Technical Report Writing in the Geosciences in American Colleges and Universities: An Evaluation and Recommendations

Abstract

The inability of college students to write clear and effective technical reports is a source of concern and frustration for faculty members in geoscience departments, as indicated by 339 responses to a questionnaire sent to 482 department chairmen in the United States and Canada. Although weak communication skills at the college level reflect problems throughout the American school system, this situation cannot be used as an excuse for ignoring the problem at the college level. Professional geoscientists have a committment to the preparation, writing, and presentation of the results of their research; and these skills must be emphasized in their education. Approaches to the teaching of technical report writing will depend on the philosophy of education as well as the resources of any particular college or university. Geoscience faculty members can stress the importance of writing well by assigning reports, requiring revisions of poorly written ones, and grading on both technical content and overall effect...