Student and Faculty Guide to Improved Technical Writing

Abstract

Good writing skills are essential for civil engineers to communicate effectively with clients, contractors, regulators, and the public. Technical reports and papers should present information clearly and concisely. Civil engineering students should be urged to sharpen writing skills through regular, frequent practice in all technical undergraduate classes. This paper is presented as a writing aid and motivational tool for civil engineering faculty and students. It is vitally important that all faculty provide ample opportunity and motivation for students to practice writing. Examples of poorly written passages from student reports and discussions of ways to improve them are included in this paper. Also included are tables and appendices of helpful comments. This paper is not meant to replace all the excellent references available on English grammar and technical writing but to supplement them. The examples and discussions in this paper should illustrate, and help eliminate, those errors frequently observed in civil engineering reports.