Professional scientists or engineers spend up to one third of their working time writing, reading and talking, and paper is one of the major products of all industrial and research organizations. Well-organized, readable and informative writing is obviously essential if professional people are to operate effectively within their working environments. This second edition of a highly successful and well respected guide to improved communication now contains two extra chapters - on writing with computers and writing in examinations. The text has also been throughly revised to provide the reader with the most up-to-date information. This book examines the methods by which the reader can communicate a variety of ideas, technical or commercial, in a number of ways. Examples, key points and helpful references throughout make Effective Writing an ideal source of specific information on layout, style and structure.

Writing is communicating: revising basic assumptions. Thinking about aim and audience. Starting to write: a practical approach. Organization and layout of information. The use of headings and numbering. Algorithms for complex possibilities and procedures. Style for readability. Writing with a computer. Informative summaries. Choosing and using tables, illustrations and graphic presentation techniques. Writing instructions. Writing descriptions and explanations. Writing letters and memoranda. Writing minutes and reports of proceedings. Writing in examinations.