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Some are arguing that exercises like writing instructions
for tying shoe laces are unrealistic, too simplistic, etc.
I agree with those who pointed out that they serve
at least one valuable purpose: forcing the writer
to reexamine his/her assumptions and previous
knowledge of the subject matter.
In my program, the professor had us write instructions
for making peanut butter sandwiches. When we had
finished, she brought in a loaf of bread, a knife, and
some peanut butter and proceeded to follow each
person's instructions to the letter, with highly amusing
and highly instructive results.
We also did instructions for setting a mousetrap (complete
with coming up with names for all parts, etc.)
That way we were a little more prepared than we otherwise
would have been when she divided us into teams, handed
each team a computer disk, and said "Here's a piece of software;
write a manual for it."
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| Connie E. Winch | Baltimore billboard:|
| Technical Writer | Death |
| Macola, Inc. | Taxes |
| cew -at- macola -dot- usa -dot- com | Cal Ripken, Jr. |
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