Writing Like An Engineer

This insightful study explores how engineering students perceive their writing as they transition from academic to workplace environments in Writing Like An Engineer.

This book presents a comprehensive five-year study that focuses on four engineering students as they navigate the writing demands of their work environments. Writing Like An Engineer primarily investigates whether these engineers perceive their writing as rhetorical or persuasive. Through detailed observations and analyses, the study aims to illuminate the evolving understanding of these students regarding their writing practices and the implications of those practices in a professional context.

The authors of Writing Like An Engineer delve into the dual roles that these students occupy, balancing their academic responsibilities with their co-op experiences. This unique perspective allows for a rich exploration of how students learn to write effectively in the workplace and what that writing entails. The book is particularly relevant for educators interested in writing pedagogy as well as professionals curious about the real-world writing experiences of engineering students.

Two significant aspects of engineering practice are highlighted as influential in shaping the students' recognition of persuasive writing: a deep-seated reverence for data and the hierarchical nature of engineering organizations. These factors often inhibit an open acknowledgment of the persuasive elements in their writing. Ultimately, the study reveals that the students gained most of their writing knowledge through hands-on experiences in their workplaces, rather than through traditional classroom instruction.