4. Other requirements 4.1 Software and Spell-check Work term reports should be prepared on computer software that is accessible to the author during an academic term so that corrections may be readily undertaken. The use of an electronic is expected. Note, however, that the Canadian version is expected if it differs from the U.S. version. 4.2 Standard International Units The International System (SI) of units should be used throughout the report. If the British (or Imperial) system of units is used during the work term, then SI equivalents must be quoted in parentheses immediately following the Imperial units. 5. Structure Work term reports should be organized in the following sequence: Front Cover – (no page number) Letter of Submittal – no page number Title Page – considered to be i, but not indicated Summary (or Executive Summary) – page ii Acknowledgments (optional) – page iii if included
that are cited specifically in the text or used as sources for tables and figures. General references not cited in the report should not be included in the reference list. There are several alternative styles of documentation. This work report follows the American Psychological Association (APA) style, which is summarized in both Hacker (1996) and Buckley (2003). These books also include discussions of citations and references. These books are available in the University of Waterloo Bookstore or the library. Other references are available in section PE 1408 of the Dana Porter Library. Appendix A of these guidelines also contains explanations and examples of common grammar errors. Appendix B contains copies of the overhead transparencies used by Barb Trotter in her lectures about common grammar errors. Appendix C is a checklist of sample errors that your computer can help you find. The following report excerpts (in italics) demonstrate common examples that show how references to literature should be cited in the text and incorporated in the reference list. 7.1 Journal Papers Lafontaine (1988) has measured wind loads on very tall exhaust stacks in the mining areas of the Sudbury region. or Several authors have measured wind loads on tall exhaust stacks in the mining areas of the Sudbury region (Lafontaine, 1988; Yung, 1982), and these measurements have been used to establish design wind loads.
Incorrect – The manager considered the result of the experiment and the opinion of the researcher. He determined that it should be the deciding factor. Correct – He determined that the researcher’s opinion should be the deciding factor. Always put a noun with the word “this.” Incorrect – This that you must be careful when you use pronouns. Correct – This rule that you must be careful when you use pronouns. // parallel structure Balanced expressions, such as ones with “and,” “or,” “not only…but also,” and comparisons, and items in a list should all have the same grammatical structure. Parallel structure avoids jarring the reader and also provides a navigational tool to clarify how the sentence fits together. She is responsible for stocking merchandise, all in-store repairs, writing orders for delivery, and sales of computers. (not parallel – 2 participles and 2 nouns) She is responsible for stocking merchandise, repairing items in the store, writing orders for delivery, and selling computers. (parallel) It is easier to hit the computer than determining the problem. (not parallel – one infinitive and one participle) Hitting the computer is easier than determining the problem. (parallel) It is easier to hit the computer than to determine the problem. (parallel) B.7 Both of the following formats are correct: Example – no punctuation The study of engineering will help you think clearly problems find a job Example – commas and a period The study of engineering will help you think clearly, solve problems, and find a job.