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: Grammar? YES! From:Richard Frederick <Fred_Ri -at- CENTRAL -dot- PRINTRONIX -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 18 Jun 1998 10:41:18 -0700
Please let me know if I am "off base" with the following generalization,
but please don't throw things.
Most of us write grammatically correct documentation. We do that from an
implicit knowledge of grammar or a large interest in the subject. I
believe most of my knowledge comes from exposure, my father is an
attorney (I have heard ALL of the lawyer jokes ... and agree with 97% of
them), and a lot of reading.
My point is this. The fact that we don't do all of our writing with our
grammar book open does not mean that we disregard the rules. If you
write well, don't use the reference. If you do not write well, it is
arrogant to disregard the rules. The rules are there for a consistency
in communication, and have been developed and agreed upon for a long
long time.
I will get down off of my soap box now.
Sincerely,
Richard
Senior Technical Writer
Printronix Inc.
Irvine, CA