Approaching Communication Tasks with Plain Style “DR. ROBERT LANE: …quite frankly how important writing is to you in industry and any technical field, especially in engineering, depends on what you want to do in your job. If you are content to stay in a backroom and work on a very small piece of the action and not really go too far in your career, well it’s not so terribly important to be able to write well. But if you do want to move in your career, you have to be able to communicate, communicate clearly, and succinctly and get a message across to your management.” --“Engineering Writing with Dr. Robert Lane” Texas A&M Dr. Wuster (Have your notes out)

Advice “I would tell a colleague to expect to work hard to do well in EE333t. It is a class that requires effort, heavy participation, and for most people it requires changing the way they write. Until this class, most if not all of our writing experience has been non-technical, so this is a change of pace. They should expect to engage in a class more than ever before, but it will be extremely beneficial and is essential to getting as much out of the class as possible.” --333t Student, Fall 2012 “Do not expect this class to be simple but do not think of it as ridiculously difficult either. This course will teach you a lot about your work habits, both individually and as a team, and gives an accurate overview of how technical writing style differs from creative writing, as you have learned in younger years. Expect to step out of your comfort zone and to not be afraid of asking questions because this class benefits you and your future career. “ --333t Student, Fall 2013

Plain Style/Plain Language “Be prepared to step out of your comfort zone. Be prepared to contradict the long-winded, fluff-filled, fancy sounding writing style that English teachers have spoon-fed to you for the last 10 years.” --333t Student, Spring 2014 “Everyone agrees that simple, straightforward writing saves time, wins customers, and prevents expensive misunderstandings. Complicated writing does the opposite—and while the stuff of business, science, and regulation isn’t simple, writing should be.” --Lauchman, Plain Style (1)

What is a “Communication Task”?

How would you define plain style How would you define plain style? Write a paragraph as a team summarizing Lauchman’s key ideas. Does your paragraph reflect the ideas you are discussing?

Now, define plain language in one sentence.

What is your attitude toward communication? Two Guys

What does your audience want? “In business writing, style should be invisible. It should never be an issue. It must never call attention to itself, never intrude on the ideas themselves. Most important, it must never create needless complexity. Every expression should be functional, like the two-by-fours used (and hidden) in the framing of a house, not displayed or flaunted, like the gorgeously grained mahogany used in paneling.” --Lauchman, Plain Style (1) “Good Writer: In business writing, one who puts the reader first. Putting the reader first requires that we write the kind of sentences we ourselves find easy to understand.” --Lauchman, Plain Style (9)

What is the key habit for clear communication? “Put your important ideas in the first paragraph, if not in the first sentence.” --Lauchman, Plain Style, 23 “Most of your time will be spent revising papers and presentations. Nothing in this class is a first draft. This requires you to being projects and papers early so you have time to rework your ideas. The class was frustrating at first, but it is frustrating because you are learning to write better.” --333t Student, Fall 2012

For Next Week Job Stuff *research companies *develop game plan *prepare resume *buy paper *haircut? *clothes? *introduction Assignments *Networking Presentation *Career Email *Project Presentation *Project Options

ECAC Workshops Mastering the Behavioral Interview, Presented by Deloitte Thursday, September 1, 5:00 p.m., RLM 7.104 How to Prepare for Expo, Presented by ECAC Friday, September 2, 12:00 Noon, CPE 2.208 Recruiter Tips for Expo & Interviews, Presented by ExxonMobil Tuesday, September 6, 5:00 p.m., NOA 1.124 Successful Interview Tips, Presented by ECAC Tuesday, September 13, 5:00 p.m., NOA 1.124