Though surrounded by fascinating and challenging subjects, too many engineers and scientists write dull reports and papers. More attention to verbs can help alleviate dullness and can promote such qualities as vividness, directness, force, and interest. Passive verb forms can be changed to active; combinations of passive verbs with other lifeless verbs can be reduced through subordination and elimination; and normalized verbs (verbs forced into noun functions) can be used as true verbs. An improved approach to technical writing is suggested.

Careless use of certain pronouns in technical writing today causes communication to be a fuzzy and inept as many other writing flaws. The pronouns most commonly misused are the demonstratives, <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">this</i> and <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">that</i> with their plurals <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">these</i> and <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">those</i> ; such relatives as <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">which</i> , <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">who</i> , <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">whom</i> , and <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">that</i> , and the anticipatory expletive <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">it</i> . Eliminating the irritating and confusing aspects of these often misused pronouns is simple. More effective and efficient technical communication will result.

The author feels that abstracting offers the writer of reports unique intrinsic values, making him a better disciplined writer. One value derives as he analyzes the relationships, totality, order, and import of his ideas. Another arises as he shows through transitions those analyzed characteristics of his ideas. These values are cumulative.