Hidden Problems Can Derail Technical Writing

Abstract

Engineers' written messages-whether reports, memos, letters, or other documents-can be difficult to write for reasons quite apart from any technical complications encountered during the work. The difficulties can be diplomatic, ethical, even psychological. They range from anticipating reader hostility to being told to present negative results in a positive way. Some writers prefer simply to ignore such problems, but they run the risk of garbling or hiding the real message. Busy readers do not appreciate that. The shrewd writer will recognize the problem and develop a strategy for overcoming or bypassing it.