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:Re: Idiot Audience From:Chris Hamilton <chamilton -at- GR -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 17 Nov 1997 11:11:08 -0600
Marilynne Smith wrote:
>
> I agree with Dave. My pride won't let me do it! I cannot read something
> when the publisher and author think I'm an idiot.
I _am_ an idiot, so I have no problem buying one of those books.
That having been said, one of the earlier posts wrote about a customer
response to manuals written on an eighth-grade level. The response was
negative, but the reason may have had to do more with pride than with
what was actually in the manuals.
If you can clearly explain what's going on write to an eighth grade
level, you're doing a good job. I've got a Bachelor's degree, which
means, in theory, I should be able to read at 16th grade level. And I
can. But I don't enjoy it. I'd rather read the same material written on
an eighth grade level. It's easier and more efficient for me.
It's not necessarily the choice of words, but the tone you set in using
them. If you give the impression that you're patronizing the reader,
you're hosed no matter what grade level you write on.
Chris
--
Chris Hamilton, Senior Technical Writer
Greenbrier & Russel
847.330.4146 http://www.gr.com
chamilton -at- gr -dot- com
-------------------------
The opinions listed in this message are mine. No one claimed them after
30 days, so I get to keep them. They do not reflect the views of
Greenbrier & Russel, Inc.
