Re[2]: Test to select competant Communicators

[Vince Putman <PUTMV -at- MAIL -dot- SYNTRON -dot- COM>]

     In the mist of such astute writers such as the two named below, I almost
     hesitate to say BULL.  But there, I said it and here's why:

     Robert Plamondon <robert -at- PLAMONDON -dot- COM> wrote:

     "Describe your toaster to an audience of engineers."

     Surely you have overlooked the key words "audience of engineers".  I can
     not believe you earn a living in this profession without knowing what to do
     when given such explicit instructions.  Therefore, with this kind of
     insight and your knowledge of a toaster, why is it an insult to write the
     obviously needed information?  Could it be because you do not have a
     technical background to draw from?  Hence the difference between Technical
     Writers and Writers?  Very very few can do both well.  None can do it in 20
     minutes.

     If Robert had said an "audience of housekeepers" what would you write?

     Vince Putman in Houston   | Most people think new ideas are just
     PutmV -at- mail -dot- syntron -dot- com    |    a criticism of the old ways!!
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     Subject: Re: Test to select competant Communicators Author:  Ray Burgess
     <rburgess -at- TSIB -dot- NL> at INTERNET_MAIL Date:    3/2/95 10:16 AM


     >At 10:00 PM 3/2/95 +1100, Geoffrey Marnell wrote:
     >Suppose that there is no accreditation process to help you select a
     >technical writer for a new project. Suppose, too, that you want to >create
     a simple test
     >to help you select the best technical writer from those who apply to your
     >advertisement seeking a technical writer to, let us say, create a paper
     >user guide to some new accounting software. Suppose, further, that there
     >is some possibility that this writer may be asked by your client to create
     >on-line
     >documentation for that same software. What would you include in such a
     >test to help you select the perfect writer?
     >
     At 3:00 PM (CET) 2/3/95 Ray Burgess wrote:

     I agree with Ron Millar. It is not only insulting its a waste of time. I
     was once asked to produce a short description of how a water heater worked.
     I was shown the heater in the kitchen of an expensive London office and
     asked to provide the desription in 20 minutes. This I did. The comments
     were that it was a bit basic and therefore not very good; which was true. I
     had told them that 20 minutes earlier. What writer produces the finite work
     in 20 minutes. Since then I have employed many Technical Authors and made
     my decision on previous work and recommendation. For new writers you just
     look for a logical and enquiring mind; then sit back and grit your teeth.
     Obviously the suitable academic qualifications are necessary.

     Thank God they don't ask lumber jacks to demonstrate their work. We'd be up
     to ar..s'. in even more paper. Which reminds me, its time to throw another
     Author on the fire.

     Ray Burgess
     Past President. Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators. In UK
     Managing Director TSIB.BV. Holland