[stylist] The Case for Technical Writing

[LoriStay at aol.com]

>From Slate & Style
Volume 8, #1
January 1990

The Case For Technical Writing
    Lori Stayer

Recently, a prospective member of the Writers' Division wrote seeking a 
magic bullet to make money with his writing.   I wish I had one!   One of the 
instructions he gave was that I should not tell him to go into technical 
writing because he was not interested.

Yet two weeks ago, I sat in my dentist's office and listened to his 
receptionist complain that she had a computer at home sitting on the shelf because 
the manual was too difficult to understand.   We have a manual at home for 
our printer.   I dread it each time there's a problem, because the manual is 
poorly set up, and confusingly presented.   

It seems there is a definitel breakdown in communications here, and I'm not 
referring to the words, "Electronic Error" that recently flashed across our 
printer's screen.   [Editor's note:   Today's printers are much easier to 
use.]

People who write are generally not computer techs, and computer techs seem 
to have a problem expressing themselves in plain language.

The receptionist also told me she teaches boating safety to children, and 
that she has written her own manual which is both simpler to understand than 
the adult manual and more stringent.   It's based on her experience.   
Adults often take her course along with their children because they can't pass 
the safety test by reading the adult manual.

Why should "adult" be synonymous with "confusing"?

I once met a woman in the library who said when she wants to learn a new 
subject, she goes first to the children's section:   These books are written 
well, are easy to understand, and go directly to the basics.

Basic technical writing for adults is a field that currently leaves much 
room for improvement.   But this means there is also room for growth and an 
opportunity for those of us with a basic knowledge in any field that requires 
a manual.

Some possibilities present themselves:   Computers, of course.   We need a 
manual to explain the manual.   How about microwave coooking? The 
possibilities are usually explained in the books I buy, but I've yet to see one that 
will tell me I can't sterilize my panties without having the microwave catch 
fire (as one woman found out), or that no matter what the promises, 
microwave brownies would have tasted better baked conventionally.

What about baby care?   We have Dr. Spock, but that thick book is daunting 
(and now out of date).   Give me a one hundred page manual that explains 
things like:   Too much vitamin C gives your baby the runs, or once you have 
those cute bundles, you haven't got much time for yourself.   and trying to 
write the great American novel while nursing a baby is an exercise in 
futility.

Seriously, technical writing is a field that warrants a second look for 
those who wish to make writing their career, but who also wish to make a living 
at it.   Rejecting it out of hand as my recent correspondent did will be a 
great loss, not only for you, but for the rest of the muddled public, and 
for your pocket books.

[Note:   Some manuals I'd like to see--DVR operation.   Remote controls for 
just about anything.   Mp3 players!   I sure wish cassette players were 
still popular.   I'm having to learn a microcassette recorder by trial and 
error.   And I still don't know everything my computer will do!]




**************
Shop Dell’s full line of Laptops now starting at $349! 
(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221881320x1201406166/aol?redir=http:%2F%2
Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B215218036%3B37264217%3Bz)