Re: "They don't need no stinkin' documentation..."

[SIANNON -at- VISUS -dot- JNJ -dot- com]

Am I the only one noticing that y'all are not disagreeing?

Andrew Plato says: 
     'Content takes priority to design (function before form)'

Bruce Byfield says: 
     'Yes, content takes priority; yet design is important, as it will 
affect audience response.'

Andrew Plato later reiterates: 
     'Yes, design is important, but content takes priority.'

You're actually arguing non-conflicting points: Andrew is arguing that 
content takes priority [point 1], and Bruce is arguing that design is 
important [point 2].  These points are not mutually exclusive, as you both 
have agreed in your posts.

The heat that sets fire to the strawman seems to be that Point 1 proponents 
infer that Point 2 proponents are claiming content does not take priority, 
while Point 2 proponents infer that Point 1 proponents are claiming design 
is unimportant. In both cases, the inference is wrong, and a result of 
faulty logic.


So, does the continuation of the banter imply that it is actually a 
thinly-disguised plot for imposing an exercise program on those needing to 
tone their argumentation muscles? (who can be most easily identified by the 
abusive tones their arguments inevitably display)  :)

...actually, that brings up a question I have been curious about:  while it 
is established (at least academically) that expository writing and 
argumentative writing are different animals, I'm curious whether you have 
found that training in the subjects of logic, propaganda and debate have 
improved the quality of your technical writing.  If so, how?  If not, why?

In my case, I believe it has helped. By playing "devil's advocate" with my 
docs, and arguing with the proof of function they are supposed to provide 
(these are primarily design docs and testing docs, not user docs), I am 
able to identify gaps faster (I am a lone tech writer with no established 
review process in my department, so I must catch everything myself). I have 
found the skills even more useful in dealing with initially recalcitrant 
SMEs.

What have you found?


Shauna Iannone




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