Is it advised to avoid using short sentences in technical writing?

In technical writing, the use of short sentences is often encouraged rather than avoided. Short sentences can enhance clarity and comprehension, which are critical goals in effectively communicating complex information. They allow the reader to process information step by step, making the material more digestible, particularly when dealing with intricate concepts or technical details.

Emphasizing clarity means that technical writers frequently lean towards brevity to keep the focus on key ideas without overwhelming the reader. While varying sentence length can also be beneficial to maintain engagement, short sentences serve a specific purpose in distilling essential information and ensuring that readers can easily understand instructions, explanations, or data.

In contrast, the options that suggest avoiding short sentences either entirely or in specific contexts, such as complex topics or formal documents, may overlook the significant advantages that short sentences provide in maintaining clarity and simplicity. Therefore, the assertion that one should avoid using short sentences is not supported in the context of effective technical communication.