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Subject:The repeated/quoted text in your message From:"MMdeaton" <mmdeaton -at- mmdeaton -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 10 Apr 2001 10:55:40 -0700
In response to Cindy Kight:
I would like to meet a technical writer who is doing everything right and
doesn't know it. In my too many years of experience, it just does not
happen. Technical writers who know to use active voice got writing training
somewhere, and they know the difference between active voice and passive
voice. They may have learned it in school. They may have learned it in
college. Or they may have learned it from an editor.
I find it easier to teach a good writer about computers or software than to
teach a technically savvy person about writing.
And to John Gilger, I think this thread is not about nits, but about whether
people in our
so-called profession know the fundamental tool they work with - the English
language.
> > > <Lots of artists create amazing art without formal training. We are
not
> > > creating art. We are writing technical documentation. The rules are
> > > different.>
> > >
> > > I agree. Actually, this was just meant to be a comment on the idea
that
> > > someone couldn't compose music without a formal knowledge of music
theory.
> > >
> > >
> > > However, some writers naturally write great technical documentation
> > without
> > > knowing that they're using active voice instead of passive voice (or
other
> > > generally-accepted rules). An editor might be able do the same but
would
> > > have a limited ability to educate writers so they could improve.
However,
> > a
> > > great editor would know the rules and be able to communicate what they
are
> > > and how they work.
> > >
> > > Cindy Kight
> > >
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