Technical Communication Program

The Technical Communication Program (TCP), in Huang Engineering 049, is a writing and public speaking resource center focused on STEM communication for Stanford students of all levels.

The TCP offers individual consulting and coaching in addition to a range of courses to help Stanford students become more effective and confident writers and presenters.

The TCP's experienced and supportive instructors provide feedback on most types of documents (e.g., fellowship proposals, journal articles, statements of purpose) and presentations (e.g., dissertation defenses, pitches) and are familiar with the forms of STEM communication. The TCP also provides support for School of Engineering courses (including WIM courses) and offers workshops on various aspects of technical communication. Our services are primarily designed for students in engineering, but we welcome students from across the university. 

If you are interested in a consultation about a document or presentation, please click on the Consulting request form button below to submit a webform. Because we work with many courses and students and review written material before meeting students, please submit your request well in advance of your due date.

Consulting request form

TCP Courses

ENGR 202S: Directed Writing Projects (Individual Writing Instruction) 

1-unit, non-lecture writing instruction. Effective writing is key to academic and professional progress. 202S provides individualized writing instruction for students working on important writing projects such as dissertations, fellowship proposals, theses, journal articles, and research statements. The course consists of once weekly one-on-one conferences with lecturers from the Technical Communication Program. Students receive close attention to and detailed feedback on their writing to help them become more confident writers, hone their writing skills, and tackle any writing issues they may have. No prerequisite. Grading S/NC. 1 unit. Offered autumn, winter and spring.

ENGR 202W: Technical Communication

To be effective as an engineer or scientist, you must communicate your research and projects effectively to a broad range of audiences: your professors, your fellow students, your colleagues in the field, and sometimes the public. ENGR. 202W offers a collaborative environment in which you will hone your communication skills by writing and presenting about a project of your choosing and working on your CV/resume. ENGR202W is a practicum (supervised practical application) that helps you build toward a complete skillset for technical communication in the twenty-first century. Through interactive presentations and activities, group workshops, and individual conferences, you will learn best practices for communicating to academic and professional audiences for a range of purposes.  3 units. Offered autumn, winter, spring. 

ENGR 102W: Technical and Professional Communication 

Effective communication skills will help you advance quickly. Learn the best technical and professional techniques in writing and speaking. Group workshops and individual conferences with instructor. Designed for undergraduates going into industry. Allowed to fulfill WIM for Atmosphere/Energy and Environmental Systems Engineering majors only. Designed for undergraduates. 3 units. Offered spring. Also listed as CEE 102W.

ENGR 100: Teaching Public Speaking 

The theory and practice of teaching public speaking and presentation development. Lectures/discussions on developing an instructional plan, using audiovisual equipment for instruction, devising tutoring techniques, and teaching delivery, organization, audience analysis, visual aids, and unique speaking situations. Weekly practice speaking. Students serve as apprentice speech tutors. Those completing course may become paid speech instructors in the Technical Communications Program. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. To schedule an interview, contact Matt Vassar. 3 units. Offered winter and spring.

ENGR 103/203: Public Speaking 

Priority to Engineering students. Introduction to speaking activities, from impromptu talks to carefully rehearsed formal professional presentations. How to organize and write speeches, analyze audiences, create and use visual aids, combat nervousness, and deliver informative and persuasive speeches effectively. Weekly class practice, rehearsals in one-on-one tutorials, videotaped feedback. Limited enrollment. 3 units. Offered autumn, winter and spring.

School of Engineering course support

In addition to its writing and public speaking courses, the TCP provides tutorial support for writing and speaking activities in the School of Engineering’s undergraduate and graduate courses, including WIM courses. Collaborating with course instructors, we customize support to meet the needs and learning aims of the course.

We are also available to consult with faculty on assignment design, to give in-class presentations or workshops on writing or presentations, and to mentor TAs on how to respond to student writing or presentations.