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Micro-credentialing Badge
Writing Engineering Reports: Understanding Expectations A gap exists between the writing knowledge that engineering students have learned in general writing courses and the specific expectations placed on engineers when writing professional reports. Reports, not essays, serve as the main type of document written by engineers to document their work. This webpage presents content for a micro-credentialing badge on understanding the expectations placed on you when writing an engineering report. Sponsored by the College of Engineering at Penn State, this badge carries the purpose of bridging this gap. Writing as an engineer or scientist requires skills beyond those taught in general writing courses. |
Engineering students at all Penn State campuses: You have the opportunity to use this guide to earn a microcredentialing badge through a free workshop (enroll using the link below). As preparation for the workshop, view the films in Section 1 and Section 2.
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Preparation for Badge Class: View the following short films (about 45 minutes)
Before the badge class, please view the following short films on engineering reports. Films 1 and 2 focus on the analysis of audience and purpose that you should do before writing a report [1-3]. Films 3 - 8 focus on a report's style, which is the way that authors communicate the content to the audience. Engineering reports have three important perspectives on style: organization, language, and illustration. Yet another perspective on writing reports is form. Films 9 and 10 discuss aspects of form that are particularly important in engineering reports. At the end of this web page are additional films on aspects of engineering reports that the badge class does not have time to address.
Before the badge class, please view the following short films on engineering reports. Films 1 and 2 focus on the analysis of audience and purpose that you should do before writing a report [1-3]. Films 3 - 8 focus on a report's style, which is the way that authors communicate the content to the audience. Engineering reports have three important perspectives on style: organization, language, and illustration. Yet another perspective on writing reports is form. Films 9 and 10 discuss aspects of form that are particularly important in engineering reports. At the end of this web page are additional films on aspects of engineering reports that the badge class does not have time to address.
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Film 1. Analyzing Audiences of Engineering Reports. |
Film 2. Analyzing Purpose of Reports. |
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Film 3. Organizing a Report. Film 5. Writing Precise and Clear Sentences. Film 7. Incorporating Illustrations. Film 9. Analyzing Occasion (Length, Formality, and Format) of Reports. |
Film 4. Writing in Sections. Film 6. Avoiding Ambiguity Film 8. Incorporating Equations. Film 10. Avoiding a Major Error of Grammar: Run-Ons. |
Acknowledgments
This microcredentialing badge is made possible by funds provided by the Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education in the College of Engineering at Penn State. Providing technical assistance on the films is the Office of Digital Learning, which is also in the College of Engineering at Penn State. Providing specific guidance and support for the guide and badge have been the following individuals: Stephanie Cutler, Casey Fenton, Andrea Gregg, Richelle Weiger, and Elaine Whitmer. Michael Alley, the author of The Craft of Scientific Writing [4], has overseen the creation of content for the guide and badge, and listed below are engineering students who have assisted in that creation.
This microcredentialing badge is made possible by funds provided by the Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education in the College of Engineering at Penn State. Providing technical assistance on the films is the Office of Digital Learning, which is also in the College of Engineering at Penn State. Providing specific guidance and support for the guide and badge have been the following individuals: Stephanie Cutler, Casey Fenton, Andrea Gregg, Richelle Weiger, and Elaine Whitmer. Michael Alley, the author of The Craft of Scientific Writing [4], has overseen the creation of content for the guide and badge, and listed below are engineering students who have assisted in that creation.
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Conducting Interviews
Justin Bardy Dean Ellis Jake Grant Alexander How Belinda Mativenga Kaitlyn Pigeon Alison Wanamaker Development Morgan Aloi Marissa Beighley Alexus Eicher Mia Wanyo Editing Films Mary Duncan Carrie McCartney Roman Pero Caroline Sinz Sophia Zitkus |
Mechanical Engineering, 2021 Aerospace Engineering, 2021 Mechanical Engineering, 2022 Mechanical Engineering, 2021 Chemical Engineering, 2022 Industrial Engineering, 2021 Industrial Engineering, 2021 Mechanical Engineering, 2022 Computer Science, 2022 Computer Science, 2020 Mechanical Engineering, 2022 Mechanical Engineering, 2021 Mechanical Engineering, 2020 Chemical Engineering, 2020 Mechanical Engineering, 2020 Mechanical Engineering, 2020 |
Penn State Penn State Penn State Penn State Penn State Penn State Penn State Penn State Penn State Penn State Penn State Virginia Tech Penn State Penn State Penn State Penn State |
References
- Michael Alley, The Craft of Scientific Writing, 4th ed. (New York: Springer, 2018).
- "Report Templates," Writing as an Engineer or Scientist, ed. by Michael Alley (University Park, PA: College of Engineering, 1996).
- "Sample Report Format," Writing as an Engineer or Scientist, ed. by Michael Alley (University Park, PA: College of Engineering, 1996).
Additional Films for Further Study
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Process of Writing as a Team |
Language: Making Connections |
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Using "I" or "We" in Reports Avoiding a Major Error of Grammar: Fragments. |
Language: Being Concise Usage: Verb Tense in Reports |
Please feel free to provide comments, questions, and suggestions for the films, text, and quizzes of this website. To help us understand your feedback, please let us know whether you are a student or faculty member (or other professional).
