Improving writing skills through an upper-division course

Summary form only given. Engineering employers continue to express the importance of strong communication skills, which is also one of the goals of the ABET 2000 accreditation criteria. There is clearly a need for graduating engineers to possess strong writing and speaking skills. Herein, the focus is placed on written communication. In particular, memo writing exercises were integrated into a senior/graduate level technical elective course during the Spring 1998 semester. The purpose for these writing exercises was to investigate the following hypothesis: "Through repeated exposure and practice, a student\´s writing abilities will improve and, in addition, this exposure and practice will boost the student\´s confidence when they are asked to write while on the job". In order for this activity to be successful, the instructor\´s effort must not be excessive and the students must consider the activity worthwhile.