Elective Courses
"Development of excellent writing skills is one of the most important and challenging aspects of graduate education in science and engineering. I advise every one of my doctoral students to take the TCP course on technical writing because the results are positive and consistent. You take talented engineers and give them the tools to communicate their ideas."
Professor Scott Delp, Chair, Bioengineering Department
The TCP’s courses in technical writing and in public speaking are designed especially for engineering students but appropriate for anyone who expects to write or speak in a professional setting. The Program creates in its courses a professional emphasis, training students to do the particular kinds of writing and speaking assignments they will do routinely as professionals. A significant part of the instruction takes place in regular, one-on-one tutorials. Each quarter during the year, the TCP offers the following courses:
E202W. Technical and Professional Writing - Explores functional, professional writing and examines the writing process as a problem-solving, design process. The course teaches students to
analyze the audiences of reports
recognize and state the purposes of reports
generate and select appropriate report materials
structure those materials clearly and convincingly
design effective reports
write readable and accessible reports efficiently
edit reports that are clear, concise, emphatic, and grammatically and mechanically "clean"
Lectures and discussions provide a foundation for the writing assignments, which are flexible, devised individually to give students practice writing documents specific to their disciplines and to help them focus on their particular writing needs. Students receive feedback on their writing and revisions in weekly one-on-one tutorials.
Most of the engineers who enroll in E202W are graduate students or seniors; E202W is required by several programs and departments. 3 units, Aut, Win, Spg, Lougee
E202S. Writing: Special Projects - Designed to help students improve their writing skills. Specifically, it helps them to communicate effectively the results of their research or to practice whatever kind(s) of writing they want to concentrate on. Ideal for engineering students working on non-course-related materials (journal articles, theses, dissertations, and so on). The course consists of weekly one-on-one tutorials—arranged individually—and is structured largely by the writing that students bring to it. Students receive from one to five units, depending on the amount of writing they complete successfully, based on the following rough guidelines:
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1 unit |
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15 pages writing & major revising (3 hours work/week) |
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2 units |
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25 pages (6 hours work/week) |
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3 units |
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35 pages (9 hours work/week) |
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4 units |
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45 pages (12 hours work/week) |
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5 units |
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50 pages (15 hours work/week) |
E202S is neither an editing service nor a course in the English language. 1 - 5 units, Aut, Win, Spg, Staff
E103. Public Speaking/Presentation Development - Introduces students to the full range of speaking activities, from impromptu talks to carefully rehearsed, formal, professional computer presentations. This practical course helps students develop confidence in their speaking ability through weekly presentations, lectures and discussions, in-class workshops, rehearsals in individual tutorials, and videotaped feedback. It includes a unit on the development and use of professional visual aids. In this course, students learn to
create clearly organized and effective speeches
develop a confident, polished, personalized delivery style
adapt delivery style to different material and audiences
explain complex technical substance so that audiences can understand it effortlessly
present material through visual as well as verbal means
gain experience and skill in impromptu speaking
The Program offers three sections of E103 each quarter. In addition to registering for the course on Axess, students must sign the class list in Terman 201. Priority given to engineering students. 3 units, Aut, Win, Spg, Staff
[Perhaps a link to a video clip of a sample speech and/or lecture]
E100. Teaching Public Speaking - Introduces students to the theory and practice of teaching public speaking/presentation development. In this tutor-training course, students deliver lectures, lead discussions, practice critiquing speeches, take part in fieldwork, and develop teaching materials in a term project. Hands-on introduction to designing an effective course, developing tutorial and workshop techniques, and teaching delivery, organization, audience analysis, visual aids, and style. Successful students are eligible to become paid public speaking instructors in the TCP, earning at least $13/hour. Admission to this course is by instructor's permission.
To schedule an interview, contact dlougee@stanford.edu. 5 units, offered as needed Aut, Win, Spg, Lougee
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