Communication training for scientists and engineers: A framework for highlighting principles common to written, oral, and visual communication

Engineers and scientists need to be skilled in writing, speaking, and using visuals. This paper explores how instruction in communication can draw upon principles common across modes of communication. I first survey guidelines for the design of scholarly posters and categorize the types of advice they provide. Second, I use the categories of advice to develop a framework which highlights principles of communication common to written, oral, and visual communication. This framework should help instructors to (1) identify opportunities for facilitating the transfer of communication skills among modes and contexts, and (2) to balance instruction between fundamental principles of communication and techniques specific to a mode or software tool.