Writing Project 3
Writing, like any other fields, has definite characteristics that are distinguishable in extensive work. Hence, the paper aims at analyzing different forms of writing, their characteristics, and how they are applicable in different disciplines. Disciplines like science, mathematics and linguistics have distinct methods of writing, which best suit their line of work. Therefore, being in the field of civil engineering, types of writing differ considerably from other disciplines. For instance, civil engineering makes use of report writing, to communicate the implications of an accomplished project or the outcomes of an experiment or study.
Moreover, civil engineers write plans, to give budgetary estimations of a project. Plans and reports go hand in hand, and all other types of writing in civil engineering are interrelated in one way or another. Furthermore, proposals, emails and reviews are other forms of writing in the civil engineering field, and play a great role in ensuring order in the way projects are approved, executed and evaluated.my experience in these types of writing are exemplary, as I emphasize on the flow of ideas and conciseness of my work. For instance, writing proposals for technical purposes should entail the use of technical language, and well-planned chapters so as to ensure that comprehension is enhanced.
Civil engineering published works make the use of in-text citations and bibliographies for citing their work. Thus, the engineering industry employs the use of writing styles such as Chicago/ Turabian, MLA and APA methods. However, writing in civil engineering is distinct and different in many ways. For example, engineers emphasize on accuracy, and a complete definition of terms, which is not the case in many fields of science.
Blog Post # 2.
The following is an interview extract that I had with Salem AlHarban, an engineer at Kuwait Oil Company. Personal interview was used for the project analysis. Personal interviews involve a direct interaction between an interviewer and a respondent (Dreifus, & Haberman, 1997).
Me: good morning Mr. Salem?
Salem AlHarban: morning to you.
Me: first things first; what types of writing are used in your field of study?
Salem AlHarban: in civil engineering, what matters is how the reader best comprehends the contents in any form of writing, and since we mostly deal with numbers, an accurate representation of numbers is critical to a detailed work. Therefore, main types of writing used include project reports, project plans, emails to clients or suppliers, and reviews (Young, 2002). Other forms of writing integrated into civil engineering literature are either vouchers or documents produced by autonomous departments, such as the finance department. The evidential requirement determines inclusion of different materials in writings that a discipline needs to justify its discoveries.
Me: what do you consider as distinguishing characteristics of writing types in civil engineering, that you think different from other forms writing that you might have encountered?
Salem AlHarban: written materials in civil engineering and other branches of engineering have absolute values that other experts are not conversant to our field may not be able to interpret literally. For instance, writing in civil engineering should be clear, in such a way to provide convenience to readers. Secondly, types of writing such as reports, should be accurate, give an actual representation of results, and significance of accomplished projects (Young, 2002). Moreover, writing in civil engineering is not valid unless it is useful. Usefulness of writing in our field is defined by its ability to improve knowledge, and maximize the welfare of our esteemed customers. Lastly, writing in the field of civil engineering should be comprehensive, and easy to read. Thus, reports, plans and reviews should have concise methods that were used, the procedures and all other processes used for the accomplishment of a task (Interview, 1977).
Me: Mr. Salem, what do you look for in a well-written paper, or rather, how would a well-written paper look like?
Salem AlHarban: a good writing should contain all aspects that promote a good dissemination of ideas, clarity, usefulness and consistency. Therefore, a good paper will be appealing, even in the provision of evidence and literature review. A well-written paper should also be able to capture a reader’s attention, and compel them to act in a way that the message was intended to affect the reader.
Blog Post # 3
In establishing rhetirical apeals in civil engineering writting, I will analyze a published writing in civil engineering, and how the journal presents ideas, and its rhetorical appeal. The journal will be ‘automation in construction’ by Direct Science. ‘Automation in construction is a scientific journal in the field of engineering, which persuades readers to adopt the use of robotic systems and other forms of automated construction equipment, to reduce the cost of construction, and improve the speed of construction. Modeling of structures, waterways, roads and railways is important in the quest for automated construction. The journal establishes the challenges in the adaptation of automation in construction, and also previous case studies that have established that the adjustment of automated construction is a stepping stone towards technological advancements in construction. Rhetorical appeals are ideal in cases where the audience is likely to overlook the implications of an idea (Duke, 1990).
Apparently, automation in construction uses rhetorical appeals that provide the reader with a better understanding of automation in construction. Rhetorical appeals aim at persuading the reader that the writer’s ideas are reliable, and also justifiable (Duke, 1990). Rhetorical appeals used in ‘automation in construction’ journal, include logos, ethos and pathos. Hence, all calls used in the journal are aimed at the same goal; compelling opposite reactions from readers (Reagan, 1982).
For example, the implementation of automated constructions, ethos is used to give credibility to the writer (Burnsike, & Burnsike, 2008). The writer, Direct Science, is credible, with a comprehensive access to scientific knowledge. Furthermore, how ideas are presented in the journal give the writer more credibility. Thus, writers are more compelled digest his ideas. On the other hand, pathos is used to instill rational or heartfelt thoughts to the reader. For example, where the writer seeks to know how cheaper and faster methods of construction will improve returns in the industry. In regard, readers are more prominent to attempt the use of automated construction and gauge its benefits.
Lastly, logos provide logical reasoning and conscious judgment for the reader to determine the outcome. For example, Direct Science provides a reader with a scenario of construction done without automation techniques, to predict the outcome (Science Direct Online service).1992). The writers ask the readers how different the outcome would be if automation strategies were adopted. In this regard, the reader will be emotionally oriented to avoid mistakes that could be avoided by the presence of automated construction. Moreover, the author also uses text effects to provide clarity and conciseness to the reader. For instance, use of bold font and italics are used to highlight importance texts, and also to justify work that the writer has produced, through citations. Italics and bold fonts show emphasis in given text (Burnsike, & Burnsike, 2008).
Blog Post # 4
Civil engineering employs the use of ‘Modern Language Association’ (MLA) in formatting and publishing its writings, because of evidence provided by the MLA method of writing and citation. It makes it hard for individual to corrupt, duplicate or trade in published works without the conscience of the writer. Furthermore, citation evidence used in MLA is substantial and reduces the prevalence of plagiarism (Gibaldi, & Modern Language Association of America, 2009).
Citation of journals in MLA entails the use of author’s name, the title of the article, the title of the journal. The citation should also have an inclusion of the volume number, issue number, year of publication, volume database and the date that the article and journal were accessed. Therefore, citation of journals in MLA gives a reader comprehensive information about the published work, and its credibility to support the writer’s arguments. For example, Direct Science, Automation in Construction./.Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1992. Print.
In addition to citing journals, MLA is also useful in citing books for academic and commercial purposes. Although books written in MLA do not employ in text citations, its applicability is reputable. In text citations in MLA are used when writing reports and academic essays. Citation format in essays is; Surname and page where the evidence was cited. However in the bibliography, the book will follow the format of full names of the author, title of the book,after which follows the city of publication, the name of the publisher, year of publication, and then the medium of publication.
Other materials cited in MLA for civil engineering include newspapers, and other multimedia sources of evidence, or information. For example, the format followed is author’s name, the title of the article, then the title of the newspaper, publication date, and medium of publication (Gibaldi, & Modern Language Association of America,2009). In the case of multimedia sources like movies, MLA stresses the inclusion of the title of the movie cited, the name of the film director, the year the movie was initially released, the body which distributes the movies, and format of the movie. For example, if the movie is AVI, MP4, CD, or DVD. Lastly, citation of interviews in MLA is also done in a unique way. Interview citations must include the name of person interviewed, personal interview and then date of the interview (Gibaldi, & Modern Language Association of America. (2009).
Blog Post # 5
Conclusion
My hypothesis lined entirely with the results obtained from the study. For example, the study found out that writings vary in different academic disciplines, as their works are distinguishable in the nature of writing. Civil engineering uses texts rich in description, accuracy, and use of formulae to represent variables. Other disciplines like literature do not pay much attention to detail and accuracy.
Moreover, the interview and my textual analysis about ‘automation in construction proved that civil engineers have a unique way of writing, with specific characteristics to their work. Mr. Salem AlHarban elucidated that there are different types of writing, and writing styles in civil engineering are unique, compared to other disciplines (Young, 2002). The textual analysis also showed the same results, establishing that writing methods in civil engineering are strict and defined.
In summary, the main concept learned from this project is the different forms of writing used for different purposes and their applicability in communicating an author’s opinion and feeling to a reader. Hence, the knowledge gained will be useful in ascertaining which writing to use for different writing assignments (Young, 2002). Concepts learned will also be vital in building my prolificacy in writing, and communication ideas altogether.
References
Burnsike, R. W., & Burnsike, R. W. (2008). Literacy in the digital age. Thousand Oaks, Calif Corwin Press.
Dreifus, C., & Haberman, C. (1997). Interview. New York: Seven Stories Press.
Duke, R. K. (1990). The persuasive appeal of the Chronicler: A rhetorical analysis.Sheffield, England, Almond Press.
Gibaldi, J., & Modern Language Association of America. (2009). MLA handbook for writers and research papers.
Interview. (1977). New York: Interview Enterprises.
Reagan, B. A. A. (1982). The rhetoric of criminal defense. Ethos, Logos and Pathos in selected American works.
Science Direct (Online service). (1992) automation on construction. Amsterdam, Elsevier.
Young, M. (2002) the technical writer’s’ handbook: Writing with style and clarity. Sausalito. University Science Books.
