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Subject:RE: Single most important tech writer skill? From:"Jane Carnall" <jane -dot- carnall -at- digitalbridges -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Mon, 13 Aug 2001 17:46:29 +0100
I wrote: <<I just looked at the results for the "What is the
single most important skill set for technical writers to have?" poll. I was
shocked! 65% of the respondents said Writing/Editing skills are the most
important.>>
-Tools skills (Frame, Robohelp, etc.) 7.20 % (63)
-Technical skills that relate to the product 9.49 % (83)
-Writing/editing skills 65.03 % (569)
-Interpersonal skills 12.57 % (110)
-Other/None of the above 5.71 % (50)
Given the options, why so shocked?
>We're technical writers and editors, but that doesn't mean that our most
>important skill is writing or editing. Although, I am inclined to agree
with
>you that analyzing, interpreting, and integrating are part of the writing
>process.
They're certainly not any other of the named options. I'm surprised the
"writing/editing skills" figure wasn't larger: it's certainly one of the
most basic skills a technical writer/editor can have. This relates to the
"usability" thread, I think: while all the skills mentioned on the list of
options, plus analyzing, interpreting, and integrating information, are all
vital to a technical writer, if you can't *write*. what good are your other
abilities: it's an element of the job that's so basic, I'd say 35% of us
never think about it.
Jane Carnall
Technical Writer, Digital Bridges, Scotland
Unless stated otherwise, these opinions are mine, and mine alone.
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