Importance of Writing Skills

[Michael Andrew Uhl <uhl -dot- mike -at- epa -dot- gov>]

I agree that documentation projects do not commonly "fall apart" as a
consequence of someone's poor writing skills. However, when a
professional who claims to be a writer--or "communicator"--writes
poorly, their authority in that role is undermined. They lose the
respect of their peers and very likely their superiors, and the work
environment erodes. That I can write well is the very foundation of my
role; it is assumed by my colleagues. Furthermore, because I am a
"technical" writer, not a poet, novelist, or other kind of writer, my
colleagues also work with me on the assumption I have both an interest
and aptitude for learning about technical and scientific subjects. We go
from there. It becomes a question of degree and intensity: how
passionate am I about my work and profession? How much value do I bring
to the group?

I enjoy my work here in the Scientific Visualization Center primarily
because the expectations my coleagues have of me are very high. They are
well educated specialists--many have Ph.Ds.--who strive to stay at the
leading edge of their specialties, and they expect me to be like them. I
sure do enjoy trying!  ;-)

Cheers.

-Mike

-- 
Michael Andrew Uhl (mailto:uhl -dot- mike -at- epa -dot- gov)
Lockheed Martin - U.S. EPA Scientific Visualization Center
Ph. (office) 919.541.4283; 919.541.3716 (lab)
P.O. Box 14365  Research Triangle Park, NC 27709