A Guide to Writing as an Engineer [Paperback]

Everyone knows that engineers must be good at math, but many students fail to realize just how much writing engineering involves: reports, memos, presentations, specificationsall fall within the purview of a practicing engineer, and all require a polished clarity that does not happen by accident. A Guide to Writing as an Engineer provides essential guidance toward this critical skill, with practical examples, expert discussion, and real-world models that illustrate the techniques engineers use every day.

Now in its Fifth Edition, this invaluable guide has been updated to reflect the most current standards of the field, and leverage the eText format to provide interactive examples, Engineering Communication Challenges, self-quizzes, and other learning tools. Students build a more versatile skill set by applying core communication techniques to a variety of situations professional engineers encounter, equipping them with the knowledge and perspective they need to succeed in any workplace. Although suitable for first-year undergraduate students, this book offers insight and reference for every stage of a young engineers career.

Preface iii

Acknowledgments vii

1 Engineers and Writing 1

Engineers Write a Lot 2

Engineers Write Many Kinds of Documents 2

Successful Engineering Careers Require Strong Writing Skills 4

Engineers Can Learn to Write Well 5

Noise and the Communication Process 5

Controlling the Writing System 7

Exercises 8

Check Your Understanding 8

Engineering Communication Challenge 9

2 Eliminating Sporadic Noise in Engineering Writing 10

Spelling and Spell Checkers 10

Punctuation 11