ABSTRACT
I described in Chapter 2 an incidental use of tables, graphs, examples, exercises, displayed formulae or equations, and instructions for experiments, to make layout more attractive. More importantly, these are characteristic, and often essential, features of scientific and technical writing, yet authors sometimes under-rate the extent to which they enhance a book, paper, report or instruction manual. They even look upon preparing tables or diagrams and selecting examples and exercises as unwelcome drudgery. Which features are important clearly depends on subject matter and target readership. Exercises for students are needed in most textbooks in mathematics and for many in physics, but are unlikely to have a place in a field handbook for geologists. Descriptions of experiments or techniques are usually appropriate in textbooks on practical aspects of chemistry, physics, biology and engineering. Diagrams are often vital explanatory tools in instruction manuals.
