Transcript Report Elements

Report Elements
Fact vs. Discussion
http://web.mit.edu/rnk/OldFiles/www/FactCat.png
Basic Report Elements
•
•
•
•
•
•
Introduction
Method of Attaining Facts
Facts
Discussion
Conclusions
Recommendations
From Anderson, P. V. (2007). Technical communication: A reader-centered approach. Thomson/Wadsworth.
Fact: What do you know that is useful to us?
From Anderson, P. V. (2007). Technical communication: A reader-centered approach. Thomson/Wadsworth.
Facts are verifiable pieces of information.
• Laboratory data
• Survey responses
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fact
Archaefructus sinensis
125 million years old
Collected in Liaoning Province, China
Although it had no petals, this ancient
flower had closed fruits that protected
the seeds inside. This evolutionary leap
separated flowering plants from other
plants and probably led to their great
success.
http://www.mnh.si.edu/museum/news/firstflower/
On loan from the Florida Museum of
Natural History
Discussion: How do you interpret the
facts from our point of view?
From Anderson, P. V. (2007). Technical communication: A reader-centered approach. Thomson/Wadsworth.
Discussion is an interpretation of your
facts for your readers.
• Facts have no meaning
• Meaning is socially constructed
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discussion
Archaefructus sinensis
125 million years old
Collected in Liaoning Province, China
Although it had no petals, this ancient
flower had closed fruits that protected
the seeds inside. This evolutionary leap
separated flowering plants from other
plants and probably led to their great
success.
http://www.mnh.si.edu/museum/news/firstflower/
On loan from the Florida Museum of
Natural History
THE PROBLEM WITH FACTS.
FEATURE FILMS ARE THE
RESULT OF YEARS OF
SCIENTIFIC STUDY
COMBINED WITH THE
EXPERIENCE OF YEARS
http://www.wiefling.com/newsletters/fact.html
http://everydaytrash.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/marcel-duchamp-fountain.jpg
THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT
http://www.noogenesis.com/pineapple/blind_men_elephant.html