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.
>One of the most important messages I try to leave with my tech writing
>students is the importance of "audience awareness."
This is interesting.
Personaly, I've never found "audience awareness" to be useful. If I'm
not clearly explaining the material to begin with, then being aware of
my audience isn't going to help. I am not aware of this audience. I
simply try to communicate.
I do make certain assumptions, but they impact WHAT I'm explaining
rather than HOW I explain it. For example, I expect this audience to
care about Technical Communication. So I won't bother defining it.
Perhaps "audience awareness" is a good way to way for students to grow.
I really wouldn't know. I'm not there. However, I believe that
audience awareness, "vocabulary, content level, visuals, even type
size" cannot substitute for clear and concise writing.
David (The Man) Blyth
Technical Writer
Alsys (San Diego)
dsb -at- alsys -dot- com
Blodo Poa Maximus
-----------------
