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Technical Writing is a specialized subset of expository writing, and I would expect technical writing programs to teach that. Along with that, I would expect students who complete degree or certificate programs to have a solid understanding of PCs, development lifecycle methodologies, HATs (including single-sourcing), graphics arts tools, and version control and tech writing best practices. There should also be some sort of indoctrination to the idea that tech writers need to be self-directed learners. I would expect a candidate with a degree or certificate to have very good writing skills, but I would not expect someone who wants to be a tech writer to be a grammarian. Is there some other set of "technical information" that you would expect?
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+lporrello=illumina -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lporrello=illumina -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Ruth Sessions
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 8:57 AM
To: mattgras -at- comcast -dot- net; Kat Kuvinka
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com; mike west
Subject: Re: Help - my consultants cannot write!
This is not bashing. It is discussing a serious issue about educating people who want to enter our field.
Indeed, some people think that "anyone can write," but if you are hiring writers, you soon learn that is not the case...
I believe that tech writing programs tend to assume the person applying can write and spend most of their time teaching technical information.
Sadly, most people I've interviewed who had technical writing certificates from such programs could not answer even the simplest technical questions.
The programs can benefit people who make the effort, but apparently people who don't make the effort and get little out of the program still manage to pass the courses and get the certificate. That fact diminishes the meaning of the certificate...
________________________________
From: "mattgras -at- comcast -dot- net" <mattgras -at- comcast -dot- net>
To: Kat Kuvinka <katkuvinka -at- hotmail -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com; mike west <mike -dot- west -at- bigpond -dot- com>
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2011 10:51 AM
Subject: Re: Help - my consultants cannot write!
Doesn't sound like teacher-bashing to me.
I've been dismayed, more than once, by candidates for tech writing positions who can't write -- and who come proudly bearing enthusiastic recommendations from teachers in prestigious tech-writing programs.
Don't know what those teachers were teaching: but it wasn't how to write.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kat Kuvinka" <katkuvinka -at- hotmail -dot- com>
To: "mike west" <mike -dot- west -at- bigpond -dot- com>, "eddy skau" <eddy -dot- skau -at- gmail -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2011 7:21:42 AM
Subject: RE: Help - my consultants cannot write!
This should not be a forum for your political views and teacher-bashing.
Kathee
>
> As for what you call the "wiring" of the brain, I know nothing about that,
> but I do know that the overarching purpose of formal education is to teach
> people how to think clearly and express themselves clearly. At least it used
> to be - God knows what they think they're doing nowadays. My personal view
> that is that many teachers are not all that capable of thinking clearly;
> they are too loaded up with dubious ideological baggage and political
> correctness. (Disclaimer: I'm married to a teacher who is a notable
> exception to this generality.)
>
> --
>
> Mike West
>>
>>
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