Re: Arrogance (Was single spacing...)

[cchris -at- toptechwriter -dot- us]

Hi, Eric

Some people on this list fail to understand that what we're discussing is
professional minutia, the same sort of details that a graphics artist
might ask in a Photoshop list regarding the use of one filter over
another. This list is a great resource because its members come from so
many disciplines that just about any writing-related question gets
answered. My original post was simply a request that those who don't see
why a topic is relevant to their jobs respect the contributions of those
who do.

As for writers obsessing on the spacing issue: if a writer in my
department was wasting hours discussing the finer points of spacing, he'd
be on my short list for replacement, too. But I doubt that's ever the case
and people making that argument are exaggerating for effect. As for your
hypothetical future employer wondering why we're beating this subject to
death, I'm sure he or she will appreciate how it demonstrates dedication
to excellence in our profession.

Finally, there are scads of rules for proper design--some of which I've
mentioned in previous postings--but none of the rules require more than a
moment's thought to do and the results are worth the effort. Granted, many
technical writers can do their job and never worry about whether the
document design or typography is correct, but, as several people have
pointed out, the job market is tight, getting tighter, and the more you
know, the more likely you are to be employed.

Regards,
Chris
___________________________________________
TopTechWriter.US
http://www.toptechwriter.us
Award-winning technical writing and illustration services.

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