Interdisciplinary Advanced Writing

Project 1: Discourse Analysis

As suggested in Swales' The Concept of Discourse Community, "a discourse community
has a broadly agreed set of common public goals" and a primary purpose of using
communication to achieve those goals [1]. My particular discourse community is that of
mechanical engineers. The mechanical engineering community is continually growing, having
shown a 10% increase in bachelor's degrees between the 2001-02 and 2006-07 academic years,
and a 20% increase between the 2006-07 and 2011-12 academic years [2]. With a growing
community, the ability to communicate effectively becomes essential for success, as it allows for
continuity among its members, and evolution of the industry. Many different forms of
communication occur between engineers. In many cases calculations, data, dimensions, theories
and techniques are exchanged; and it is vital these are passed effectively. Miscommunications
can result in potentially fatal outcomes in engineering, as in the case of NASA's Challenger,
where a mere unit conversion resulted in the death of seven. In this paper I wish to show the
conventions and purpose for communication in the mechanical engineering discourse community
by researching different commonly used mediums for communication among engineers.
I have selected two journals to represent my discourse community, which focus on the
most recent theories, studies, and concepts regarding mechanical engineering. The first, the
American Society for Mechanical Engineer's (ASME) primary publication Mechanical
Engineering, includes a wide range of topics within the field, and is representative of a public
facing source for the industry. Mechanical Engineering features information on the latest topics
concerning our community, including: progress in design, the implementation of new

technologies, and successes in the field. The second journal I have chosen is Elsevier,
specifically the Aerospace Science and Technology journal, which is more technical and contains
primarily research papers.
As an overarching societal body for mechanical engineers, comprised of all types from
students to people in industry, ASME sets out to connect mechanical engineers and create
continuity within the discipline. ASME is known for establishing standards regarding
tolerancing, dimensioning, and construction, as well as releasing news about what is new in the
industry. Looking at ASME's website, it is apparent that the spread of knowledge is highly
valued within the engineering discourse community. The society offers certifications, classes,
and books to educate members and inspire the future generation of engineers. Furthermore,
vocabulary such as 'change,' 'next-generation,' 'experience,' and 'exploring' is used throughout,
which continues to suggest this greater purpose of education [3]. And in addition to Mechanical
Engineering, ASME uses many methods including articles, newsletters, technical papers,
videos, development programs, and conferences to "promote the art, science, and practice of
multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences around the globe" [3]. But what makes these
texts effective?
Artur Malinouski, a part-time Northeastern graduate student and associate mechanical
engineer at Thermo Fisher Scientific, says that his biggest surprise entering the discourse
community was "how much miscommunication happens because of incorrect assumptions and
imprecise language" [4]. So, as stated in an article by ASME, it is understood that the primary
purpose, and challenge, of writing in engineering is to express "knowledge in a clear, concise,
and coherent manner" [5]. To write in the engineering community requires a sound foundation
for both purpose and method, and an even better means of effectively communicating complex

ideas. Bridget Smyser, an associate teaching professor at Northeastern University, adds, "
Engineers tend to value concise, direct and informative communication, and have to have a
reason to listen to you. I can think that phase diagrams are the most interesting thing on the
planet, but if I cant present it in a way that my students see the value of knowing about them,
then they will tune me out" [6]. Thus, attention to detail, background information and a topic's
importance are essential features of successful communication in engineering. Additionally, it is
important to gauge your audience, and present reliable information in a way geared to satisfy or
persuade that audience. Smyser continues, "It doesnt matter if you create cold fusion out of a
cardboard box and chewing gum. If you dont tell the scientific community about it in a way that
people believe you, it didnt happen" [6].
Further trends in engineering communication are evidenced in ASME's most recent cover
story "Trial By Ice a Next-Generation Ocean Robot Explores the Arctic's Deepest Secrets"
an informational article about the development and launch of a new robotic vessel capable of
withstanding subzero temperatures. This article features pictures of the device and a labeled
diagram, highlighting subsystems of the robot including an "acoustic communication transducer
array" and "1 atm electronic pressure housings," to better show its purpose and ability [7]. The
content of this article is indicative of communication in engineering, as it draws focus to what is
important to take away, rather than the interstitial details. With a primary purpose of clarity and
simplicity, the author effectively conveys relevant information on the topic by highlighting
important features, roadblocks, and milestones. Zeldovich utilizes simple techniques to be
effective in her writing, such as giving clarifications when needed and omitting information
regarding ideas too complex or specific for the average reader. An example of this is in the
details of a latch failure, where it is explained that the two parts of the latch had "different

coefficients of thermal expansion [and] had jammed together in the cold" [7]. Here, Zeldovich
stresses that it is important, as Malinouski says, "to be as explicit and concise in your
communication as possible. Never assuming anything about your audience's knowledge or
understanding is a good practice," so not to leave anything to question [4].
Moreover, the article not only talks about technology, it also talks about the project's
importance. Zeldovich states that "climate change is affecting the Arctic region more intensely
than anywhere else on Earth," and researchers wish to "study the changes occurring in the Arctic
ice pack and the ecosystems beneath it" [7]. This shows that although technology is the forefront
of mechanical engineering, the purpose of work in the industry is just as important as the
product.
Another cover article featured in Mechanical Engineering "Robots at Work: Where Do
We Fit?" utilizes similar tactics in relaying information on the progress of automation in the
workforce. An essential component of this article is the use of tabulated data and graphical
displays. One table, titled "Fastest Growing/Shrinking Occupations (UK)," provides data on the
employment for certain jobs between a 22 year span and their percent change [8]. Data, statistics
and graphs are common components of engineering communication. Jeff Triolo, a Cornell
graduate and mechanical engineer at Jarvik Heart, says that "data is a commonly used method for
portraying comparative information otherwise too difficult to describe with words" [9]. He also
goes on to say that "it is very common to see mechanical engineers with a background in
statistics, as it allows them to better summarize and provide context for test results and
calculations. It's a sort of sub-vernacular for engineers or a short-hand for communicating
critical elements of complex math" [9].

Submissions to ASME's Mechanical Engineering are accepted by any member, many of

which are independent writers, and are reviewed before publishing. The idea is that studies from
all levels and on many different topics can be shared with a wide audience to relay information
on new technology, thoughts, and advancements. The overall intent of this is to enlighten other
engineers, start educated discussions, seek feedback, and inspire future ideas and studies.
The second journal I analyzed, Elsevier, publishes a monthly collection of research
papers on many different topics within mechanical engineering. I looked specifically at one of 25
articles in Volume 53 of the journal Aerospace Science and Technology titled "Power allocation
and measurement matrix design for block CS-based distributed MIMO radars" [10]. Compared
to the articles featured in ASME's Mechanical Engineering, it is evident just from the title that
these research papers have a much narrower scope, and it should be noted that research papers
are the typical medium for introducing new concepts in engineering. This paper far exceeds the
comprehension of the average reader, and seeks rather the feedback and validation of engineering
peers. Among the acronyms, such as compressive sensing (CS) and multiple-input-multipleoutput (MIMO), engineering jargon including "space-velocity domain," and mathematical
methods such as "convex optimization methods," are used throughout [10]. Since the author is
writing with the engineering community as the intended audience, he can assume a certain level
of reader comfort with overt mathematics and engineering vernacular. Additional conventions
include providing calculations, for both validation and proof of concept, and figures and tables,
to clearly portray data. This article includes 81 formulae and 8 figures [10]. Furthermore, flow is
established by breaking the paper up into several parts: abstract, keywords, introduction,
calculations, results, analysis, and conclusions. Triolo mentions that "standardization of form
allows for an easier, more predictable reading routine" for engineers who already have to

consider so much when they're reading a paper [9]. It eliminates having to deal with variances in
style, which can detract from what is being communicated.
Lastly, another notable feature of this article is the reference section. References are
commonly used in engineering writing to bring together ideas, and establish credibility. Since the
primary purpose of communication within the community is to educate others and share
information, it is important that such information is reliable. As Smyser puts it, "Engineers have
an obligation to society to make sure that accurate information about discoveries gets out to the
wider public, so that people can make informed decisions about technology and policy" [6]. The
article I analyzed in Aerospace Science and Technology features 36 different references, which
help to provide clarity for certain concepts, and proof of method. It also shows the overlap of
information and how collaborative studies can lead to discovery.
Submissions to Elsevier's Aerospace Science and Technology journal are accepted by
anyone, however it undergoes extensive review. Texts are accepted based on 8 key qualifications
including that "the insight is used to develop a framework or theory," "the insight stimulates new,
important questions" and "the methods used are applied rigorously and explain why and how the
data supports the conclusions" [11].
In summation, the common practices and values of engineering communication lie in the
portrayal of complex concepts and technologies in clear and concise terms. This is done such that
information and data can be exchanged to enlighten members of the community, undergo
revision, and establish continuity among engineers. Clarity, conciseness, figures, and statistical
data are the vital components to writing within the field, as they allow for better communication

among members of the discourse community, and inspire collaborative studies with the overall
intent of advancing our field.

Works Cited
[1] J. Swales, The Concept of Discourse Community. Cambridge, MA: English in Academic and
Research Settings, 1990.
[2] Fast Facts, Fast Facts. [Online]. Available: http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=37.
[Accessed: 30-May-2016].
[3] The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, The American Society of Mechanical
Engineers. [Online]. Available: https://www.asme.org/. [Accessed: 30-May-2016].
[4] D. Triolo and A. Malinouski, Interview with Artur Malinouski, 31-May-2016.
[5] M. Crawford, How Engineers Can Improve Technical Writing, How Engineers Can
Improve Technical Writing, Sep-2012. [Online]. Available: https://www.asme.org/careereducation-retired/articles/business-writing/how-engineers-can-improve-technical-writing.
[Accessed: 30-May-2016].
[6] D. Triolo and B. Smyser, Interview with Bridget Smyser, 29-May-2016.
[7] L. Zeldovich, Trial By Ice, Technology & Society Topics for Engineers, May-2016.
[Online]. Available: https://www.asme.org/engineering-topics/articles/technology-andsociety/trial-by-ice. [Accessed: 30-May-2016].
[8] A. S. Brown, Robots at Work: Where Do We Fit?, Technology & Society Topics for
Engineers, Apr-2016. [Online]. Available: https://www.asme.org/engineeringtopics/articles/technology-and-society/robots-at-work-where-do-we-fit. [Accessed: 30-May2016].
[9] D. Triolo and J. Triolo, Interview with Jeffrey Triolo, 30-May-2016.
[10] A. Abtahi, M. Modarres-Hasemi, F. Marvasti, and F. S. Tabataba, Power allocation and
measurement matrix design for block CS-based distributed MIMO radars, Aerospace Science
and Technology, vol. 53, pp. 128135, Mar. 2016.
[11] E. Zwaaf, '8 reasons I accepted your article', Elsevier Connect, 15-Jan-2013. [Online].
Available: https://www.elsevier.com/connect/8-reasons-i-accepted-your-article. [Accessed: 30May-2016].