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Re: Proofreading Everything Under the Sun-- A TWs responsibility? -- P
Subject:Re: Proofreading Everything Under the Sun-- A TWs responsibility? -- P From:Ellen Hladky <ehladky -at- COSMOCOM -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 22 May 1998 11:00:28 -0400
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Why is proofreading viewed as demeaning to tech writers? Take it as a
compliment that they value your ability and knowledge. A company's
reputation can be hurt by too much sloppy work. If you can make an
impact, go for it.
If it is really the extra amount of work that you are concerned about,
then you do need your manager to prioritize your responsibilities. At
that point you might suggest that your company hire additional resources
to handle the overflow.
Ellen
-----Original Message-----
From: Shannon White [mailto:shannonwhite -at- YAHOO -dot- COM]
Sent: Friday, May 22, 1998 10:00 AM
To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
Subject: Proofreading Everything Under the Sun-- A TWs responsibility?--
P
Does everything going outside your company need to be seen by a
proofreader first? Yes! Nothing loses credibility faster than stupid
typos and incorrect "there" vs "their."
Is is fair that you have to do it not being assigned to projects? No.
Is it demeaning to you? Yes. Is it the best thing for your company?
Yes, it is.
Take your problem to management. Scream and rant at the unfairness of
the world and demand additional resources. Stand back and be
overwhelmed by the laughter.
Everyone designated as a technical writer, that I can see, is being
plagued by similar problems. You either live with it and do the best
that you can because you truly believe that your job makes a
difference, or you get out. You can take the attitude not to do
something because it is "not my responsibility," or you can say "if I
don't take accountability for doing this job right, no one will." In
the long run, I believe the 2nd attitude will pay off.
Shannon White
Business Technical Writer
State Farm Insurance Companies
shannonwhite -at- yahoo -dot- com
_________________________________________________________
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<TITLE>RE: Proofreading Everything Under the Sun-- A TWs =
responsibility?-- P</TITLE>
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<BODY>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>Why is proofreading viewed as demeaning to tech =
writers? Take it as a compliment that they value your ability and =
knowledge. A company's reputation can be hurt by too much sloppy =
work. If you can make an impact, go for it.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>If it is really the extra amount of work that you are =
concerned about, then you do need your manager to prioritize your =
responsibilities. At that point you might suggest that your =
company hire additional resources to handle the overflow.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>Does everything going outside your company need to be =
seen by a</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>proofreader first? Yes! Nothing loses =
credibility faster than stupid</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>typos and incorrect "there" vs =
"their."</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>Is is fair that you have to do it not being assigned =
to projects? No.</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> Is it demeaning to you? Yes. Is it =
the best thing for your company?</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> Yes, it is.</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>Take your problem to management. Scream and =
rant at the unfairness of</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>the world and demand additional resources. =
Stand back and be</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>overwhelmed by the laughter.</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>Everyone designated as a technical writer, that I can =
see, is being</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>plagued by similar problems. You either live =
with it and do the best</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>that you can because you truly believe that your job =
makes a</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>difference, or you get out. You can take the =
attitude not to do</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>something because it is "not my =
responsibility," or you can say "if I</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>don't take accountability for doing this job right, =
no one will." In</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>the long run, I believe the 2nd attitude will pay =
off.</FONT>
</P>
<BR>
