On Academic Writing for Mechanical Engineers
For a Mechanical Engineering major, writing can be different and more complicated compared to general writing since succinct writing is always emphasized, if not encouraged. There are, of course, different writing styles and guidelines for academic writing in general and Mechanical Engineering specifically. For current purposes, APA and MLA are focused on in order to. This presentation aims, accordingly, to explain away guidelines mechanical engineers need to be familiar with for essay writing based on extensive research and face-to-face interviews with Kahtan Awni and Aklhlko Kumaga, Professors of Mechanical Engineering and a Mechnical Engineering graduate student.
First, in an interview with Professor Awni, I have come to learn that past tense is one most preferred tense in writing, particularly for essays reporting findings and more specifically for Abstract section. For references, proper research work requires adequate search process for peer-reviewed and recognized articles, journals, reports and books, in-print or web-based. Moreover, references should help generate more ideas on engineering field in general. Indeed, identifying and classifying resources is nothing but manageable should one follow instructions provided by the at my university's library website.
Second, based on my experience as a student and Professor's Awni’s answers, one has come to differentiate in writing essays for sciences and humanities. In humanities, authors are granted more liberties to offer personal opinions. In Mechanical Engineering, a "hard science," however, authors are more bound by data which should be concise, objective, and accurate. Although a more abstract language is expected in writing Mechnical Engineering essays, using imagery and diagrams can be helpful in supporting abstract concepts. Indeed, given how complex and dry essays in hard sciences can be (in which more specialized concepts such as stress field, resonant frequency and Hertzian contact cannot be understood by larger audience.
For writing styles, engineering disciplines do not follow one writing style format. However, students in mechanical engineering are encouraged to use American Society for Mechanical Engineering (ASME) style, according to Professor Aklhlko Kumagai. If anything, “ASME style is used for submissions to ASME journals, conferences and other publications in the field of mechanical engineering” ("ASME Journals Digital Submission Tool"; "ASME"). For in-text citation, numbers are used in brackets: [1], arranged numerically according to order of appearance so professional peers, researchers, professors, and academic readers can easily check citations. In addition, writing should be in third person. Therefore, first and second person pronouns (e.g. I, me, you and we) cannot be used.
The American Psychological Association (APA) style is commonly used in science and engineering fields. However, mechanical engineering journals, e.g. ASME, recommend proper academic and professional writing should follow ASME guidelines since information are arranged in such a way as to easily identify different sections. At college, APA is usually accepted as a writing style in science and engineering departments. Modern Language Association (MLA) style is, on another hand, used most commonly to write papers and cite sources within liberal arts and humanities. Both styles, i.e. APA and MLA, have specific guidelines and requirements which help protect writers from being accused of plagiarism. According to Purdue Online Writing Lab, “[T]he use of MLA style can protect writers from accusations of plagiarism, which is the purposeful or accidental uncredited use of source material by other writers” ("MLA Formatting and Style Guide"). Therefore, APA and MLA are generally accepted in Mechanical Engineering field as long as authors take into consideration professor’s guidelines and referencing requirements.
Finally, based on information collected from different secondary sources in addition to primary (interview-based), one believes writing for Mechnical Engineering is easier compared to humanities. Personally, one has learned from interviewees that, as an author of a Mechanical Engineering paper, one should be able to communicate and develop ideas as well as present findings in simple format. One has also became familiar with different writing styles, e.g. ASME, which helps one better understand requirements of professors for project design, development and final presentation. If anything, one has learned to gain confidence and, more importantly, to follow instructions strictly so no marks are lost.
Works Cited
"ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)." Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech, n.d. Web. 24 June 2016.
"MLA Formatting and Style Guide." The Online Writing Lab (OWL). Purdue University, n.d. Web. 24 June 2016.
"ASME Journals Digital Submission Tool: Guidelines and Information." ASME. ASME, n.d. Web. 24 June 2016.
