Technical Writing
Final Paper Structure
Organization of Final Project Paper
- Introduction (Abstract)
One paragraph. The Abstract is a summary of your paper. It introduces the problem your technology aims to solve, describes what your technical proposal is, and how it solves the problem. The Abstract is the last part of the paper to be written, but it appears as the first paragraph on the first page.
- Statement of Need
The statement of need is a detailed description of the problem or issue that your solution attempts to solve. It will require documented sources, and may include graphic illustrations. For example, if you propose a new kind of silent car alarm that does not wake people up in the middle of the night, here is where you would document, with citations, the annual number of noise complaints the city receives due to car alarms.
- Technical Description
This is a technical description of the solution you are proposing, in detail, with illustrations as needed. Please note that it is not a sales pitch. Please avoid “infomercial tone,” both in the paper and in the presentation.
- Application of the System Improvement
Here you match the issues listed in the Statement of Need with the features of your proposed solution, to demonstrate how your solution addresses the need described.
- Conclusion
Introduce no new points in the conclusion, but state in new words why the time is right for your proposed technology/solution.