Writing Common Technical Documents details the content for documents you are likely to write in first-year engineering.
#Standard word list indents professional#
A standard, professional font (e.g., Times New Roman, Cambria, Calibri).14 pt font for section headings (and “Memo” or other document label within a header).font in a consistent style throughout, including headers, footers, and visual labels Basic Formatting Standards for Lab DocumentsĪ few standards that should be used in most lab documents, unless specified otherwise: Sloppy formatting will reflect poorly on your abilities, and your audience may lose confidence in your message. Assignments may specify formatting requirements, but if a style is not dictated, maintain a clear and consistent format throughout the document.Įspecially when combining work from multiple team members, details like slight differences in font size or line spacing are easy to miss, but these subtle inconsistencies detract from the overall professionalism of your document. There are many ways to format a technical or professional document. Formatting also makes information more accessible to the reader by creating and labeling sections (headings), highlighting key words or ideas (bold, italics, or lists), and making a good impression (professional look and feel, appropriate font choice for the document type). The visual appeal of a document has an effect on the reader and how they perceive the information, so it’s important in any piece of writing or documentation to be concerned with its formatting. A well formatting document is consistent, correct (in terms of meeting any stated requirements), and easy to read. Basically, the mechanics of how the words appear on the page.
#Standard word list indents how to#
Tips and resources for how to use Microsoft Word styles and templates to simplify formatting.ĭocument formatting refers to the way a document is laid out on the page-the way it looks and is visually organized-and it addresses things like font selection, font size and presentation (like bold or italics), spacing, margins, alignment, columns, indentation, and lists.