Technical writing — “very useful stuff”

Experience at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University indicates that students in engineering and science need a course in technical writing. A one-quarter course there begins with a review of general editing principles, based on Strunk and White's Elements of Style, and an introduction to specific principles of organizing and editing technical material. Students then write a series of assignments using specific formats, such as technical descriptions, memos, instructions, letters, proposals, and formal reports or articles. Students have found the course valuable; their opinions are reinforced by those of the faculty.