guide to style -- The shock of the new -- Word pictures -- Good for a laugh? -- Form and function -- Beginnings and endings -- Rewriting -- Words and sentences. Jargon -- Short and sweet -- Word chemistry -- Sentence structures -- Punctuation -- Numbers. Quantities -- Probabilities -- Illustrations. Pictures -- Graphs -- Printing and publishing -- Working with publishers. Editing -- On the nature of proofs -- Writing an index -- Speaking. Sit and prepare. Planning a talk -- A plan in action -- Making notes -- Practice makes ... better -- Stand and deliver. Conquering nerves -- Speaking out -- Gesture and posture -- Deliveries -- Bad habits -- Coping with questions -- Encore! -- Visual aids. Show and tell -- Slides -- Overhead projectors -- Flip charts -- Blackboards -- Films -- Video -- Demonstrations -- Meeting the media. Interviews for the press. Preparing for an interview -- The main event -- Information services -- Aftermath -- Television. Taking to the air -- Accepting invitations -- In the studio -- The interview -- Radio. Speaking for listeners -- You and your audience.

A comprehensive handbook written specifically for scientists, engineers and doctors who want to communicate with the general public. It includes practical advice on writing for magazines and newspapers; preparing book proposals; organising, planning and rehearsing a talk and coping with nerves; working effectively with professionals in the print and broadcast media; and preparing for interviews.