Technical Reports
Checklist
Each paper should be turned in with a checklist to ensure you have completed the requirements for that project. The checklist will also tell you how many points will be taken off for infractions. Note that it is entirely possible to spend a good deal of time writing a paper for this class and come out with a very low grade on your first try. This is why you can turn in a paper up to 3 times. Don't be discouraged, but also don't wait until the last minute!
Writing Help
IIT has a writing center to help you. It is especially useful for students for whom English is a second language. Use it!
I'm perfectly OK with you using ChatGPT and other AIs to improve your writing. BUT, I want to know how you are using it. Please indicate at the end of the paper if you used any AI programs and what prompts you used. I tried the following and it seemed to work fairly well:
Formatting
All reports must be written using the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) template. I require this because it creates professional looking documents.
Working in Microsoft Word or Google Docs
I suggest typing directly into the template to keep the formatting. Be careful though, Word easily can become broken (think placing figures in odd places that don't make sense). That is why I suggest....
Working in Latex
Writing in Latex gets you 1 bonus point if you achieve a grade of 9/12 or better. You can use any Latex program you like; however, I have found that overleaf is a great online editor. You can share the file with me, so I can also comment directly in the program. This will ensure you get your paper returned to you as quickly as possible. I also grade all overleaf document prior to documents turned in by hand. The latex template is given above in the formatting link. Just unzip it and upload the ieeetran.cls file and the .tex file to overleaf. Then edit the .tex file directly. There are a lot of online resources for you to learn latex. Just search for "getting started in Latex." You can also stop by my office hours for help. Writing in latex will ensure that your formatting is correct. To prove that you have written the document in latex (if you don't submit it with Overleaf) write "This document was written in \LaTeX" at the end of your paper.
To include the engineering drawings at the end of the paper, use the package \pdfpages.
To include the checklist, just upload it to overleaf and I should be able to see it.
Each paper should be turned in with a checklist to ensure you have completed the requirements for that project. The checklist will also tell you how many points will be taken off for infractions. Note that it is entirely possible to spend a good deal of time writing a paper for this class and come out with a very low grade on your first try. This is why you can turn in a paper up to 3 times. Don't be discouraged, but also don't wait until the last minute!
Writing Help
IIT has a writing center to help you. It is especially useful for students for whom English is a second language. Use it!
I'm perfectly OK with you using ChatGPT and other AIs to improve your writing. BUT, I want to know how you are using it. Please indicate at the end of the paper if you used any AI programs and what prompts you used. I tried the following and it seemed to work fairly well:
- Act as: Editor
- Degree of revision: Substantial Revision
- type of edit: Enhance clarity, conciseness, and consistency
- Change style to: Academic, PhD work
- Change tone to: Analytical
- Change reader comprehension level to: advanced, assume extensive prior knowledge
- Change length to: XXXX words (if needed)
Formatting
All reports must be written using the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) template. I require this because it creates professional looking documents.
Working in Microsoft Word or Google Docs
I suggest typing directly into the template to keep the formatting. Be careful though, Word easily can become broken (think placing figures in odd places that don't make sense). That is why I suggest....
Working in Latex
Writing in Latex gets you 1 bonus point if you achieve a grade of 9/12 or better. You can use any Latex program you like; however, I have found that overleaf is a great online editor. You can share the file with me, so I can also comment directly in the program. This will ensure you get your paper returned to you as quickly as possible. I also grade all overleaf document prior to documents turned in by hand. The latex template is given above in the formatting link. Just unzip it and upload the ieeetran.cls file and the .tex file to overleaf. Then edit the .tex file directly. There are a lot of online resources for you to learn latex. Just search for "getting started in Latex." You can also stop by my office hours for help. Writing in latex will ensure that your formatting is correct. To prove that you have written the document in latex (if you don't submit it with Overleaf) write "This document was written in \LaTeX" at the end of your paper.
To include the engineering drawings at the end of the paper, use the package \pdfpages.
To include the checklist, just upload it to overleaf and I should be able to see it.
Articles
Linkages
- Java animations of interesting linkages
- Cool 4-bar linkage spreadsheet made by Alex Slocum
Trebuchet
Arduino
Website: General website for Arduino. Contains installation instructions and simple examples.
Isometric Grid Paper
Download isometric grid paper here.