3. Edition - March 2009
67.90 Euro
2009. 288 Pages, Softcover
ISBN-10: 0-470-41701-3
ISBN-13: 978-0-470-41701-0 - John Wiley & Sons








Short description
This invaluable resource guides engineers through the technical writing issues that they must know in order to succeed in the field. The third edition includes numerous new examples integrated throughout the chapters that illustrate content, organization, and format of different types of documents. New material on the useful aspects of passive voice is added, such as when the actor is known/obvious and when emphasis needs to be on the recipient of the action. Discussions are included on plagiarism, ethics, and citing material properly. In order to accomplish this, the IEEE system of documenting sources is presented. Engineers will also benefit from the startup help for using PowerPoint or other software for their presentations as well as strategies for using such materials.

From the contents
1. Engineers and Writing.

EngineersWrite a Lot.

EngineersWrite Many Kinds of Documents.

A Successful Engineering Career Requires Strong Writing Skills.

Engineers Can Learn to Write Well.

Noise and the Communication Process.

Controlling the Writing System.

Exercises.

Bibliography.

2. Eliminating Sporadic Noise in Engineering Writing.

Spelling and Spell Checkers.

Punctuation.

Sentence Sense.

Technical Usage.

Edit, Edit, Edit.

Exercises.

Bibliography.

3. Guidelines for Writing Noise-Free Engineering Documents.

Focus onWhyYou AreWriting.

Focus on Your Readers.

Satisfy Document Specifications.

Get to the Point.

Provide Accurate Information.

Present Your Material Logically.

Make Your Ideas Accessible.

Use Lists for Some Information.

Format Your Pages Carefully.

Express Yourself Clearly.

Use Efficient Wording.

Manage Your Time Efficiently.

Edit at Different Levels.

Share the Load: Write as a Team.

Exercises.

Bibliography.

4. Letters, Memoranda, Email, and Other Media for Engineers.

Which to Use?

Business Letters.

Business Memoranda.

Email.

New Internet Media.

Writing Styles for Business Correspondence.

Exercises.

Bibliography.

5. Writing Common Engineering Documents.

Some Preliminaries.

Inspection and Trip Reports.

Laboratory and Field Reports.

Specifications.

Proposals.

Progress Reports.

Instructions.

Recommendation Reports.

Exercises.

Bibliography.

6. Writing an Engineering Report.

Letter of Transmittal.

Cover and Label.

Page Numbering.

Abstract and Executive Summary.

Table of Contents.

List of Figures and Tables.

Introduction.

Body of the Report.

Conclusions.

Appendixes.

Documentation.

Generating Portable Document Files.

Using Wikis and Other Applications for Team Reports.

Exercises.

Bibliography.

7. Constructing Engineering Tables and Graphics.

Tables.

Charts and Graphs.

Illustrations.

Graphics and Tables: Guidelines.

Exercises.

Bibliography.

8. Accessing Engineering Information.

Basic Search Strategies.

Sources of Engineering Information.

Internet Engineering Information Resources.

Internet Search Tools.

Exercises.

Bibliography.

9. Engineering Your Speaking.

Preparing the Presentation.

Delivering the Presentation.

Team Presentations.

Checklist for an Oral Presentation.

Listening to a Presentation.

The Importance of Informal Communication.

Exercises.

Bibliography.

10. Writing to Get an Engineering Job.

How to Write an Engineering Resume.

How to Write an Application Letter.

How to Write a Follow-Up Letter.

Exercises.

Bibliography.

11. Ethics and Documentation in Engineering Writing.

Engineering Ethics.

The Ethics of Honest Research.

Exercises.

Bibliography.

Index.