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Subject:Re: Human Interest From:David Demyan <dbdemyan -at- WORLDNET -dot- ATT -dot- NET> Date:Sat, 21 Jun 1997 11:58:57 -0400
Michael Clark wrote:
> [snip]
> 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?
[snip]
Michael,
I noticed some other responses to the effect: "Are you sure you want to
work for this firm?" While you may want to question that as well, I'll
offer you a possible explanation. I think human interest, especially in
a press release but also in user documentation, would have to do
with answering the question: "How does this product work for
ME? (potential buyer)." Or: "How do real-life users interact
with this product?" Perhaps the employer is trying to suggest (with
misleading terminology) that your samples deal strictly with the
mechanical
aspects of the product or whatever. Start by asking yourself: Why would
people want to use the product? How can I convey the importance of the
product to people? How are people motivated to buy/use/recommend
the product?
This all implies the employer is looking for a technical writer with an
eye
toward marketing the product, or at least dealing with the "human side"
of the business they are in.
Good luck,
Dave.
--
......................................................................
David B. Demyan Mendem Concord, Inc.
Toll Free: (888) 753-8500 Technical Writers
FAX: (908) 756-0129 Document Conversions
dbd -at- mendem -dot- com http://www.mendem.com
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