ABSTRACT
Technical presentation is akin to musical performance: it is a complicated, learned skill. Talent helps but is not enough. For engineers there is no option; the skill of technical speaking must be mastered. In a professional setting, an engineer who speaks poorly might just come across as unprepared, unprofessional, or even silly; disappoint or annoy important people like mentors, supervisors, colleagues, and customers. Mislead others, or at least fail to get hard-won technical ideas across to them; suffer from career stagnation or failure to land an attractive job; and possibly acquire a negative overall reputation as a poor communicator. Every engineer stands to gain from developing strong technical presentation skills. Explore the ethical codes published by professional societies such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers.
