The Importance of Writing Skill to the Engineering Student

Each year, universities across this country grant thousands of undergraduates their engineering degrees in their chosen discipline.At some point, these talented, intelligent young men and women are expected to move into industry (or higher education) and display the skills and abilities in mathematics and the physical sciences they have worked so long to acquire.Despite numerous papers written and many presentations made throughout their college career, many of these people will not be able to communicate their engineering skill via written communication.This article seeks to highlight the importance of writing skill in engineering education.Making use of recent literature with regard to the subject, and examples of less-than-adequate writing, the case will be made that some premium should be placed on writing skill as a means of better preparing students to function in today's working world.