Writing an
Invention/Inventor Report
Getting Started:
First, get to know about your invention. Read as much information about
it as you can find. Try both the Internet and the library; try Zoom
Inventors and Inventions http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/,
a good search engine, an encyclopedia, and individual books on
inventors and inventions.
As you're reading about your invention,
take notes on key information, such as what your invention does, who invented it, when it was invented, and how this invention helped people
The Structure of the Invention Report
Start your report with an introductory paragraph that states the
main ideas that you will be writing about. Then write at least four
paragraphs that clearly describe your invention. Each paragraph should
cover one topic (for example, you should have at least one paragraph
that covers the inventor, and gives information on when the inventor
was born, what education he/she had, other inventions he/she made,
etc.). End the report with a closing paragraph that summarizes what you
wrote and learned.
Finally, cite your references (see the section below on formats for
your bibliography).
Check that your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are correct. Make
sure to use complete sentences and write neatly! Define any technical
terms that you use. Proofread your report for errors before you hand it
in -- do not hand in a rough draft.
Topics to Research and Include in Your
Report:
When you write your report, try to answer as many of the following
questions as you can:
1. What is the invention?
2. What the invention does: Clearly explain what the invention does and
how it can be used. Is it used for communication, transportation, fun,
food, medicine, science, or something else? (You should have drawn a
facsimile or diagram on the Invention Data Sheet.).
3. When was it invented: Give the date of the invention, or dates if
appropriate, and tell: Who invented it: Who was the inventor? When did
this inventor live, how was this inventor educated, where did he/she
live? If you can find out, tell why the inventor wanted to invent the
invention. Did this inventor invent other things? - If there is no
specific inventor, tell why it was invented and where, and how it
evolved.
4. The importance of the invention: Explain why the invention is
important. Has it saved lives, helped transportation, simplified
communication, increased the food supply, or is it simply fun? Has it
been improved upon since it was invented? Did it lead to other
inventions?
Citing Your References:
When you write your bibliography, list all of your references. Formats
for each type of publication follows (there are different formats for
different media)
1. Web Site: Author(s) if appropriate. Title of Site or web page. URL
of site, date of publication (the earliest copyright year listed), and
the date you accessed this site.
2. Book: Author(s). Title of book. Edition. Location of publisher: Name
of Publisher, year of publication.
3. Encyclopedia: Title of encyclopedia, volume of encyclopedia used.
Location of publisher: Name of Publisher, year of publication, pages
where the article is located.
4. Magazine or Journal: Author(s). Title of article, Name of magazine,
Volume.issue (date): pages where the article is located
Author(s) are listed last name first, first name or initials (as cited
in the publication).<BR>
For example: Zoom Inventors and Inventions" would be cited as
follows:
Col, Jeananda. Zoom
Inventors and Inventions.
http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/inventors 1999
Another format for Internet sources is as follows:
Last name, First name of author. Title of Page. Name of the
publisher (EnchantedLearning.com in one case). Date the page was
created (at Enchanted Learning, this is the earliest date on the
copyright notice located at the bottom of each page), Date of revision
(at Enchanted Learning,is not done page by page.