Why Can’t Johnny Write?

Graduating engineers continue to demonstrate poor technical writing skills and frequently must have extended assistance to improve those skills to a satisfactory level as they move into their new careers in industry.Most national accreditation organizations require learned skills in oral and written communications to accredit a college or university engineering program.An additional requirement is the existence and active participation of an Industrial Advisory Board in curriculum development.Why then does this problem persist?Can the problem be placed at the door of the university, or are the expectations of industry set too high?Perhaps there is some blame to be placed on the university and industry, a problem not being adequately addressed by both.This paper explores a number of possible causes behind the problem, and suggests changes that