Hey everyone, I'm new here, I had to write a research paper for my writing class in college (2nd year Mechanical Engineering major) and the paper had to relate to our major. After this, we had to create an alternative document that the public can use and then receive feedback on it. I was wondering if you could look at the site and then tell me what you think. It's not perfect yet but it's working. Thanks http://hybridcarresearch.webs.com/

Under "pros", the car companies do not put a 8 yr 100,000 mile warranty to " allow their customers to breathe a sigh of relief" but as a requirement for emissions requirements to get Partial Zero Emissions status

Under "pros"

They also found that fourteen percent of the people [who buy hybrid vehicles] are Republics, ...

Hint: People aren't republics. Some are republicans.

This was the most amusing of the many errors in the paper. The web site refers to a diagram which is absent. I had trouble believing this paper was written by someone at the college level. Yikes.

Chris,

Most of it was quoted and the basic understanding of how a hybrid works was lost on the author. I won't even get into series and parallel hybrids or some of the diagrams that were wrong. As a basic intorduction it might work but syntax and spelling needs to be proofed.

One problem I've had proof reading is how easily I "fill in the blanks" instead of reading what is on the page. One trick that helps is to print out the report and then using a cover sheet, read the paper "in reverse." This keeps me from "filling in the blanks" so see what I've actually written.

Kudos on the suggestion to spell check and I would also recommend every automated proofing tool. Reading level is very useful for avoiding complex syntax and difficult to understand papers.

In terms of content, bringing your paper here is a bit like 'hauling coals to Newcastle.' Without owning a hybrid, it is difficult for an author to make original content.

Bob Wilson

After April 3, use e-mail to contact me: