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:Writers vs. engineers From:geoff-h -at- MTL -dot- FERIC -dot- CA Date:Fri, 11 Oct 1996 08:50:47 -0500
Not to be the cold blanket, but two simple syllogisms might
shed some light on this debate:
Engineers and techwhirlers are people; some people write
well and some don't; therefore, some engineers and some
techwhirlers write well and some don't.
Engineers and techwhirlers are people; some people can
learn to improve their writing and some (seemingly) can't
or won't; therefore, some engineers and techwhirlers won't
get any better at writing and some will.
Pretty much says it all, don't you think? Now if you want
to hear the technical editor's syllogism for technical
writers... <g, d & r> [Just kidding... haven't tried to
come up with one yet. Any takers?]
--Geoff Hart @8^{)} geoff-h -at- mtl -dot- feric -dot- ca
Disclaimer: Speaking for myself, not FERIC.
