TIP SHEET: Science Writing and Lab Reports - Lab Report Writing Conventions - Third-Person Past-Passive Tense and Structure

Sep 13, 2026

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Tip sheet on writing effective science lab reports, emphasizing conventions that improve clarity and scientific communication. Covers key practices during the lab, including detailed note-taking, precise measurements, and using complete, descriptive sentences. Explains the required third-person past-passive style, specifying which pronouns and voice forms to avoid and how to keep theory and equipment described in the present tense. Provides a structured outline for sections such as title page, introduction, hypothesis, materials, methods, results, calculations, discussion, and conclusion.

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Lab Report Writing Conventions

Preparation

Third-Person Past-Passive Tense

Lab Report Structure

Title Page

Introduction

Hypothesis

Materials

Experimental Procedure/Methods/Methodology

Data Analysis/Results

Calculations

Discussion

Conclusion

NSU Writing Center TIP SHEET: Science Writing and Lab Reports Lab Report Writing Conventions Lab Reports are widely used in scientific studies across numerous disciplines, including chemistry, biology, and engineering. Though exact formats and terminology may differ between disciplines, lab reports share certain similarities regardless of subject. These include preparation, tense, and organizational structure. Preparation Writing a great lab report begins during the lab itself. Take detailed notes on data and measurements and observe the reactions during the experiment. Record exact measurements. Use complete sentences and be as descriptive and clear as possible to detail the experimental process and the sensory experiences during the lab. Taking good notes during the lab will make your lab report much easier. Third-Person Past-Passive Tense Most writing encourages active voice. However, lab reports are written in third person past-passive voice. This means you should not use the subjects “I,”“We,” “You,” or the pronouns “We,” “they,” “she,” or “he” in your reports. Likewise, all experimental actions should be described in the past tense, although lab equipment, theories, and the report itself should be referred to in the present tense. | First-Person Past-Active:
We injected ten specimens of Rana pipiens with 1.0 ml. of a 10% JCl solution. | Third-Person Past-Passive:
Ten specimens of Rana pipiens were injected with 1.0 ml. of a 10% JCl solution. | | --- | --- | By changing the sentence from active voice in the first-person,“We injected,” to the passive voice “Ten species...were injected,” the first person “we” was no longer necessary. Usually, past passive sentences can be constructed by taking the verb of the active sentence, such as “injected,” and adding “was” or “were” in front. Lab Report Structure Although the labels for certain sections of the lab report may be different between disciplines, all lab reports follow a basic structure. Usually, lab reports are written in complete sentences using proper attributions in APA format. As such, they begin with a title/cover page and follow this structure, clearly labelling all parts: a. Title Page. Your title page should contain the name of the experiment, any names of lab partners, and the date. Titles should be straightforward and less than ten words (i.e., Not “Lab \#4” but “Lab \#4: Sample Analysis using the Debye-Sherrer Method”) . List in the center of your title page. b. Introduction. Your introduction is a short paragraph stating the objective of the experiment and providing the reader with all necessary background. This background includes all relevant theories, previous research, or formulas the reader needs to know. It should end with your hypothesis. (Ensure you are writing in complete sentences using the third-person past-passive.) c. Hypothesis. The hypothesis is a statement, not a question, explaining the suppositions and outcome of the experiment. It does not have to be written as an “If...then…” statement, although it should reference the expected outcomes. Ex: “Specifically, we will test whether injecting frogs with JCl results in the frog’s ability to jump further than those not injected with JCl.” d. Materials. If deemed necessary by your professor, list all materials which you used to complete the lab. Be as comprehensive as possible, listing both the types of materials as well as any necessary measurements. Ex: if you used water as a solvent you should list it as “Water, 400ml.” e. Experimental Procedure/Methods/Methodology. This section can have multiple names; use the term preferred in your discipline. Regardless of name, it should be written in a chronological narrative, explaining exactly what procedural steps you followed with short, clear descriptions of each action. Be as detailed as possible without distracting from the section’s purpose. If you had to collect samples yourself, include where and how you coll

FAQs

How should students prepare while conducting the experiment for a stronger lab report?

Students should take detailed notes on data and measurements during the lab, record exact measurements, and observe reactions. Notes should capture the experimental process and sensory experiences, making the final report easier to write.

What tense and voice rules apply to lab report writing?

Lab reports are written in third-person past-passive voice. Pronouns like “I,” “We,” “You,” and their variants should be avoided, and experimental actions described in past tense while theories and equipment are referred to in present tense.

What sections are typically included in a lab report?

A basic structure includes a title/cover page, introduction, hypothesis, materials, experimental procedure/methods, data analysis/results, calculations, discussion, and conclusion. Each section has specific expectations for content and organization.

Sep 13, 2026

Upload by Mason