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Subject:tech writing for liberal artists From:"Weissman, Jessica" <WeissmanJ -at- ABACUSTECH -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 12 Aug 1998 09:44:20 -0400
In my view, technical writing is one of the few things ideally suited to
true liberal artists (with analytical and problem-solving skills along with
a general education). All the things you're talking about except the
writing skills are a species of analysis combined with some people skills.
This doesn't mean that anyone can do it, but it does mean that those lovely
general transferable liberal arts skills are well put to use in tech
writing.
When computers were new, large companies looked for systems analysts and
programmers among liberal arts graduates as well as among mathematicians.
It worked out pretty well.
Jessica Weissman
proud graduate of St. John's in Annapolis (hotbed of the liberal arts)
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John David Hickey [SMTP:jdavid -at- FARABI -dot- COM]
> Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 1998 4:42 PM
> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject: The Floodgates are open (mainly 'cause the docs don't
> explain how to close them)
>
> Greetings!
>
> > every day. I get calls (as Mentoring Project manager of the local STC
> > chapter) weekly of people who "heard about tech writing" and they say
> > "well, I've got pretty good grammar skills. I know how to use Word. Can
> > you help me get a job as a technical writer? I hear it pays pretty good
>
> But doesn't it get you really mad when people imply that any old joe can
> be
> a technical writer? I've had conversations like this one with friends and
> acquaintences and it takes everything I've got not to act so horribly
> insulted. Just because I'm a pretty good pool player, doesn't mean I could
> get a job in applied physics.
>
> When I try to explain what's really involved (You gotta do research,
> interview engineers, make sense of specs, interview marketing, learn how
> to
> use the product by yourself, design some graphics, and write properly), I
> get the "Oh yah... I can do that" line. But the last time any of these
> people had their writing looked at by somebody with anything of an
> educated
> opinion on grammar, Cindy Lauper was all the rage.
>
> Ah well... I just write it off to "Ignorance is bliss". Although in these
> people's case, it may be orgasmic.
>
>
>
