The main difficulty I have in my engineering classes is writing lab reports, particularly completing it within the given time frame. Most of the time, I could not finish my lab report in time. Basically the lab session takes about three hours long that includes experiment conducting and lab reports completion. However, I am unable to come out with the reports on time as I was stuck in the writing part. I was forced to forsake my lunch in order to finish my lab report and then I had to rush to my following tutorial classes. If I have the good skills in writing and summarizing, I can finish my lab report as fast as I can. It will save a lot of time.
Writing a good lab report requires both the engineering knowledge and English skills. It is not enough to have knowledge in our own modules or courses taken, good English writing is fundamental requirement in doing well in lab reports. I have difficulty in summarizing the concepts and physics laws as to avoid plagiarism. I find that it is difficult for me to use the short sentences to summarize the physics laws. The sentences which I used are incoherent. Besides, we have the discussion session with the lab assistant while doing the lab. We also need to summarize our discussions. I find that I cannot summarize all the main points and translate mathematic formulas into English. For example, after the discussion on “the principle of conservation of momentum”, I cannot really describe all of the conditions well. Although the tutor has physics background, he would still feel that the points do not flow. Lastly, I have difficulty in writing the conclusion because it needs to conclude all of the previous sections which I have done. Most of the time, my conclusion is irrelevant to the previous parts.
To tackle these problems, I need to use conjunctions to make the ideas flow freely. For examples, I must use the conjunctions to connect the two fragmented parts. Supporting details must be used directly to explain the concepts and ideas. Besides, I need to do more exercise of summary and try not to put unnecessary information in my conclusion. Redundant and irrelevant information will make the essays choppy.
In conclusion, I will keep reading the examples of lab reports on the ITSELF and try to improve my writing skills. Besides, physics lab report is done in a group of two, I will ask for suggestions from my partner and seek advice from the lab assistant.
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I have problems with writing my physic lab report as well. Normally I can't finish it within 3hours and luckily my physics lab falls on a friday so they allow us to do over the weekends. I think we need to practice more writing in order to write in a short amount of time. Guess I will have to learn from you by visiting the ITSELF often =)
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