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.
"I disagree. Good decisions about documents come from a profound
understanding of the subject matter. You could know every writing and
communication theory in the entire universe, but if you don't understand
the content of a document, you'll never, ever be able to defend your
decisions with any degree of credibility. Theory is not a replacement for
practical application. It can help, but its never a replacement."
Have another look at what I wrote. I didn't say that theory is a replacement
for practical application, or that understanding the content of a document
was optional. I did say that one of the most valuable qualities in a writer
is the ability to defend a writing decision, and that a person can't do so
without understanding the theory behind the practical application.
All the technical knowledge in the universe, while impressive on a CV, won't
make a person a good tech writer if they don't know (from study or
experience or divine intervantion) how to write. Both are important -- but
let's not argue which is more important, unless we're also going to argue
which side of a dollar bill we could safely dispose of. :)
