Transcript Written Communication Skills

Writing Skills
Dr. Teresa M. Redd
Director of Writing Across
the Curriculum
Introduction to Engineering
September 10, 2002
Principles of
Effective Writing
Accuracy
Brevity
Clarity
Design
A is for Accuracy
 Incorrect:
1,000 footlong
radium
bars
 Correct:
1,000-footlong
radium
bars
How to Proofread
Divide and
conquer!
 Take a
break!
 Slow down
your eyes!
 Read aloud!

 Check
it
out!
 About face!
 Know
thyself!
Corrections
Dear Mr. Dahlen:
In response to your advertisement in IEEE
spectrum (August 1990), I am writing to apply for the
position of Bipolar Development Engineer. After
considering your challenging requirements, I believe that
my experience and educational background would enable
me to make significant contributions to your expanding
division. My background includes the following:
Corrections, cont.
Employment by the Electron Physics Laboratory,
Brookfield Polytechnic Institute. I participated in
designing an innovative computer modeling process
of a submicron device. I was responsible for
designing the numerical analysis subroutines of the
computer program.
Completion of a senior design project in designing
and fabricating bipolar device chips using state-ofthe-art techniques. I was also responsible for testing
and characterizing the device chips.
Corrections, cont.
Completion of several graduate courses in semiconductor
devices, integrated circuits and digital logic circuit design.
I will receive my B.S.E.E. from BPI in August 1990 and would
appreciate being considered for permanent employment
thereafter. I will call you next Wednesday to set up an interview
at your convenience. If you desire additional information, I can
be reached at (555) 270-4381.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
B is for Brevity
Attempts were made on the
part of the engineering
staff in regard to an
assessment of the project.
Actor = Subject
The engineering staff . . .
Action = Verbs
. . . attempted to assess
the project.
C is for Clarity
Smith Brown
=
Clearer
88%
-
More
professional
More
competent
58%
8%
33%
31%
12%
57%
-
D is for Design
how the document is
organized
 where the reader is in the
document
 which items are most
important
 how items are related

Tips

White space

Parallel lists

Highlighting

Visuals

Headings

Type sizes
and fonts
Revised Resume
JAMAL BROWN
[email protected]
Drew Hall, Room 105
1335 Marway Drive
Howard University
Goering, NY 21445
Washington, DC 20059
(212) 452-1056
(202) 865-2000
OBJECTIVE: To obtain an internship in an engineering firm.
EDUCATION: Howard University, Washington , DC
B.S. Electrical Engineering (May 2005)
GPA: 3.5
Courses: Electromagnetic Theory, Principles of
Electronics, Freshman English for Engineers
Revised Resume, cont.
EXPERIENCE:
Summer 2000
Summer 1999
Summer 1998
Summer 1998
Westinghouse Corporation, Tar, VA
Summer Intern. Designed heaters.
Bishop Equipment Company, Vito, PA
Air-conditioning mechanic. Serviced and
repaired residential units.
Radio Shack, Philadelphia, PA
Clerk. Served customers and handled the
cash register. Checked inventory.
Huntville Junior High School, Bin, MD
Volunteer tutor. Taught algebra.
Resume, cont.
SPECIAL SKILLS:
HTML, Perl, C++, Spanish
OTHER INTERESTS: Jogging, boating, drawing.
REFERENCES:
Available upon request.
GOOD
LUCK!