ABSTRACT
When asked why we must write, most scientists and engineers think first of the need to communicate. Communication is so important in science and engineering that it is easy to forget our other reasons for writing. We write as part of our day-to-day work: to help us to observe, to remember, to think, to plan and to organise, as well as to communicate. Above all, writing helps us to think and to express our thoughts – and anyone who writes badly is handicapped both when working alone and in dealing with others.
