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.
Actually, while this is a silly and perhaps worthless exercise (yes, Cindy,
it may very well be), the technique of defining the terms that you'll using
has value, at least for me. How many times do we debate what is something
called. Just establish that in the beginning, then you don't have to worry
for the rest of the document.
-----Original Message-----
From: G. Abenhaim [mailto:g -dot- abenhaim -at- nhc -dot- com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 3:29 PM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: testing candidates
"In the beginning of the instruction, describe the item without using the
term shoelace and define your own name of it. Personally, I'd chose Ted for
the string in your left hand and Alice for the string in your right.
Then,throughout the instruction, refer to them by their name.
1. ....
2. ....
3. "With the thumb and index finger of your left hand, grasp Ted about 1
inch from the loose end (the end with the little plastic thingy, also known
as an Aglet) and with the thumb and index finger of your right hand, grasp
Alice about 1 inch from the loose end.
4. ...."
I never thought of this process- I just used various synonyms for my little
composition and it worked. But I think the interviewer liked me!
next time I will try that. My company is laying off every friday so I am on
the lookout for somethign new- I'll try that next time!
****************************************************************************
**********************************
This electronic mail message contains information that (a) is or may be
CONFIDENTIAL,
PROPRIETARY IN NATURE, OR OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY LAW FROM DISCLOSURE,
and (b) is intended only for the use of the addressee(s) named herein. If
you are not an
intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately and take the steps
necessary to
delete the message completely from your computer system.
Not Intended as a Substitute for a Writing: Notwithstanding the Uniform
Electronic Transaction
Act or any other law of similar effect, absent an express statement to the
contrary,
this e-mail message, its contents, and any attachments hereto are not
intended to represent
an offer or acceptance to enter into a contract and are not otherwise
intended to bind
this sender, barnesandnoble.com llc, barnesandnoble.com inc. or any other
person or entity.