RE: Importance of Technical Writing

["Halter, Meg" <HalterMC -at- navair -dot- navy -dot- mil>]

	Sona Meta asks --
> > 
> > Hello friends,
> > Please do forgive me if I am starting a discussion on the often beaten
> > topic, but  I cannot resist myself. I need your help. I want to know how
> > do I try and explain the importance of the work I do to a group of
> > non-receptive developers who think of TWs as 'glorified typists'. I have
> > been in this profession for sometime now and I feel that quiet a few
> > developers don't know much about this profession and therefore don't
> > give much importance to it. I thought of giving a presentation to the
> > developers in my office, telling them about TW  in general. Any
> > ideas?????? Do you think this will be a good start? 
> 
> 
Seems to me that the way to convince techies that you, the TW, are a useful
member of the team is to SHOW them. In my experience, TELLING them that TW
is useful is counterproductive. 

Find substantive TW work you can do IN ADDITION to your current work. Do
your current work quickly, then get on to the substantive work that you have
taken on. Ask questions, but do alot of your own thinking and background
reading. Demonstrating that you are making connections yourself and
completing these other tasks quickly and well will do more to earn respect
for you and the field than any number of presentations.

My 2 cents.

-- Meg