Re: PHD in Tech writing

Subject: Re: PHD in Tech writing
From: Beth Agnew <Beth -dot- Agnew -at- senecac -dot- on -dot- ca>
To: TECHWR-L <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 00:15:20 -0400

Well, of course that is just your opinion. Knowing the "why" behind what you're doing with the material is indeed valuable and should not be so quickly dismissed. We have numerous examples of people who knew content but not technique -- that's why we moved away from SMEs (computer engineers, for example) writing technical documentation in the first place. Although they had initmate in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, they did not know how to deliver that information in readable fashion. Hence the pervasisve belief that "technical documentation is hard to understand".

I persist in stating that technical communication is not a one/zero black/white profession where you must be X or you cannot succeed. What a narrow, uninspiring, meager business that would be!

--Beth

"Andrea Brundt" wrote ...

I think I agree with Chuck. One of the most valuable qualities in a writer is the ability to not just make a good writing decision, but to defend that decision to an editor, a coworker or a manager. This ability can come only from an understanding of the theory that underpins the practical applicationof writing.

Andrew Plato wrote:

No. Good decisions about documents come from a profound understanding of the
subject matter. ... Theory is not a replacement for practical application. It can help, but its
never a replacement. ...

And as we all know, the only good writer is a writer who knows the subject
matter.
Andrew Plato

--
Beth Agnew
Professor, Technical Communication
Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology
Toronto, ON 416.491.5050 x3133
http://www.agnewcom.com

Andrew Plato wrote:


--
Beth Agnew
Professor, Technical Communication
Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology
Toronto, ON 416.491.5050 x3133
http://www.agnewcom.com






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Re: PHD in Tech writing: From: Andrew Plato

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