Re: Technical writing in a higher ed environment

[Al Geist <al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com>]

After working at writing gigs for nearly 30 years, some of it as a 
business reporter, some as a video producer, but most as a technical 
writer, I can say that the AP style guide is a good reference.  So is 
the Chicago Manual of Style, Microsoft's style guide, etc.   I have 
never found any of them to get in the way of good, solid communication, 
and isn't that the main goal of a technical writer.   If you think a 
style guide constricts you in that purpose, then maybe the problem is 
not with the guide.  I've known a lot of writers and I have yet to find 
a good one that couldn't do their job because they were "forced" to use 
a style guide they found inadequate.  They just did what they were paid 
to do....write clearly and satisfy the people who sign the paycheck, or 
they moved on.

Wendy Cunningham wrote: