TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Certification From:Beverly Parks <bparks -at- HUACHUCA-EMH1 -dot- ARMY -dot- MIL> Date:Wed, 12 Jul 1995 13:20:03 MST
"Arlen P. Walker" <Arlen -dot- P -dot- Walker -at- JCI -dot- COM> wrote-->
> ...
> OK. Here it is: There is no educational program, no test, absolutely no
> indicator whatsoever you can use to judge writing skill except the writing
> itself.
> ...
I agree with every single word that Arlen wrote. I also think
that the majority of good writers are good writers when they
graduate high school. Any writing-specific education received
beyond high school is merely honing an existing skill. If
someone can't construct a clear, grammatically correct
paragraph after 13 years of education, they'd better think
twice before deciding on writing as a career.
You (anyone) may, indeed, be a better writer than I. But it is
*not* the fact that you possess a piece of paper that says you
are a "professional," it is the quality of your writing that
makes you a better writer.
=*= Beverly Parks =*= bparks -at- huachuca-emh1 -dot- army -dot- mil =*=
=*= "Unless otherwise stated, all comments are my own. =*=
=*= I am not representing my employer in any way." =*=
