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Subject:Re: Pencil Test for Technical Writers From:"Glanbrok, Slayer of Bluntskulls" <conehead -at- OVERTHE -dot- NET> Date:Sat, 10 Aug 1996 20:29:13 -0400
Michael Wing wrote at length about a "pencil test" for tech writer applicants. I for one applaud this idea. The number of unskilled people (at least around Washington D.C.) who apply for, and get hired into, tech writer positions is astonishing.
Of course, the corollary of the theorem is that manageroids must come to understand that standards exist for most aspects of tech writing, and that the test would reveal each candidate's strengths and weaknesses.
Compounding the problem of incompetent tech writers is the incompetent publications manager, who is himself or herself hired by a clueless manager. So, IMO, Mr. Wing's suggestion is a good one, and should be extended to line managers, and should be accompanied by an orientation for managers who don't know from beans about tech writing.
How to accomplish all of this escapes me, of course ...
conehead -at- overthe -dot- net
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