Communicating in Spite of TLAs (Three-Letter Acronyms)  

The unchecked use of acronyms and initialisms in technical writing presents a huge obstacle to clarity and readability. Although technical communicators are certainly more aware of this problem than are the engineers, scientists, and managers with whom they work, they need concrete guidelines and at least a small degree of self-righteousness on this subject to help them cope with the onslaught. That acronyms frustrate communication is well-founded in linguistic theory and common sense. Suggestions for mitigating their effect include issues of audience, term selectivity, frequency and occasion of use, and aesthetics.

Miller, Diane F. STC Proceedings (1995). Articles>Writing>Style Guides

Using the Web to Bring Space Science and Technology Down to Earth  

At JPL, the World-Wide Web has become an invaluable educational outreach mechanism. In the area of space flight mission operations, for example, we have been able to make publicly accessible two workbooks found to be of much wider interest than their original internal training purposes would have suggested. These electronic documents, by using simple language and illustrations, andfocusing on pithy content and good writing style, have met with great success not only in disseminating important scienttjic and technological concepts to a society pittjuily behind the curve in these areas, but also in promoting understanding and enthusiasm for NASA ‘s unmanned space exploration programs.

Miller, Diane F. STC Proceedings (1997). Presentations>Scientific Communication>Engineering