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.
If I were interviewing a tech writer and decided to give a small written
test, and got a response that, verbally or non-verbally, communicated the
message that "I didn't expect this," that
person sure wouldn't be at the top of my hiring candidate's list.
Tony Markatos responds:
What you are implying is that writing skills are a primary determinant to
one's being able to create highly usable end-user documentation. I have
never experienced such (15 years in technical communications). Skills in
end-user task analysis, documentation organizing, estimating, and
verification - these drive quality documentation efforts. Writing, editing,
grammar, and desktop publishing have a RELATIVELY minor impact.
Tony Markatos
(tonymar -at- hotmail -dot- com)
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