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Subject:Advice to students (was Case Study) From:"Lydia Wong" <lydiaw -at- fpoint -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 20 Jun 2003 09:45:50 -0400
Folks,
Eric has a nice reminder note he sends to the list when we get off track.
Maybe we need something similar to respond to students who post very broad
questions to the list. Here's my take:
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This list is for professional technical communicators and students of
technical communication to share ideas and exchange information.
If you are a student using this list, please keep in mind the following:
- The technical communicators on this list participate *in addition to*
their other duties, not as a part of them. Do not expect them to always
respond promptly, or to respond at all, to requests for information.
- Do not use this list as a place for others to do your homework for you. Do
your research before you post to the list. If you do not know how to
research for information about technical writing, here are some basic steps:
1. Search the archives for the TechWr-L listserv and other lists that might
be pertinent to your topic. The archives for TechWr-L are at
www.raycomm.com.
2. Search the internet for other information. Many consultants, professional
groups, conference presenters, etc. post white papers, proceedings, or other
relevant material.
3. Go to your library (remember that building that holds books, journals,
etc.?) If you do not know how to search periodical indices, online catalogs,
etc. ask the librarian to help you. That's his/her job, and it's your job to
find out how to use the library.
4. Attend local STC chapter meetings, conferences, etc. if you can do so.
They can provide a lot of information and valuable contacts.
- Do post to the list when you have specific questions. An example might be
if you've researched a particular question such as single-sourcing using
databases, and you want to talk with a few people who have done this. You
could post and briefly summarize your research, and say you need to ask 4-5
people questions about their experiences, which will take about 15 minutes
of their time, can anyone help? You will get a better response from a
well-researched, specific question than from general questions that sound
like you are asking others to do your work for you.
- Do post to the list when you are conducting a survey, but keep in mind you
might not get a huge response due to the first point above (we're all
busy!). Be sure though that the survey is relatively short, clear, and of
course, on the topic of technical communication. If you are doing a survey,
consider using a survey site such as www.surveymonkey.com to post the
survey, and just let the list know it's there if people have time to
complete it.
- The list contains many people who are SMEs. Start practicing now how to
work with others to get the information you need (one of the most valuable
skills a technical communicator can have). This requires tact, research,
intelligent questions, specificity, and more. Keep that in mind when you
post, and remember thousands of technical communicators are going to see
(and possibly remember!) your post.
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