7 Tips For Writing A Chemistry Lab Report
A Chemistry lab report is always a formal file. Such a lab report is usually given as a project or an assignment while pursuing an undergraduate or matriculation course. A Chemistry report requires you to be particular about the analysis, structures, and formulas.
This is truly a challenging task although it is essential for getting good grades. At the academic level, you are required to deliver high performance in terms of writing, presenting, and research. This is the reason why it becomes somewhat complicated to write a Chemistry report.
This post will make it simpler for you to write such a report by sharing some most important tips. Here are these tips for you to follow and be prepared:
1. Comprehend Your Audience before Writing
This is where most students seem to be ignorant. Your audience is your professor or committee members to whom you will be submitting your Chemistry lab report. The process of writing this report can be intimidating if you will be doing so for the first time.
To avoid this feeling, it is essential to know your professor. Usually, different professors need different formatting. So, just go ahead and ask your professor as to what is needed in the report, as this is something that differs from one professor to another. This will give a clear idea of what is expected from you.
2. Avoid Procrastination or Laziness
If you want to submit the most remarkable lab report, then do not give scope to laziness and procrastination. If you delay, you will miss your deadline and this can end up with a low grade. If you show laziness, you are likely to miss the important aspects of this formal report.
A lab report is for somebody who wishes to rebuild the experiment. Thus, everything in it must be precisely presented. Explain all variables, support everything with the experiment’s observations and data, always show a data table below any graph, and label figures. Further, always print a lab report to keep the risk of illegible handwriting at bay.
3. Avoid Wikipedia as a Source
It is true that Wikipedia is a good platform for having a general idea of any subject or topic. However, it is not reliable to be cited as a resource in a lab report, as the stakes are high. After all, an experiment is involved wherein all measurements, materials, and procedures need to be precise.
You cannot rely on Wikipedia, as the content on a page related to a chemical experiment is open for editing by anyone. If a Wikipedia page mistakenly says to use y grams of a chemical, your experiment can be ruined. It may also lead to an unsafe environment for your group.
4. Write Clearly and Concisely
Clear writing is indispensable, especially when complex and detailed experimental data are discussed. Ensure that you mean what you say but in as few words as possible and short sentences.
Remember, a Chemistry lab report is not a dissertation; it needs to be concise and to the point. Do not give unrelated details and avoid repetitions.
Clear writing also means to ensure grammatical, spelling, and punctuation accuracy. This will make it easier to comprehend what you have written. Further, your writing should be free of personal opinion as well as biased phrases. Just tell the facts.
5. Know the Meanings
Most students make a common mistake in writing the essential terms without understanding them. Even if it is explained in the report, the chances are high for that explanation to be copied.
Thus, it is important to know the meaning of big words or terms. This will make it easier to write the report.
6. Use the Third Person
A Chemistry report is a formal report. Thus, there is no scope for using I, my, and me while explaining an experimental procedure. Although this can be somewhat challenging to get used to initially, just focus on the words you use.
7. Only Past Tense for Experiment Explanation!
Students often remain confused as to which verb tense to use or are just not aware that they need to use a specific tense while explaining an experiment. Well, only past tense should be used, as students need to show as if it has been conducted.
For an effective Chemistry lab report, you need to be to the point, concise, and use the formal tone.