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:Human Interest From:Michael Clark <mclark -at- MTU -dot- EDU> Date:Fri, 20 Jun 1997 13:14:04 -0400
G'Day folks,
In an interview last month for a permanent, full-time tech writing
position, I wrote a sample press release and then a home work assignment
(brief documentation on a little program). Today they responded that
they are interested in me, but that the press release and documentation
had little to no "human interest," which is what they were looking for.
They invited me to give it another crack, which I accepted, but I feel
totally unprepared for a second dance because I don't know what "human
interest" means in the context of documentation, or what information is
appropriate for a press release other than bare facts. Both assignments
are purposely vague, which irritates me because I see tech writing
assignments as exactly the opposite, but I want the job, so I wanna try.
So my question is, how do I add human interest to my writing style when
it comes to the press release and the documentation?
Thanks,
Mike
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
