Engineer Text Types

Engineers write these texts to describe their work in the working place. As an engineer, even if you don’t work in a lab, you might read and evaluate texts written by other engineers. Knowing what information to expect and how it should be presented can help you evaluate such written texts.

• Lab Report

• Memo

• Letter

• Progress Report

Engineers write these texts to present a topic to be researched or to suggest a plan of action. Typically, consulting engineers send these texts to other companies in order to get work. The text then works to convince its recipient that a particular engineer or firm is the right choice for the job.

• emails

• letters

• proposal

• guidelines

These texts provide illustrated information to readers. In general, these are designed to make it easier for readers to understand your ideas. Often, these texts are useful when concepts, designs, or processes are too complex or cumbersome to describe in written or oral form.

• memos

• graphics

• reports

• proposal

As an engineer, you should always keep these types of texts, containing notes of all your work. They provide a convenient place to keep track both of what you think about and the work you do on lengthy projects.

• letter

• email

• project notebook

• reports

These are regulatory documents that help ensure safety.  They are more concerned with specific procedures and operating decisions. As an engineer, many projects will require you to produce these types of text.

• emails

• proposals

• letters

• policies

You might assume that as an engineer, you won't have to write these types of texts. This assumption is wrong! Every project you work on will demand that you communicate with other engineers and clients about your ideas and research.

• memos and emails

• proposal and reports

• guidelines and policies

• letters