Re: Re[3]: Test to select competant Communicators

Subject: Re: Re[3]: Test to select competant Communicators
From: Ray Burgess <rburgess -at- TSIB -dot- NL>
Date: Sun, 5 Mar 1995 08:11:00 GMT+0100

Hi Vince

Have put Bull on fire because I could not get it in the toaster. Will advise
of results. In the meantime I suggest the following question for
consideration as a test to find all the things we like to see in a Technical
Author; a sense of humor.

The question is:

Describe the history of the Papacy from its origins to the present day.
Concentrating especially, but not exclusively, on its social, political,
economic, religious, and philosophical impact on Europe, Asia, America,
and Africa. Be brief, concise, and specific.

What do you think?

Ray Burgess

---------------Reply separator---------------------

>> In the mist of such astute writers such as the two named below, I almost
>> hesitate to say BULL. But there, I said it and here's why:
>>
>> Robert Plamondon <robert -at- PLAMONDON -dot- COM> wrote:
>>
>> "Describe your toaster to an audience of engineers."
>>
>> Surely you have overlooked the key words "audience of engineers". I can
>> not believe you earn a living in this profession without knowing what
to do
>> when given such explicit instructions. Therefore, with this kind of
>> insight and your knowledge of a toaster, why is it an insult to write the
>> obviously needed information? Could it be because you do not have a
>> technical background to draw from? Hence the difference between
Technical
>> Writers and Writers? Very very few can do both well. None can do it
in 20
>> minutes.
>>
>> If Robert had said an "audience of housekeepers" what would you write?
>>
>> Vince Putman in Houston | Most people think new ideas are just
>> PutmV -at- mail -dot- syntron -dot- com | a criticism of the old ways!!
>> 713-647-7223 FAX 579-7709 | Eschew Gratuitous Obfuscation
>>
>>
>> __________________________ Reply Separator ____________________________
>>
>>
>> Subject: Re: Test to select competant Communicators Author: Ray Burgess
>> <rburgess -at- TSIB -dot- NL> at INTERNET_MAIL Date: 3/2/95 10:16 AM
>>
>>
>> >At 10:00 PM 3/2/95 +1100, Geoffrey Marnell wrote:
>> >Suppose that there is no accreditation process to help you select a
>> >technical writer for a new project. Suppose, too, that you want to
>create
>> a simple test
>> >to help you select the best technical writer from those who apply to
your
>> >advertisement seeking a technical writer to, let us say, create a paper
>> >user guide to some new accounting software. Suppose, further, that there
>> >is some possibility that this writer may be asked by your client to
create
>> >on-line
>> >documentation for that same software. What would you include in such a
>> >test to help you select the perfect writer?
>> >
>> At 3:00 PM (CET) 2/3/95 Ray Burgess wrote:
>>
>> I agree with Ron Millar. It is not only insulting its a waste of time. I
>> was once asked to produce a short description of how a water heater
worked.
>> I was shown the heater in the kitchen of an expensive London office and
>> asked to provide the desription in 20 minutes. This I did. The comments
>> were that it was a bit basic and therefore not very good; which was
true. I
>> had told them that 20 minutes earlier. What writer produces the
finite work
>> in 20 minutes. Since then I have employed many Technical Authors and made
>> my decision on previous work and recommendation. For new writers you just
>> look for a logical and enquiring mind; then sit back and grit your teeth.
>> Obviously the suitable academic qualifications are necessary.
>>
>> Thank God they don't ask lumber jacks to demonstrate their work. We'd
be up
>> to ar..s'. in even more paper. Which reminds me, its time to throw
another
>> Author on the fire.
>>
>> Ray Burgess
>> Past President. Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators.
In UK
>> Managing Director TSIB.BV. Holland
>>
>>

Ray Burgess.


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