SJSU Research Guides: Technical Writing for Engineers and Scientists: Technical Writing Resources

Find Books and E-books
Campus Writing Resources

Ebooks

Read these library ebooks on your computer, phone, or tablet

You can find additional titles by searching the library catalog using the phrases “technical writing”, “communication in engineering”, or “communication of technical information”

How to Write a Good Scientific Paper [e-book] / Chris A. Mack (2018)
Many scientists and engineers consider themselves poor writers or find the writing process difficult. This book is all about teaching the style and conventions of writing for a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
Writing for Science and Engineering: papers, presentations and reports [electronic resource] / Heather Silyn-Roberts.(2000)
Discusses writing a literature review, research proposals, journal paper, design report, emails, and many other useful documents in science and engineering.
Engineer’s Guide to Technical Writing [electronic resource] / Kenneth G. Budinski (2001)
Definition of technical writing and styles, includes examples of laboratory report, informal report, formal report, technical newsletter, journal article, patent.
Scientists Must Write: A Guide to Better Writing for Scientists, Engineers, and Students [electronic resource] / Robert Barrass
Describes the importance of writing for technical communications and includes details about how to plan and write for a technical report, including using illustrations and numbers. A chapter is devoted to how to gather information through “Reading.”
Technical Writing [electronic resource] / Sajitha Jayaprakash (2008)
Find out the basics of technical writing and documentation. Learn about writing standards and styles, the structure of a document, and using language to communicate. Punctuation rules and misused words are explained.
Technical Writing in the Corporate World [electronic resource] / Herman A. Estrin, Norbert Elliot (1990)
Writing technical documents. Includes resumes and cover letters to get a job. On the job writing examples include trip reports, activity reports, proposals, and procedures.

You can also find ebooks on grammar and style.

Grammar by Christine Sinclair
ISBN: 0335240860
Publication Date: 2010-03-01
English Grammar Essentials for Dummies by Wendy M. Anderson; Geraldine Woods; Lesley J. Ward
ISBN: 9781118493298
Publication Date: 2013-03-01
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation by Jane Straus; Mignon Fogarty (Foreword by)
ISBN: 1-118-79021-9
Publication Date: 2008-06-16

Print Books

Prefer print books? Look for Technical Writing books on the 8th floor under the call numbers beginning with T11, including:

The Essentials of Technical Communication. Fifth edition by Elizabeth Tebeaux and Sam Dragga
This is an English textbook for students taking courses in technical communication
Write, Present, Create : Science Communication for Undergraduates by Mary Poffenroth
Helps non-science major students successfully complete papers, presentations, and new media projects in undergraduate science courses.

Campus Writing Resources

The Writing Center
We offer one-on-one and small-group tutoring appointments, both in-person on campus and online via Zoom.
The Writing Center's Homegrown Handouts
Homegrown Handouts address the most common questions tutees ask in the Writing Center.