TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING &

PRESENTATION SKILLS FOR ENGINEERS

AND TECHNICAL PROFESSIONALS

BY

ENGR. ISRAEL ESEHOGHENE ABRAHAM

MNSE MNIEEE MIEEE MNIM FWASUP FCAI FNIPE

SENIOR OPERATIONS ENGINEER

TRANSMISSION COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC
abrahameisrael@gmail.com. *+234 80520 95814

FOR

THE NIGERIAN SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS

MANDATORY COMPULSORY
PROFESIONAL REFRESHER COURSE FOR
PROSPECTIVE CORPORATE MEMBERS

FEBRUARY, 2017
TABLE OF CONTENT
SECTION A: TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING ................................................................... 2
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 2
1.1. DEFINITION AND NATURE OF TECHNICAL REPORTS ........................................... 2
1.2. PURPOSE OF TECHICAL REPORTS ............................................................................. 2
1.3. TYPES OF TECHICAL REPORTS ................................................................................... 3
1.4. CHARACTERISTICS OF TECHICAL REPORTS ........................................................... 4
1.5. VISUALS/ ILLUSTRATING REPORTS AND SPECIFICATIONS ................................ 4
1.6. GOOD GRAMMAR & SPECIFICITY .............................................................................. 4
1.7. KEY FEATURES OF ANY REPORTS ............................................................................. 5
1.8. TARGET AUDIENCE OF THE REPORT ........................................................................ 5
2.1. COMPONENTS OF A TECHNICAL REPORT ............................................................... 5
2.2. GENERAL GUIDELINES TO TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING ................................ 6
3. PRESENTATION .................................................................................................................. 8
4. PLANNING THE REPORT .................................................................................................. 8
4.1. MAJOR STAGES OF REPORT ........................................................................................ 8
4.1.1. Collecting the Data ...................................................................................................... 9
4.1.2. Analysing and Sorting the Result ................................................................................ 9
4.1.3. Outlining the Report .................................................................................................... 9
4.1.4. Writing the Rough Draft/ Putting it all Together ......................................................... 9
4.1.5. Revising the Rough Draft/ Editing your report at the Macro and Micro Level ......... 10
5. DIAGRAMS, GRAPHS, TABLES AND MATHEMATICS ............................................. 10
6. CHOOSING STYLE OF WRITING ................................................................................... 10
7. THE REPORT LAYOUT/APPEARANCE......................................................................... 11
8. HEADINGS ......................................................................................................................... 11
9. ORIGINALITY AND PLAGIARISM ................................................................................ 11
10. FINALISING THE REPORT ............................................................................................ 11
11. THE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................. 11
12. PROOFREADING ............................................................................................................. 11
13. WORD PROCESSING / DESKTOP PUBLISHING ........................................................ 12
14. RECOMMENDED READING/REFERENCES ............................................................... 12
15. THE NIGERIAN SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS (NSE) PROFESIONAL REPORT ........ 12
15.1. THE VOLUME I: THE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REPORT .......................... 12
15.2. THE VOLUME II: THE TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE REPORT ............................... 13
15.4. SPECIAL NOTE TO ALL PROSPECTIVE NSE INTERVIEW CANDIDATES: ....... 13
15.5. COMMON DEFECTS OBSERVED IN EARLIER REPORTS .................................... 14
SECTION B: PRESENTATION SKILLS FOR ENGINEERS AND TECHNICAL
PROFESSIONALS .................................................................................................................. 15

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 SECTION A: TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING

1. INTRODUCTION

Contrary to current layman thinking that engineering works only involve working with
machineries, many tasks performed by an engineer involve writing. Written communication,
in fact, is an integral part of engineering tasks. The ability to write a technical report in a clear
and concise manner is a mark of a good engineer. An engineer must be able to translate the
formulae, numbers, and other engineering abstractions into an understandable written form.

In Engineering, one of the major forms of communication is the technical report. This is the
conventional format for reporting the results of research works, investigations, and design
projects. In the University, reports are read by lecturers and tutors in order to assess the
mastery of a given subject and to determine the ability to apply knowledge to a practical task.
In the workplace, they will be read by managers, clients, and the construction engineers
responsible for building from your designs. The ability to produce a clear, concise, and
professionally presented report is therefore a skill you will need to develop in order to
succeed both at the workplace and in your future career. Technical report writing is one of the
requirements presently prescribed for admission into the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
While reports vary in the type of information they present (for example, original research, the
results of an investigative study, or the solution to a design problem), all share similar
features and are based on a similar structure.

1.1. DEFINITION AND NATURE OF TECHNICAL REPORTS

A technical report also referred to as a scientific report is a written document that describes
the process, progress, or results of technical or scientific research/investigation in a coherent
and logical manner. It is divided into sections which allow different readers to access
different levels of information. It might also include recommendations and conclusions of the
research/investigation. Unlike other scientific literature, such as scientific journals and the
proceedings of some academic conferences, technical reports rarely undergo comprehensive
independent peer review before publication.

How often do you find yourself at the conclusion of a large project facing the task of
delivering on the final milestone the technical report, accompanied by a presentation to a
group of stakeholders? For most of us in engineering and other technical professions, this is
part of the job description. It is assumed that we are ready to turn the tables of results and
graphs into a sound report, clear and concise, before the deadline. How often do you walk
away after that presentation feeling drained of energy, thinking that next time youll do a
better job, that the final report will reflect your work more positively and professionally?
How many of us had been taught formally how to structure these reports and how to deliver
those superb presentations?

1.2. PURPOSE OF TECHICAL REPORTS

A technical report, whether commissioned, routine, or produced on the author's initiative,

normally aims to achieve one or more of the following objectives:

i. Accurately and objectively compose and present information on an object, idea,

process, or event (the "communication objective")

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 ii. Promote or "sell" an idea, product or service through rational/logical presentation (the
"marketing objective")
iii. Clarify issues that may have remained obscure before the report was produced (the
"educational objective")
iv. Put forward ideas in a conventional, usable or acceptable form (the "social objective")
v. Recommend a specific course of action, or non-action (the "judicial objective").

Thus, a well written technical report may perform the function of informing, educating,
clarifying, socialising, modifying attitudes, or directing behaviour, in an organisation. Even
reports that are produced for mere record purposes perform these functions to varying
degrees. In the industry, the ultimate purpose and function of all reports is to facilitate
management's rational/profitable decision-making. You should always keep in mind the
purpose or function that a technical report is written to serve and ensure that no aspect of it
contradicts such purpose or function. If more than one function or purpose is to be served by
the report, then you should designate one as primary and the other(s) as secondary. You
should never leave the reader of your report in any doubt as to its primary purpose or
function.

1.3. TYPES OF TECHICAL REPORTS

It is useful for you to know the various types of technical reports that can be written.
However, being able to classify reports is by itself not of much use simply because one
classification is as good as another. For example, reports may be classified according to:

i. Degree of formality: E.g. formal and informal reports

ii. Length: E.g. long and short reports
iii. Regularity: E.g. routine, periodic, or occasional reports, annual, biannual, or quarterly
reports
iv. Phase: E.g. interim, pilot, progress, or terminal reports; and
v. Format: E.g. alarm form, letter form, schematic form, or mixed form.

You are more likely, however, to see and write technical reports that are classified by content,
such as:

a. Occurrence report: describes an event, such as flood disaster

b. Field trip report: written by an engineer, agricultural specialist, or technologist just
back from a field assignment
c. Feasibility report: develops and analyses an idea or concept or project to assess
whether it is economically or technically feasible
d. Investigation report: any form of report in which you describe how to perform tests,
examine data, elicit or weigh tangible evidence in order to arrive at your conclusions
e. Evaluation report: similar to, but not exactly the same as the investigation or
feasibility report. In an evaluation report you:

i. start with the idea to be developed (evaluated)

ii. establish controlling guidelines

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 iii. evaluate the idea or concept in light of the parameters set and data collected
iv. conduct tests to prove or disprove your theories, and
v. draw conclusions about the soundness or otherwise of the given idea or concept.

In practical terms, a given technical report is likely to combine many of the features normally
used in classifying reports. You may not always need to know what type of report you are
writing, but there will be times when it becomes very important to do so in order to ensure
that you are doing the right thing at the right time and in the right place for the right target
audience.

1.4. CHARACTERISTICS OF TECHICAL REPORTS

Technical accuracy: The accuracy of a document is the responsibility of its writer. Most
engineers produce their own reports, but as they are not usually trained typists, careful
checking is essential. Pay attention to spellings, punctuations, style, grammar etc.

Consistency: Be consistent in the use of units, punctuations, abbreviations, British/American

English etc.

Clarity: This is important for easy comprehension by the non-technical reader in particular.
This can be achieved by avoiding the use of jargon in a 'generalist' report, and organising the
material in your report carefully.

Conciseness: You should say what you have to say in the shortest possible form. Brevity or
conciseness makes reading your report less time-consuming for busy executives. Present your
report in brief sections with sub-titles, rather than in one long, unbroken piece. Avoid
needless repetition.

1.5. VISUALS/ ILLUSTRATING REPORTS AND SPECIFICATIONS

Diagrams are an essential part of many technical reports, in some circumstances giving a
great deal of information more easily than continuous prose could do. Clarification of the
general situation or of complex details is often most readily accepted by the reader if it is
presented in a way which is both visually attractive and easy to use. The use of tables,
graphics, equations and pictures makes for clarity. A picture tells a thousand words

1.6. GOOD GRAMMAR & SPECIFICITY

Special language and grammatical articulations are a necessity when writing a Technical
Report, these are:

i. Third person reporting

ii. Careful use of capitalisation
iii. Avoid vague language
iv. Define acronyms before use
v. Complete system description before individual components
vi. Keep it simple

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1.7. KEY FEATURES OF ANY REPORTS

Reports are designed for quick and easy communication of information

Reports are designed for selective reading
Reports use sections with numbered headings and subheadings
Report use figures and diagrams to convey data.

1.8. TARGET AUDIENCE OF THE REPORT

The Audience is the most important aspect of any report. The following criteria of the target
audience must be considered based on Age, Educational level, General background and
Knowledge of subject of the matter. In general, knowing your audience to ensure that your
message is conveyed with clarity is further enhanced through the following;

The importance of audience awareness

Identifying and addressing your skills as a technical writer: What are your key
strengths and weaknesses?

Gathering constructive criticism and feedback about your writing and how to apply that
effectively to your report.

2.1. COMPONENTS OF A TECHNICAL REPORT

Depending on the type of technical report you write, it is always necessary for you to
understand why some components will always be included and why some may be excluded.
A technical report is usually divided into three parts:

i. Preliminary parts
ii. Main text
iii. Supplementary parts

Each of these parts are further divided as outlined below:

Preliminary parts:

i. Cover
ii. Title page
iii. Copyright notice
iv. Acknowledgement
v. Transmittal letter
vi. Terms of reference
vii. Scope and limitation
viii. List of tables, figures, symbols and abbreviations
ix. Table of content

Main text:

i. Executive summary
ii. Introduction

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 iii. Body of report
a. Data collection
b. Analysis and interpretation of data
c. Results/Findings
d. Discussion of results
iv. Conclusions
v. Recommendations

Supplementary parts:

i. References/bibliography
ii. Appendices
iii. Glossary and index

2.2. GENERAL GUIDELINES TO TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING

To clearly understand the step by step road of preparing a good and acceptable technical
report, let us examine the various ingredients that make a technical report as below presented.
This guide explains the commonly accepted format for a technical report; gives hints on how
to go about drafting and refining a report in order to produce an accurate, professional
document.

Cover: the cover of a commissioned technical report should be done in colour and carry the
logo of the pertinent organisation. The quality of paper varies from glossy bond paper to
treated cardboard, depending on the funds available and the importance attached to the role of
the report in shaping the image of the organisation.

Title page: This announces the subject-matter, the writer(s) of the report, the occasion and,
possibly, the purpose and target of the report. It should also carry the month and year of the
report.

Copyright notice: a copyright statement should accompany the report

Acknowledgement: You should acknowledge any significant help that you received from
any individual. Specifically, you should acknowledge the source of special equipment,
cultures or other materials. Further, you should acknowledge the help of anyone who
contributed significantly to your study or to the interpretation of your data. The important
element in acknowledgements is simple courtesy.

Transmittal letter: A short, formal letter normally accompanies a commissioned report. In

essence, it says, "here's the report you asked me/us to write. 1/We hope you find it useful."

Terms of reference: A commissioned report should contain the agreed terms of reference for
the report. While the primary value of this part of the report is to enable the clients evaluate
the product they had contracted to pay for, it may also serve to adjudicate in any dispute
between the clients and the writer(s) of the report.

Scope and limitation: You should make your scope notes clear and precise. Any known
limitations of the report should be similarly stated.

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List of tables, figures, symbols and abbreviations: a list of all figures and tables should be
provided alongside their location in the report. All symbols used should be defined. The same
applies to all abbreviations used in the report.

Table of content: Numbers and lists all section and subsection headings with page numbers.
You should make this as detailed as possible, especially for reports that have many sub-
sections and sub-subsections

Executive summary: this is a rather comprehensive overview of what the reader is going to
find in the body of the report. You should write it keeping in mind the busy executive who
will have neither the inclination nor the time to read the whole of your report.

Introduction: States the objectives of the report and comments on the way the topic of the
report is to be treated. Leads straight into the report itself. Must not be a copy of the
introduction in a lab handout.

Body of report: this is the main part of the report

Data collection: You should endeavour to give as much detail here as is necessary to leave
your reader in no doubt whatsoever about which methods you have used

Analysis and interpretation of data: the data collected must be analysed. Sometimes, you
have to compare your analysis and interpretation with those of previous investigators.

Results/Findings: these are the outcomes of your investigation. The important point here is
that you list your results/findings in a logical manner most suitable for the kind of study you
are reporting.

Discussion of results: Your discussion should lead logically to your conclusions for the
study, and you will be wise to number all your conclusions for easy grasp.

Conclusions: A short, logical summing up of the theme(s) developed in the main text.

Recommendations: Based on the conclusions, your recommendations are also best presented
in a numbered list and justified with the pertinent conclusions. Since this may be the only
section of your report that many important readers will have time for, you should give deep
thought to writing it. In particular, always remember that your recommendations must derive
scientifically from material within, not outside, the report.

References/bibliography: Unless your report is essentially academic, a list of references in the

report will do without a bibliography. The important point for you to note is that the
references must be listed in accordance with the rules of a specified house-style or published
text. A bibliography includes all documentary sources consulted but not necessarily
mentioned in the main body of your report.

Appendices: This is where to place statistics, photographs, questionnaires, interview

schedules, and such other information necessary to your report but too cumbersome to
include in the main body without disturbing your trend of thought.

Glossary and index: This is a list of keywords in the report

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3. PRESENTATION

For technical reports required as part of an assessment, the following presentation guidelines
are recommended:

Script: The report must be printed single sided on white A4 paper. Hand written or dot-
matrix printed reports are not acceptable.

Margins: All four margins must be at least 2.54 cm.

Page numbers: Do not number the title, summary or contents pages. Number all other pages
consecutively starting at 1.

Binding: A single staple in the top left corner or 3 staples spaced down the left hand margin.
For longer reports (e.g. Voluminous project Report) binders may be used.

4. PLANNING THE REPORT

There are some excellent textbooks that may contain advice about the writing process and
how to begin. Here is a checklist of the main stages:

Collect your information. Sources include laboratory handouts, lecture notes, the
University Library, the reference books and journals in the Department office. Keep
an accurate record of all the published references which you intend to use in your
report, by noting down the following information:

Journal article: Book:

author(s) author(s)
title of article title of book (italic or underlined)
name of journal (italic or underlined) edition, if appropriate
year of publication publisher
volume number (bold) year of publication
issue number, if provided (in brackets)
page numbers

Creative phase of planning: Write down topics and ideas from your researched material in
random order. Next arrange them into logical groups. Keep note of topics that do not fit into
groups in case they come in useful later. Put the groups into a logical sequence which covers
the topic of your report.

Structuring the report: Using your logical sequence of grouped ideas, write out a rough
outline of the report with headings and subheadings.

4.1. MAJOR STAGES OF REPORT

There are five (5) major stages of Report preparation. These are:

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 Collecting the data
Analysing and sorting the results
Outlining the report
Writing the rough draft
Revising the rough draft

4.1.1. Collecting the Data

An orderly investigation is a requisite for an orderly report
Ability to foresee the report at the beginning of the project
Maintenance of orderly records of data

4.1.2. Analysing and Sorting the Result

Most difficult aspect of report writing
Most important as the source of conclusion
Only relevant data is needed
Limiting sentence
Single sentence that states the subject, scope, and purpose of report. Example
Subject : The Nigerian Society of Engineers Professional Registration Report
Writing
Scope: covering the fundamentals of organizing, writing, and reviewing NSE
technical reports,
Purpose : was written to improve the writing skills of Prospective Corporate
Members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers

4.1.3. Outlining the Report

Outlining is a vital preliminary step to report writing. It involves the planning needed
to prepare a clear report that is logically organized, concise, and easy to read
The more details the more useful
A report must have a beginning, middle and end
Beginning: This is the introduction
Middle: Middle of report. Must contain
facts and analysis of facts
Summaries of facts and observations
Informed decisions based on facts and observations
Troubleshooting:
Analysis of present situations
Diagnosis of problems and weaknesses
Reasons of problems and weaknesses
End: Final section. Should be
the Recommendations
Cost benefit of implementing the recommendations
Firm plan to achieve the recommendations

4.1.4. Writing the Rough Draft/ Putting it all Together

Preparing the master copy

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 What to include in the introduction, the body and conclusion based on planned
content
Using language and grammar appropriately to present and comment on your findings
and results
Choosing between the active and the passive voice
Creating a logical flow in your writing and using the same to come to a conclusion
What is more important than how in first rough draft
In second, style becomes important
clear, logical, concise, honest, and tactful
Use few, familiar and precise words

4.1.5. Revising the Rough Draft/ Editing your report at the Macro and Micro Level
Reading as an editor rather than a writer
Supporting documentation required in to save you re-inventing the wheel
Recognizing and addressing structural issues with your writing
Identifying and adjusting paragraphs and sentences
Learning to make systematic judgments about micro-level editing
Look at the report as a fresh reader
Do not speed-read
Give your report to a member of your audience
Use your friend at this stage

5. DIAGRAMS, GRAPHS, TABLES AND MATHEMATICS

It is often the case that technical information is most concisely and clearly conveyed by
means other than words. Imagine how you would describe an electrical circuit layout using
words rather than a circuit diagram. Here are some simple guidelines:

Diagrams/Graphs: Keep them simple. Draw them specifically for the report. Put small
diagrams after the text reference and as close as possible to it. Think about where to place
large diagrams.

Tables: Is a table the best way to present your information? Consider graphs, bar charts or
pie charts. Position them as close as possible to the text reference. Complicated tables should
go in an appendix.

Mathematics: Only use mathematics where it is the most efficient way to convey the
information. Longer mathematical arguments, if they are really necessary, should go into an
appendix.

6. CHOOSING STYLE OF WRITING

How to create clear sentences that convey a message and replicates the results from
your field of expertise
Avoiding jargon, redundancy and wordiness

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 Although by nature technical writing involves sophisticated and sometimes obscure
language, it should not prevent technical writers from being clear, up-to-the-point, and
understandable to even the man in the street.

7. THE REPORT LAYOUT/APPEARANCE

The appearance of a report is no less important than its content. An attractive, clearly
organised report stands a better chance of being read. Use a standard, 12 pt, font, such as
Times New Roman, for the main text. Use different font sizes, bold, italic and underline
where appropriate but not to excess. Too many changes of type style can look very fussy.

8. HEADINGS

Use heading and sub-headings to break up the text and to guide the reader. They should be
based on the logical sequence which you identified at the planning stage but with enough
sub-headings to break up the material into manageable chunks. The use of numbering and
type size and style can clarify the structure.

9. ORIGINALITY AND PLAGIARISM

Whenever you make use of other people's facts or ideas, you must indicate this in the text
with a number which refers to an item in the list of references. Any phrases, sentences or
paragraphs which are copied unaltered must be enclosed in quotation marks and referenced
by a number. It is not sufficient to list the sources of information at the end of the report; you
must indicate the sources of information individually within the report using the reference
numbering system. It is a serious offence if you do not acknowledge the source of your
information and you may be called before a disciplinary panel.

10. FINALISING THE REPORT

Your report should now be nearly complete with an introduction, main text in sections,
conclusions, properly formatted references and bibliography and any appendices. Now you
must add the page numbers, contents and title pages and write the summary.

11. THE SUMMARY

The summary, with the title, should indicate the scope of the report and give the main results
and conclusions. It must be intelligible without the rest of the report. Many people may read,
and refer to, a report summary but only a few may read the full report, as often happens in a
professional organisation.

12. PROOFREADING

This refers to the checking of every aspect of a piece of written work from the content to the
layout and is an absolutely necessary part of the writing process. You should acquire the habit
of never sending or submitting any piece of written work, from email to course work, without
at least one and preferably several processes of proofreading. In addition, it is not possible for
you, as the author of a long piece of writing, to proofread accurately yourself; you are too

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familiar with what you have written and will not spot all the mistakes. Double check your
report yourself then give it to someone else, e.g. one of your colleague or superiors to read
carefully and check for any errors in content, style, structure and layout. You should record
the name of this person in your acknowledgements.

13. WORD PROCESSING / DESKTOP PUBLISHING

It is advisable to use word processing and desktop publishing packages. It offers great scope
for endless revision of a document. This includes words, word order, style and layout. They
can be used to make a document look stylish and professional. They make the process of
proofreading and revision extremely straightforward

14. RECOMMENDED READING/REFERENCES

For any report written, there may be need, where applicable, to give references to further
guide your audience or to inform them of the sources of some information used in the Report.
This is aptly captured as below:

Davies J.W. Communication Skills - A Guide for Engineering and Applied Science
Students (2nd ed., Prentice Hall, 2001)

Pfeiffer W.S. Pocket Guide to Technical Writing (Prentice Hall 1998)

Eisenberg A. Effective Technical Communication (McGraw-Hill 1992)

Lecture notes: Dr Helen Prance, School of Enging and Design, The University of
Sussex; 04.2010

15. THE NIGERIAN SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS (NSE) PROFESIONAL REPORT

The NSE has its unique way of admitting its members. The process involves report on
practical experience gained, objective questions, oral interview and essay writing exercises.
The aim of this presentation is to guide participants on how to cross each of these hurdles
effectively through knowledge of effective report writing skills, format, font, Paper, colour of
cover and binding prescriptions, etc.

The NSE Report consist of three volumes usually referred to as:

a. The Professional Experience Report (Resume)

b. The Technical Experience Report

c. The Accompanying Drawing & Appendixes

15.1. THE VOLUME I: THE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REPORT

General introduction of the Report and self

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 Should contain your detailed or expanded CV, chronicled serially to expose
educational background, Trainings, workshops, Seminars, Conferences, places of
engagement, job description and responsibilities in the practice of engineering

Statement of experience as submitted in your Application form; various jobs

undertaken, brief description of the overall contents of the Report as captured in each
chapter or projects involved in

Your challenges in the various projects undertaken or Problems encountered and

solutions proffered/What have you learnt

General conclusion of the Report. special attention is further made to address the
audience what the Report is meant for by concisely stating a personal view that align
with the general submission of your Report

Recommendation to NSE (if any)

Appendixes where available

15.2. THE VOLUME II: THE TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE REPORT

The technical report is the detailed explanation (step by step) of how engineering jobs were
carried out successfully by the author of the report. A minimum of two (2) jobs are
practically described to educate the engineering family of your practical involvement in
engineering practice, especially the examiners who the report must satisfy in both content and
context. Here, there can be one or more chapters as the case may be depending on the length
of the report. Each chapter should contain the following:

Introduction of the specific Project/job involved in

Statement of the problem in clear terms
Scope of the project, location, status and date
Equipment, apparatus, manpower and management or operations requirements
Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME)
Design calculations, design drawings, photoshots, pictures, graphs, etc
- Problems encountered while undertaking the job/Project and their present
status
Conclusions and recommendations

15.3. THE VOLUME III: THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING & APPENDIXES

The Volume III of any NSE report is the collection of design drawings, design computations
and other associated documentations that could not be accommodated as part of Volume I or
II. This Volume could otherwise be referred to as the appendix report of the first two reports
and it is expected that reference is made on the document therein.

15.4. SPECIAL NOTE TO ALL PROSPECTIVE NSE INTERVIEW CANDIDATES:

The following instructions are worth noting

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 Three copies of bound reports to be submitted for each volume
A4 size paper is to be used
Spacing of inch (16mm) on top, bottom and right side of each page except
the title page and the first page of each chapter which has to be 2/3 inches
(18mm)
Spacing of 3/2 inch (38mm) on left side of each page for ease of binding
Title should be centred
A certification page must be included that will have a Registered Engineer
appending or attesting to your competence
Manuscript should be double spaced
(Allow an extra half space above a line containing superscript and below one
containing subscript)
Page numbering should be at bottom of page and centred
12 Times New Roman should be the font
- Neatness
- Obedience to special guidelines (If any)
Timely submission

15.5. COMMON DEFECTS OBSERVED IN EARLIER REPORTS

Spelling mistakes
Bad appearance
Disobedience
Late submission
Checklist for Authors: Is the title well written?
Are the Abstract, Summary, Introduction, and Conclusions included?
Are report headings of equal weight and written in the same form or format?
Is the system of units used consistent?

The presenter of this course should use real life experience scenarios to explain the various
segments of this subject.

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 SECTION B: PRESENTATION SKILLS FOR ENGINEERS AND TECHNICAL
PROFESSIONALS

Every written report is presented in one form or the other to the intended readership of same.
It can either be written delivery or oral (verbal) delivery by the writer. Such report can be
research findings, investigation findings or even professional experience memoirs as captured
in the NSE Professional Report. Whatever type of report so produced will require one form of
final presentation to the intended audience. The best known form of verbal Report
presentation is through the use of Power point (Slide) presentation.

Preparing the Opening to Capture your Audience

Deciding on a flow structure

Using transitions to lead your audience through

Preparing and Using PowerPoint Slides

From outlines to bullet points

Managing your text to support your message

Ensuring consistency in background and fonts

Using visuals and graphics in your slides

Using animation effectively

Optimising your Effectiveness to Create a Positive Impact

Presenting a confident and professional visual image

Choosing words that project a positive image and appeal to the audiences needs

Improving your vocal delivery

Gestures, body language, eye contact

Making an effective ending.

Handling Questions and Questioners Effectively

Fielding questions

Managing answers

Handling difficult situations

Short talk guidelines

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 Impromptu session

On a final note, my personal and professional experience has made me to conclude that the
real difference between a professional and a non professional is the ability to write a Report,
albeit, a Technical Report.

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