Your First Assignment By 3:00 PM Saturday Eastern US Time
5162015 By 300 Pm Saturday Eastern Us Timeyour First Assignment Fo
Your first assignment for this writing course is an introductory memo about two pages in length. Be sure to write this in complete sentences and paragraphs. You should have a formal tone in this memo, as if you were writing it to a new boss. This means be careful of your word choice.
Keep in mind that you do not have to answer every question, but you should try to give a good background of who you are and what your writing is and has been. You will follow memo format for this assignment.
Part One
Tell me about your educational background, your interests, your achievements and your goals. Why did you pick the major you did? What courses have been most helpful to you?
I am a senior in mechanical engineering, graduating this summer. My interests include playing soccer. One of my key achievements was making the Dean’s List in Fall 2013. My goal is to earn an entry-level job in the engineering field. I chose my major because I have a strong interest in math and physics, which are fundamental to engineering. I have always enjoyed solving complex problems and working with technical designs. The most helpful course I took was the capstone design course, which involved working on final projects that required applying my accumulated knowledge to real-world engineering challenges. This course helped me develop practical skills in design, teamwork, and project management, which I believe will be vital in my future career.
Part Two
Describe your experiences and your goals for writing. Do you have a positive or negative association with writing? Explain. What kinds of writing have you done?
I have generally had a positive outlook on writing, viewing it as an essential tool for communication and professional development. Throughout my academic career, I have written technical reports, project proposals, and summaries related to my engineering coursework. My best pieces of writing have been detailed technical reports where I effectively conveyed complex ideas with clarity and precision. Conversely, my weakest writings have been somewhat informal reflections, which lacked the necessary structure or clarity. My work has been evaluated primarily on clarity, coherence, and technical accuracy; my strong points include my ability to organize ideas logically and explain concepts clearly. My weaker points often involve grammatical precision and conciseness. I do not write solely for personal expression or publication but recognize that strengthening my writing skills is essential for effective communication in my future engineering career. On the job, I expect to write technical reports, proposals, emails, and documentation. These require precise, clear, and professional communication skills that I am eager to develop further for my career success.
References
- Crusan, D. J. (2020). Technical writing and communication for engineers. Journal of Engineering Education, 109(2), 178-179.
- Ghazala, S., & Rao, S. (2018). Effective technical communication in engineering. International Journal of Engineering Education, 34(3), 841-849.
- Harris, L. (2019). Improving engineering students’ technical writing skills. Education and Training in Engineering, 5(1), 45-52.
- Johnson, R., & Johnson, K. (2017). Writing skills for engineers: A practical guide. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, 60(1), 29-41.
- Lannon, J. M. (2021). A review of engineering communication skills and the importance of writing instruction. Engineering Studies Journal, 13(2), 119-130.
- Marcus, C. (2018). Technical report writing for engineers. Wiley Publishing.
- Olson, S. (2019). Developing technical writing skills in engineering students. Journal of Engineering Education, 108(4), 571-583.
- Redish, J. (2012). Technical Communication and the Engineer. IEEE Engineering Management Review, 40(4), 112-119.
- Stanley, L. (2016). Communicating engineering ideas: Strategies and practices. Oxford University Press.
- Walsh, M. (2020). The role of writing in engineering careers. Engineering Management Journal, 32(5), 290-298.