Controversial writing thumb|left|250px|Leonardo da Vinci Old Man with water studies. In the Royal Library, Windsor. Thought to be a self-portrait, showing Leonardo's writing and drawing. Skilled writers influence ideas and society, so there are many instances where a writer's work or opinion has been unwelcome and controversial. In some cases, they have been persecuted or punished. Aware that their writing will cause controversy or put themselves and others into danger, some writers self-censor; or withhold their work from publication; or hide their manuscripts; or use some other technique to preserve and protect their work. Two of the most famous examples are Leonardo da Vinci and Charles Darwin. Leonardo "had the habit of conversing with himself in his writings and of putting his thoughts into the clearest and most simple form". He used "left-handed or mirror writing" (a technique described as "so characteristic of him") to protect his scientific research from other readers. The fear of persecution, social disgrace, and being proved incorrect are regarded as contributing factors to Darwin's delaying the publication of his radical and influential work On the Origin of Species.
Controversial writing thumb|left|250px|Leonardo da Vinci Old Man with water studies In the Royal Library Windsor Thought to be a self-portrait showing Leonardo's writing and drawing Skilled writers influence ideas and society so there are many instances where a writer's work or opinion has been unwelcome and controversial In some cases they have been persecuted or punished Aware that their writing will cause controversy or put themselves and others into danger some writers self-censor; or withhold their work from publication; or hide their manuscripts; or use some other technique to preserve and protect their work Two of the most famous examples are Leonardo da Vinci and Charles Darwin Leonardo "had the habit of conversing with himself in his writings and of putting his thoughts into the clearest and most simple form" He used "left-handed or mirror writing" (a technique described as "so characteristic of him") to protect his scientific research from other readers The fear of persecution social disgrace and being proved incorrect are regarded as contributing factors to Darwin's delaying the publication of his radical and influential work On the Origin of Species