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Subject:Re: Tech Writers that can't write a Resume From:TRACY BOYINGTON <trlyboyi -at- GENESIS -dot- ODVTE -dot- STATE -dot- OK -dot- US> Date:Fri, 1 Dec 1995 10:26:20 +0000
> Guy McDonald's message - modified by my changes in parens:
> This subject is a bit ridiculous. Consider this view...... I am tasked by a
> client to create, develop, and implement a (software) program with his
> (development) department.
> I've bid the job at $800,000, was awarded the contract, then march off to
> assemble my team of (system designers, coders, and testers).
> Now, consider this..... as Principal Consultant for my company, and Sr.
> (Programmer), I cannot write my own (documentation)!
> (snip)
> If you can not write your own (documentation), and call yourself a
> (professional).... well maybe that's why America is still slipping
> comparatively to the world in education.
Sanford, if I understand you correctly, you're saying that if technical
writers should be able to write resumes, then programmers should
be able to write documentation. I have to disagree. You're talking
about two entirely different types of expertise now.
Professional programmers/software developers/system designers/coders
etc. are *not* automatically good writers. You can be an excellent
programmer and still not be much of a writer, whether it's documentation
or a resume. But if I call myself a professional *writer* I should be
able to write a resume.
____________________________________________
Tracy Boyington
Technical Communication Specialist
Oklahoma Department of Vocational & Technical Ed.
Stillwater, Oklahoma
