After writing the title of your report on the top line of your paper, skip a line and begin writing your introductory paragraph. The introductory paragraph should include the purpose of the experiment or activity, the important materials and a brief description of the procedure. Include only details of materials and procedures that are important to the results of your experiment. For example, it is not likely that you'll ever need to mention a ring stand. However, it is often important to note whether a test tube containing a solid is heated by using a Bunsen Burner or by using a hot water bath. If a chemical reaction is a part of your experiment, it is usually appropriate to include at least the word equation in your introduction.

Sometimes a picture is worth one thousand words, and the next section in your report could be an illustration. The illustration is often an optional part of your report, but a picture will cut down on the number of words that you need to describe materials and procedure.

In most reports a data table (with a heading) and/or a table of observations comes next. data tables have a column of descriptors and a column of numbers (with labels). For example:

Sample Data

Date	8/31/88
Balance Number	2408
Mass of Test Tube	12.34g
Mass of Test Tube and Wax	16.23g

Do not start calculating without stating what it is that you will calculate. Sometimes it is important to state a formula. This is a good place to state chemical equations. Calculations should always include both words and numbers. Be sure to include units. For example:

Calculations

Mass of T. Tube+Wax	16.34g
-Mass of T.Tube	12.34g
Mass of Wax	4.00g

If available, class results should be included.

Class Results

Sam and Eric	0.340
Ralph and Peggy	0.344
Jack and Roger	0.338
Simon and Co	0.339

The last section of your report is the thinking. This is the section for the analysis of your results. Different experiments call for different analyses. Choose from the following the most appropriate:

• Make a general statement about the data.
• State what you learned.
• Explain any errors that may have occurred or point out the major sources of uncertainty and their possible effects on the results.
• Compare your results with the class results especially if you can show the calculated percent difference.
• Explain variations in class results.
• State methods to improve technique.

If you come up with a format that seems better to you than these steps, discuss your idea with your teacher.