Writing for Engineering: Mastering the Key to effective Communication in a Technical Field
Reflective Essay written by Ange Compere.
When I started ENGR 21007 in Fall 2025, I signed up with the belief that I had nothing to learn. I was a rather experienced writer from the many colleges English classes I took over the years. However, I was surprised by the work requirements and new techniques I was introduced to during the semester. It was a class for engineers, but that was not introducing us to any form of theory or math, on the contrary it simply teaches us to communicate effectively. Our job was to make it easy for the reader. Writing for Engineering Class is an important course in the professional life of every engineer. It teaches valuable lessons about the art of effective communication. As Andrew Grove once said, “How well we communicate is not determine by how well we say things but how well we are understood.” As engineers it is imperative that we can communicate, otherwise we cannot help people. Through this course, I truly understood what effective communication means.
According to Coursera, effective communication means communicating in a way that permits us to exchange ideas, thoughts, opinions, knowledge, and data so that the message is understood with clarity and purpose. As engineers, we will need to be able to write resumes and cover letters, proposals, presentations, lab reports, and many more documents.
Our first assignment was an introduction post, often referred to as an elevator pitch. This serves as a brief introduction to potential professional acquaintances, summarizing major career milestones and successes to demonstrate why a candidate is right for a role. While mastering the elevator pitch is important for face-to-face networking, the most effective way to present ourselves formally is through a Resume/Cover Letter. By following Mr. B outline, I was able to improve my resume and cater it to specific job descriptions. I was even able to write a cover letter which I used to find unnecessary, but throughout the assignment I realized was very important for my professional introduction.
The next assignment was the lab report. A lab report is a document containing information about the experiment or research conducted and its thought process. This assignment improves my information literacy skills, synthesis skills, and deepens my understanding of citations (APA style). Both are parts that are very important to the lab report, as the report itself must be written with a high level of professionality which improves the credibility of the report.
Following the lab report, we transitioned to a group proposal. This project was a practical exercise in collaboration and introduced us to how the world will be communicating with us engineers. In an engineering firm, the Request for Proposals (RFP) is a critical document that outlines a customer’s specific needs. Mr. B emphasized using keywords to align our proposal with these requirements. The goal was to draft a persuasive document that would convince investors and evaluators to select our solution over others. With our use of technology – specifically google forms, google docs, google slides, excel spreadsheets—we were able to convey our intentions, and plans to the audience.
The next assignment was the Technical Description, where we were tasked with creating a presentation on a subject that both interested us and was related to our majors. This project was a great way to portray what our future career path might look like based on our specific interests. My presentation was a collaboration with Georgina Tobon-Hernandez, and our subject was renewable energy “Materials to Megawatts: The Chemistry and Circuitry behind renewable energy Systems.” To complete this presentation, we relied on reading technical literature and utilizing information literacy to find credible sources through CCNY’s online library. We also practiced our public speaking skills by presenting our poster to the class, and with the help of technology—specifically PowerPoint—to enhance the clarity of our message.
Aside from the projects presented above, I also learned other important aspects of writing. These included the uses of commas, semi-colons, and colons in punctuating writing. Additionally, abbreviations such as A & P standing for “audience and purpose”, and the importance of drafting especially in group collaboration where having a rough draft can be a great way to get ideas going. I also learned about two-part titles and their importance for hooking the reader. The difference between count, versus non-count, the way of the future and how it is important to care about what is out there because we will be there soon. I also learned to enjoy life a little through my ID card, with the extra credits assignments I was able to explore museum and attend a dance recital.
Ultimately, this course changes my perspective on the role of communication in the engineering field. I transitioned from questioning why engineers must write to realizing that effective writing is a core component of professional success. Through assignments like the Technical Description and the Group Proposal, I developed essential skills in collaboration, information literacy, and audience awareness. I now understand that technical knowledge is only half the battle; the ability to write and convey our message clearly is what allows an engineer to truly make an impact. As I am moving forward, the lessons I learned regarding drafting, citation, and the use of technology will serve as the foundation for how I contribute to the future of my industry.
