Eighty-seven editors of professional journals in engineering and allied scientific fields answered a questionnaire about their journals and the evaluation and publication of material received. The journals focus on basic and applied research, theoretical development, applications, and new developments, with little emphasis on other matters. Supported primarily by subscriptions and page charges, most have part-time editors of whom half receive some payment. Almost all editors use referees, but most do not always accept referees' judgments. AH editors supply instructions for authors. The most common reasons for rejection of material are the subject (not suitable), coverage (questionable significance, too shallow, or questionable validity), and presentation (bad organization or ineffective expression). The most puzzling factors in working with authors relate to suggested changes and to the quality of expression. The most common mistakes are in organization and presentation of material and failure to follow instructions provided. The most common advice is to follow guidelines for manuscripts, write clearly and concisely, and present only material of interest to the reader in a logical sequence with citation of related work.

This article concerns a survey made by the author to determine the importance of technical writing to prominent engineers. Specific items discussed are the place of technical writing in the engineering curriculum and what should be included in a technical writing course. The results of a lengthy questionnaire are given, with some individual comments.

In any situation in which a written communication is produced, eight variables and three processes are present. The variables are the occasion, the author, the subject, the purpose, the supporting facilities, time, the communication itself, and the recipient. The processes are the preparation, transmission, and consideration and use of the communication. The success of the communication is governed largely by the effectiveness with which the author evaluates the situation and produces a communication appropriate to the attainment of his purposes within it. Fortuitous circumstances beyond the control of the author (and of which he may be unaware) may affect the likelihood that the communication will be successful.

In any situation in which a written communication is produced, eight variables and three processes are present. The variables are the occasion, the author, the subject, the purpose, the supporting facilities, time, the communication itself, and the recipient. The processes are the preparation, transmission, and consideration and use of the communication. The success of the communication is governed largely by the effectiveness with which the author evaluates the situation and produces a communication appropriate to the attainment of his purposes within it. Fortuitous circumstances beyond the control of the author (and of which he may be unaware) may affect the likelihood that the communication will be successful.

An experiment was performed to determine the effect (if any) of sloppy typing and reproduction upon the effectiveness of a written technical message. The variables tested were the margins, the way in which corrections were made, and the reproduction of the message. Approximately seven hundred subjects in five definably different audiences were tested. Measures were taken of comprehension, reading time, judgment of the author's credibility, and judgment of the author's competence as a writer. Five main effects and five interactions were found at the 0.05 level of probability. Each variable, each measure of the effectiveness of the message, and each audience was involved in one or more of these effects. In each main effect and each interaction subject to easy interpretation, the unaltered form (good typing and good reproduction) of the variable(s) concerned appeared to be the more effective.