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Subject:Re: Expectations (possible rant - it IS Friday!) From:Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Sun, 20 Feb 2005 13:08:09 -0500
> - I doubt that anybody could produce a reasonably usable
> product document without knowledge of users and tasks.
It's been happening for decades.
> - Few writers, even good ones, can write outside their own
> style. Technical writers need to adjust their style to
> the audience and the type of material.
Should, not need.
> Working to the development schedule and planning are necessary
> but not sufficient attributes for successful tech writing.
They are required. Anyone can be a technical writer, just like anyone
can be a programmer, chef, or plumber. There is no "gift" to any of
these things, only the desire and willingless to do what's necessary
to build the right skills. And yes, a good technical writer should
know audience and task, but it's not required for the *job*.
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