round brackets at the right-hand margin ex:

y = mx + c (1)

Do not forget to include citation which provide the source of a theory when you present the theory in the background/literature review.

Refer to UTM’s Thesis Guidelines on thesis preparation/organization and formatting: http://sps.utm.my/thesis-formatting-2018/

Do not forget to reference all sources of information

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  • Introduction
  • Visual Communication
  • Digital Communication

CONTENTS

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1. Introduction

Visual

Digital

COMMUNICATION

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2. Visual Communication

Visual communication is a method of exchanging information and ideas through visually appealing imagery and symbols.

It also include the photographs, illustrations, graphics, film,

typography, gestures etc. And many other mediums are

available to communicate your

message.

It is just like sending and giving

information in an interesting

way in which people can take

interest or participate.

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People rely on the visual communication most, and believed to be the best method of communicating each other. Studies show that almost 10% -12% people remember what they hear, 20% – 25% what they read and 70%-80% of people remember what they see. So you can understand which is the most interesting way of communication.

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Methods of Communication:

There are three types of communication

    • Visual Communication: Image, illustration, photograph, film, gestures, expressions etc.

    • Verbal Communication: Oral or speaking

    • Non Verbal Communication: tone, gestures, face expressions, body language etc.

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OBJECTS

MAPS

DRAWINGS OR DIAGRAMS

TABLES

PHOTOGRAPHS

GRAPHS

MODELS

Q

Discuss the

pros & cons

of using each

of these

elements

Visual Elements:

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Visual Aid Media:

SOCIAL MEDIA

COMPUTER PRESENTATIONS

PROJECTION EQUIPMENT

VIDEO EXCERPTS

HANDOUTS

POSTER BOARD

CHALKBOARD OR WHITEBOARD

SIMPLE TO ADVANCED

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3. Digital Communication

The Digital Revolution:

In the years since the invention of the first digital computers, computing power and storage capacity have increased exponentially. Personal computers and smartphones put the ability to access, modify, store and share digital media in the hands of billions of people.

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The Digital Revolution:

Many electronic devices, from digital cameras to drones have the ability to create, transmit and view digital media. Combined with the World Wide Web and the Internet, digital media has transformed 21st century society in a way that is frequently compared to the cultural, economic and social impact of the printing press.

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The Digital Revolution:

The change has been so rapid and so widespread that it has launched an economic transition from an industrial economy to an information-based economy, creating a new period in human history known as the Information Age or the digital revolution.

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The Digital Platforms:

EDITING…

PRESENTATION..

DATABASE ACCESS…

MANY MORE…

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THANK YOU

univteknologimalaysia

utmofficial

utm.my

In the Name of God for Mankind