Writing in Engineering (Prompt 3)

By: Tyler Lahusky

Many people believe that writing and engineering have very little in common and even clash with each other. However, contrary to prior belief, this may not be the case. Writing is more common in engineering than most people think! In fact, engineers may write up to 50% of their work time depending on their status in the company and the tasks they are required to perform. Using an interview conducted with Dr. Robert Lane, a professor of engineering at Texas A&M who holds over 30 years of experience, some light can be shed on how writing is conducted in the engineering world. All of the same concepts for writing in engineering certainly holds fast for a discipline of agricultural engineering.

            So what and how do engineers write? According to Dr. Robert Lane, engineers write a variety of things. Many reports and proposals are written by engineers. When an engineer has to solve problems, a report that outlines the problem and every aspect of possible ideas for solutions must be written. Most of what they write is fabricated into an analytical format. Clear and specific steps that point to a distinct main idea is a must for writing in engineering.

            What are some misconceptions about writing in engineering? Most people think there is very little writing in engineering, or that it is unimportant. According to Dr. Lane, this is highly untrue. Depending on what you actually do and your rank in the company, writing may be a very large part of your everyday job. It holds significance importance in moving up in the company and staying competitive. If you want your ideas to be considered, you must be able to communicate those ideas clearly and accurately, making writing an extremely important skill in engineering.

            How is communication in general used in engineering? Dr. Lane says that communication is important in every aspect of engineering. The ability to transmit information from your studies to other people and propose accurate ideas are essential. Communication to higher level management individuals about economics regarding your project is also essential. In the beginning of an engineering career, writing is the most important form of communication. However, as you move up the company ladder, oral communication becomes more important. Supervisors and other higher level engineers must be able to translate what is in writing to speech that management can understand and easily take notice of their work.

            Clearly, writing and engineering go hand in hand. Learning from Dr. Lanes personal experiences gives one a vivid picture of writing importance within the engineering world.

Source: Online interview with Dr. Robert Lane, Professor of Engineering, Texas A&M

            Tamuwritingcenter. “Dr. Robert Lane, Writing in Engineering.” Media Type Video. Youtube. Texas A&M, 18 August 2010. Video. Retrieved: 20 October 2015.