Overview

Based on 55 semi-structured in-depth interviews, this book investigates 15 high-tech engineering co-op professionals’ writing experience in the workplace. It shows how the digital age has had a marked impact on the engineers’ methods of communication at work, and how on-the -job writing has affected engineers’ technical competence, shaped their professional identities, challenged their views on Chinese and English writing, and hindered their success in the workplace.  The book identifies three aspects of writing practice: engineers’ linguistic and literacy challenges, the reasons behind these challenges, and coping strategies, which suggest that engineers are underprepared and lack necessary support in the workplace. Lastly, the study shows that engineers need to engage in technical literacy through on-the-job writing so that they can fully deal with workplace discourse and socialize with diverse professional groups. Since the sample group interviewed in this book is engineers who studied at universities in the United States and have a foot in the world of school and work as well as knowledge of both Eastern and Western cultures, the book appeals to teachers, students, engineers and scientists who are interested in scientific and technological writing. It is also valuable for educators who prepare scientists, engineers, and technical communicators for professional roles, as well as for communication practitioners who work with engineers. 

Full Product Details

Author:   Juan Du
Publisher:   Springer Verlag, Singapore
Imprint:   Springer Verlag, Singapore
Edition:   1st ed. 2020
Weight:   0.454kg
ISBN:  

9789811519857

ISBN 10:   9811519854
Pages:   92
Publication Date:   02 January 2021
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction Overview FrameworkProject designLimits of the studyOutlineReferencesChapter 2 the importance of writing in the engineering field in today’s digital age OverviewWriting needs in the workplace Globalized communicationA focus on Chinese engineers      ParticipantsSummaryReferencesChapter3  High writing demands and standards in the workplaceOverviewWriting demands at workThe demand for good writing skills at workSummaryRefenrence Chapter 4 Chinese engineers‘ writing difficulties Writing in a second language       Vocabulary        Syntax: Complexity versus Density       Coherence Social contexts and communicative purpose       Textual purpose in the workplaceThe similarities between the writing process and the design processSummaryReferencesChapter 5 Engineers‘ explanations of writing difficultiesInexpericed writersProfessional reputationAvoiding writing in the workplace     Relying on data to avoid writingSummaryReferencesChapter 6 Discussion and implicationsOverviewDiscussion about writing difficulties       Language versus literacy        Disciplinary literacyWriting process: thinking, revision, not just editingLack of writing in the workplace Perceptions of professional identitiesAvoiding writing in the workplace       Reliance on data       Lost opportunities Implications            Implications for practice                  Professional training for engineer writers at the workplace            Implications for pedagogyFuture researchConclusionReferencesAppendix A Appendix BAppendix C 

Reviews

Author Information

​Juan Du is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Foreign Language Studies at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. She received both her Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language and her Doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction in College of Education from University of Florida in 2017. She has participated in local and national conferences in the States and China, and has presented her research to colleagues in the field. She has also published research articles in key Chinese academic journals. Her research interests include English writing instructions for language learners, secondary and college literacy teaching and learning, and Chinese contemporary literature. 

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions