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Subject:Re: Trends in Tech Comm From:Tony Chung <tonyc -at- tonychung -dot- ca> To:"Steve Janoff (non-Celgene)" <sjanoff -at- celgene -dot- com> Date:Wed, 1 Feb 2012 23:41:39 -0800
Steve,
Thanks for the link. I agree that occasionally you catch something
that just draws you in. Most tech writing ventures on the dry, lest it
be mistaken for that "other" type of writing, (marketing).
Although, some of the more avant garde companies could develop a house
style that is evocative, sense-based, casual, and yet still technical.
All the writers would have to agree on that standard, and it would
need meticulous editing.
When working with other writers, I had a hard time being technical and
minimalist when my coworker runneth offeth at the mouth. He used
multiple words to say the same thing, and hardly ever reused
structures. That was just laziness that had nothing to do with trying
to create great writing.
On the other hand, I had trouble reading through one of the
recommended books on single sourcing. The text lacked any meat from
the start, and I don't know if it ever improved; I lost interest mid
chapter.
So I still think there is an art to what we do, to plan around the automation.
Great discussion.
-Tony
On 2012-02-01, at 11:13 PM, "Steve Janoff (non-Celgene)"
<sjanoff -at- celgene -dot- com> wrote:
> Have at it!
>
>http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Volkswagen-Alive-Step---Step/dp/1566913101/
>
> Still in print, very much alive, 19th edition (apparently latest) from 2001. I actually came across this on Amazon before the post, while looking for something else.
>
> If you do write that paper, hope you can share it with us... after you get your A. :)
>
> I'll have to break down and order this book myself, just for its style and its classic status.
>
> *This* is what I love about writing.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: On Behalf Of Phil Snow Leopard
> Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 10:44 PM
> To: techwrl (techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com)
> Subject: Re: Trends in Tech Comm
>
>
> I'd love to compare how he did such a great job with the theories they teach us on my MA tech comm course. I certainly agree that a large part of the confidence his book instilled in me was down to his style.
>
> Interesting thought I'll have to look into further. Thanks for reminding me of that excellent manual!
>
>
>> Steve Janoff wrote
>> ...there was a thread on good tech writing of old, and I remember the book by John Muir was mentioned, on "Keeping Your Volkswagen Alive." I never read it, merely perused it, but I know what a classic it was. You can't write that kind of work anymore, at least not as a tech writer -- and maybe you never could, unless you went to the after market.
>
>
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