Why Technical Writers Shouldn’t Be “Writers.”

Alan J. Porter

I’m A Writer • 20 + Years in Tech Pubs.• Magazine articles in over twenty different

publications.• Write for 8 different blogs.• Written three non-fiction books .. Two more on

the way.• Contributed to seven more.• Have a couple of novels being shopped.• Written screenplays.• And I write comics too.

I’m A Writer

How depressing! I was hired as a “tech writer.”

I came across a study on learning using a 94-page manual versus using 25 flash cards. It turns out that people learned more quickly with the flash cards covering key ideas and hints, and not step-by-step instruction. It turns out that users only want a pile of screen shots! I have to rethink all of this before I tackle this next documentation project.

Say What…???Main landing gear strutThe main gear strut consists of a main fitting and a sliding

member. The main fitting pivots from the main gear bracket, located in the main gear strut bays between the rear and false spars of each wing. Torque links fitted to the main fitting and sliding member permit shock absorbing movement of the strut while maintaining true alignment of the main wheels. The side stay assembly consists of two main members and two folding toggles hinged together and so attached between the gear strut and the side stay bracket as to provide….

It’s Not About

YOU.

Think about language from the Customer’s perspective.

• Turn the switch on.

• Power the device up.

• Press the ON switch.

It’s Not About “What”

It’s About

“How”

DA-PAM 750-30

www.ready.gov

Who Is This Guy?

Who Is This Guy?

What Should We Be?

• User Advocates

• Directors

• Designers

• Story Tellers

• And above all…

Putting The Ideas Into Practice

Putting The Ideas Into Practice

“I saw a graphic novel at (a conference) that described a non-profit walk-in computer lab and it was so easy to read and understand. I was amazed at how well the concepts within it stuck with me. “Anne Gentle – email – 3/13/09

Try the following..

Read These Books!!

Alan J. Porter

ajp@4jsgroup.com

aporter@webworks.com

alan@alanjporter.com