The spoken word

Engineers transmit more words through speech than through printed, film, or electronic media. Even though 15 to 30 percent of an engineer´s day may be spent on writing, another 15 to 30 percent is generally spent in technical discussions of current work. Further, most of us can generate 1000 words in a technical discussion in far less time than we can generate 1000 words of final copy for a technical report. Engineers also transmit spoken words in formal presentations, briefings, and meetings.