Re: Calling all Technical Editors again!; Was, "RE: Writing Corrective Actions for customers?"

["Gene Kim-Eng" <techwr -at- genek -dot- com>]

It's pretty much a waste of time and effort to debate which
is "more important," technical expertise or communications
expertise.  Both are, and any time you have to select a
candidate who is lacking in either you are to some extent
compromising the ideal.

I can make an effective tech writer out of an experienced 
technical person who has no writing experience but has 
natural ability as a communicator.

I can make an effective tech writer out of an experienced 
communications person who has no technical experience 
but has natural ability to absorb technical material.

In a truly desperate situation, I might even be able to make
an effective tech writer out of someone who has no technical
*or* communications experience but has natural ability in
both areas.

Or, I can *hire* an effective tech writer if I can find someone 
who already has both communications *and* technical 
experience.

I don't really have to say which one I'd rather do if I had the 
choice, do I?

Gene Kim-Eng




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael West" <mbwest -at- bigpond -dot- com>

>> Ned wrote:
>> I've come to the conclusion that understanding the material on an
> intellectual 
>> level is paramount, and I know what happens when writers don't. It can 
>> be a big black eye on technical writing. I think our reputation is
>> pretty well shot because of it.

> "Understanding the material" is _part_ of the technical communication
> process, not a prerequisite to it. But even more "paramount"  than that is
> understanding the specific information need of the audience, and how it can
> best be met. Because nobody's paying you just to learn things that your
> audience doesn't need to know.

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