I listened to the podcast “Elijah Jones on Writing Questions” because I was interested in understanding how writing, often seen as less central to engineering, plays a significant role in the field. I chose this podcast because I wanted to explore how technical professionals like engineers use writing, not just for documentation, but as a tool for thinking, communicating, and problem-solving.

The podcast did change the way I view writing’s role in engineering. Before listening, I primarily saw writing as a means to record data, produce reports, or communicate designs. However, Elijah Jones explained that writing is a fundamental part of the engineering process itself. Engineers often need to clarify complex concepts, not only for others but also for themselves. Writing helps engineers think through problems, articulate questions, and develop solutions in a structured way. This made me realize that writing is intertwined with engineering design, testing, and refinement.

In my view, the role of writing in engineering is to serve as a critical communication tool that allows for collaboration, precision, and clarity. Whether it’s drafting technical documents, creating proposals, or explaining complex ideas to non-experts, engineers must be able to communicate their ideas effectively. Writing ensures that these ideas are understood, implemented, and built upon by others.

The podcast also illuminated something new about writing lab reports. Jones emphasized the importance of asking the right questions during the writing process, especially in the methods and discussion sections. I hadn’t previously considered how crucial it is to frame questions well in a lab report, beyond simply reporting results. Writing a lab report is not just about presenting findings; it’s about guiding the reader through the investigative process by asking thoughtful questions that reflect critical thinking at every stage of the experiment.