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.
Subject:Re: technical Writing Skills From:Beverly Parks <bparks -at- HUACHUCA-EMH1 -dot- ARMY -dot- MIL> Date:Mon, 30 Jan 1995 09:33:01 MST
> From: Richard Lippincott <rlippinc -at- BEV -dot- ETN -dot- COM>
> <snip>
> Many times, we'd reach a point where the USAF types would say "That
instruction
> isn't clear." There'd be a long, dead silence as everyone pondered better
> wording, while a clear solution seemed obvious to me. So, I'd pipe up with
"How
> about we say........" Heads would nod, pens would scribble. The writing skill,
> not the technical skill, had come through again.
Yes, yes! Been there; done that. Or sometimes, they'd all be
tossing around ideas for making it clearer, but not getting
anywhere. Or making it worse and thinking it was better. I'd
wait for a polite pause in the brainstorming, then offer my "How
about..." option. Same result: nodding heads, scribbling pens,
sounds of "Good one!" or "Yes, that's it."
Kind of funny to watch (and experience).
=*= Beverly Parks =*= bparks -at- huachuca-emh1 -dot- army -dot- mil =*=
=*= "Unless otherwise stated, all comments are my own. =*=
=*= I am not representing my employer in any way." =*=
