How to Write a Physics Lab Discussion Report

Writing about something that is as precise as mathematics is a science. It can be difficult to find the exact phrasing and format to properly express those ideas. However, a little guidance and some ideas can get you started in the right direction.

Things You'll Need

• Relevant data
• Writing tools

Instructions

1. Write the abstract.

   When you start writing a lab report, it is important to get straight to the point. A proper lab report is prefaced by an abstract that answers the questions who, what, when and why about the salient topics. This is important because it outlines the report and helps support the later sections.

2. Build the bulk of the paper.

   The rest of the article fits an almost formulaic approach. An introduction follows the abstract and supplies the background information for the article and brings the reader into a gradual transition to the next section.

   The body section is next. This is where the bulk of the necessary information for the article is written.

   Finally, the conclusion wraps up any remaining questions and concludes any experiments or discussions.

3. Deal with specifics.

   Within the body of the paper there are several specific sections that may be needed. Procedure is one of the most common, as it outlines the procedure used to collect data. An analysis of the data is often included as are any diagrams. The body will be the longest section of the paper.

4. Be professional.

   Writing a lab discussion is not like writing a post on a blog. You should maintain professional language and style. Do not use contractions, and be very precise with the sentences. Labs can be difficult to understand, and a professional writing style can help with clarity.

Tips & Warnings

• Reports follow a specific format. However, each report is different and may require its own touch. So you must strike a balance between formula and specificity.

References

• Ohio University: How to Write a Lab Report