The contemporary technical writer, who often must fill the current demand for environmental impact statements and similar environmentally oriented documents, can perhaps benefit from reading the works of some of the classic naturalists such as William Bartram, Henry Walter Bates, and Charles Darwin. These early writers show an ability to present concretely detailed observations of flora and fauna without sacrificing readability and without losing touch with the natural world under observation. The best technical writing today can combine essential efficiency with sensitive treatment of environmental subjects.

The research scientist has been viewed by creators of popular film and fiction as a superspecialist with little ability to relate to the real world. Although this popular image of the researcher is exaggerated, real problems do exist for the researcher in his efforts to ommunicate with nonresearchers. The individuality, pioneering spirit, intensity, and dedication of the researcher serve to isolate him from the rest of society. The abstract nature of scientific research and the lack of a clearly definable product of much scientific research further disrupt communication between the researcher and the nonresearcher.

The author of this article has observed the needs of the manual writer from two viewpoints, that of the technical writing teacher and that of the consultant to industry. He offers several suggestions for helping the manual writer through attention to resource materials, planning of courses, organization, and style and mechanics.

The conference is looked upon as a nearly magical device for problem-solving, decision-making, strengthening intra-organizational communication, and building morale. These intended functions place a heavy burden on the conference leader and bring about a dichotomy in the conference between progress towards a goal and total member participation in discussion. This dichotomy can only be eliminated if a more realistic view of the conference is taken, a view which takes into account the impossibility of the conference fulfilling all of the functions which it is now expected to fulfill.