GUIDELINES FOR TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING

1.0 Organisation and Structure of the Report

Each report shall consist of the following parts

 Cover page with University logo at the top centre of the page

 Title Page

 Declaration Page

 Certification Page

 Acknowledgements Page

 Summary Page/Abstract

 Table of Contents

 List of Tables

 List of Figures

 List of Plates

 Abbreviations, Glossaries and Symbols

 Chapters of the Report Including Conclusion and Recommendations

 References (for final year project)

 Appendix(ces)

2.0 Formatting of the Report

2.1 Language and Style

The report must be written using United Kingdom (UK) English Language.

2.1.2 Write in Full

Always write in full the names of the organisations and institutions in full with abbreviation in

brackets first before subsequently using abbreviation alone. For Example;

 National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR)

 National Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR)

 Bayero University Kano (BUK)

 World Health Organisation (WHO)

2.1.3 Avoid Using Personal Pronouns

Avoid using first person pronoun in your report writing. The tone or the language used should be

impersonal. For example

 “I carried out my SIWES at National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research

(NIFFR), New-Bussa” use reported Speech “The SIWES was carried out at National

Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR), New-Bussa”

 “It is my opinion that ………” rather “It is the opinion of…..”

2.1.4 Use of Capital Letters

Use capital letters for proper names of people, places, institutions and organisations. For

Example;

 Abdullahi, Rabiu Kurfi and Sudawa, Munirat

 New-Bussa and Lagos

 National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR) and National Institute for

Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR)

2.1.5 Spelling and Grammar

Use of language and accuracy of expression is very important in report writing. The report must

be accurate and the language must be precise.

Proper attention should be paid to such skills as correct spelling, punctuation, sentence structure,

capitalization and proper use of italics. For example, Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

2.2 Typing Instructions

a) Paper size: use A4 Paper (21.0 × 29.7cm)

b) Typing: the following points should be noted

i. Type on one side only using Microsoft Word and Times New Roman.

ii. For the main body of the report, use twelve (12) font size.
 iii. Use double line spacing throughout, except for summery/abstract (single line

spacing) and the indented quotation footnotes should be typed in single spacing.

iv. Use Block Paragraphing i.e. one extra line space between paragraphs

v. Provide adequate margin -3.5 cm on left hand side margin, 2.5 cm on top and

bottom, and right hand side margins.

vi. Do not break word at the end of lines.

vii. Avoid a single sentence paragraph.

c) Quotations: Quotations that are fewer than fifty words may be integrated into the text

using double quotation marks at the beginning and end of quotation. For a quotation

within quotation, use single quotation marks e.g. “double ‘single’ doubled”

2.3 Tables, Figures and Plates

a) Tables

i. Tables should be constructed in such a way that they could be read and understood

without references to the text of your report. A table should therefore be simple,

presenting only one general kind of relationship.

ii. Each table should have a clear and self-explanatory title. Tables should be numbered

consecutively with Arabic numerals that conforms to the chapter throughout the

report writing. For example, for Chapter Two: Table 2.1, Table 2.2, Table 2.3 etc. the
 title of the table should be bold on top of the table close to the body of the table. The

content should be centralized.

b) Figures and Plates

i. Figures includes graphs, charts, drawings, maps and diagrams. The term ‘Figure

refers to any type of graphic illustration other than a table. Figures should be

clear, elegant and simple to interpret. Arabic numerals should also be used in

numbering figures with reference to the chapter e.g. figure 2.1, figure 2.2, figure

2.3 e.t.c. write figure in full when referencing within the text. NOTE: figures are

more common in thesis that you will write in your final year result

interpretations.

ii. Mounted illustrations such as photographs are usually refer to as PLATES. Use

Roman numerals to identify plates e.g. Plate I, Plate II, Plate III, Plate IV, Plate V

e.t.c. NOTE: Plate is more common in SIWES report because it is a practical year

report which contains photographs describing practical activities carried out in

the field.

c) Numbers and Dates

i. Dates should take the form of 11th April, 2021. Decades should be referred to

without the apostrophe e.g. 1990, 1980s, etc.

 ii. If you choose to use the percentage sign (%), do not mix with spelt out figures or

vice versa

2.4 References

SIWES report is a description of work done in practical year as such does not necessarily require

references except where necessary within the field of the practicals.

3.0 Common Mistakes in SIWES Report Writing

3.1` Observed Areas of Occurrence of Mistakes

Font size and Font character, language, punctuation, Organisation, spacing, numbering of sub

headings, declaration and certification pages, summary/Abstract and spellings,

acknowledgements, contents and paragraphs.

3.2 Possible Solutions to the Common Mistakes

3.2.1 Numbering of Subheadings

The numbering should not be beyond four figures e.g. 2.1.1.1

3.2.2 Summary/Abstract

Each of your report must contain Summary which must appear before table of content. It is a one

page description of abridged activities of your report of not more than 250-500 words. It should

be in single line spacing and blocked.

3.2.3 Table of Content/List of Table/List of Figures/List of Plates

 The table of contents is very important as it provides an insight into the Organisation of

the of the whole report

 Pages must tally with those in the main body of the report

 Align content to the left and pages to the right.

 Do not repeat all the word table/figure/plate severally.

 Main headings in the table of contents should be in uppercase and bold type (e.g.

INTRODUCTION, CHAPTER ONE) while others should be in lowercase.

3.2.3 Pagination

Pagination should be correctly and uniformly done. There should be no biro marks or hyphens

e.g. -2- on pages. Pagination should be done at the bottom of the page and centre justified.

Justification should be lowercase Roman numerals for preliminary pages e.g. i, ii, iii, iv, v but

Arabic numeral for main pages of the report e.g. 1, 2, 3, respectively

 COVER PAGE

A TECHNICAL REPORT

ON

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME

BY

NAME OF CANDIDATE

REGISTRATION NUMBER

DEPARTMENT OF THE CANDIDATE

BAYERO UIVERSITY KANO

AUGUST, 2021
 TITLE PAGE

A TECHNICAL REPORT ON STUDENTS’ INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME

HELD AT

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR FRESHWATER FISHERIES RESEARCH

(NIFFR), NEW-BUSSA, NIGER STATE

BY

NAME OF STUDENT

A REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE
IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD
OF DEGREE
IN B. FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE

SUPERVISOR

SUPERVISOR’S NAME

AUGUST, 2021
Note: Cover page and title page written at right hand side of the pages are just to describe the

pages to you therefore, should not be repeated on each of the page.