It may seem obvious, but remember that your instructors are there to help. Did they provide handouts or online information with specific instructions on style, format, and a checklist of items to include in the report? Since expectations will vary from class to class, and sometimes even from report to report, it is important to understand what is being requested before organizing your results and beginning to write. A grading sheet specifying the number of points or relative weight given to each part of the report can help you to focus your efforts. Find out if your instructor will provide these in advance.

The ACS Style Guide, A Manual for Authors and Editors is an excellent resource with writing tips and detailed descriptions of the ACS writing conventions. This is also a required text for the chemistry writing intensive (WIC) classes CH 462 and CH 463. We strongly suggest that you invest some money in this reference as soon as you begin the integrated lab sequence.

The OSU Student Writing Center provides free writing assistance to OSU students. That could be the best deal on campus! Their services include one-on-one appointments to discuss your individual writing projects and questions and an on-line form for submitting work in progress for critical evaluation.

Some handy online resources

<< Presenting Data || Formats >>