Dorothy Cady

Presented 5 May 2007 at the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, Inc. (OWFI)

Oklahoma Centennial Conference, Oklahoma City, OK.

http://www.dorothycady.com

Session Topic Outline

Technical Writing Defined

Why Be a Technical Writer

Survey: Do You Have What it Takes to Be a Technical Writer?

Typical Requirements

What You Need to Become a Technical Writer

It Also Helps if You . . .

Learn Your Area of Expertise

How to Get Started

Online Resource Guide and Suggested Reading

Handouts Available to Download after Conference: http://dcadyonline.blogspot.com

Questions & Answers

Do You Have What it Takes to Be a Technical Writer?*

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose either "Agree" or "Disagree" by circling your choice for each of the questions in this survey. When done, add up the total number of Agree and Disagree choices, giving yourself one point for each "Agree" that you chose, and one for each “Disagree” you choose. Put the totals in the separate spaces provided at the end. Afterwards, you’ll compare your scores to the Scoring Results provided at the end of this quiz. (Don’t look ahead. J )

Question 1

You identify with and understand the feelings, motives, and situations of others. You can put yourself in other's shoes and understand the world from their perspective.

Agree Disagree

Question 2

You can break down a complex process or item into its component parts and accurately describe how each part works, and do it in a way that an eighth grade person could understand.

Agree Disagree

Question 3

You can take a collection of facts and string them into the logical order in which they go.

Agree Disagree

Question 4

Most of the time, when you talk to other people (talking to yourself does not count), they understand what you say and the questions you ask without you having to explain your explanation.

Agree Disagree

Question 5

You have a degree in a specific scientific or technical area, or you have a degree related to communication (English literature, languages, journalism, etc.), or you have a degree in a broader area, such as psychology, OR you have several years of experience in any of those related areas, OR you have both a degree and experience.

Agree Disagree

Question 6

You have specialized knowledge of a particular industry: health, finance, worm farming, etc.

Agree Disagree

Question 7

You have the ability to write grammatically correct and logically constructed sentences.

Agree Disagree

Question 8

You can write simple, elegant English in a way that is easily understood by your readers.

Agree Disagree

Question 9

Whenever an opportunity to learn something new presents itself, you can't help but take advantage of that opportunity. In other words, you like to read about, do, and learn new things, as well as keep up with what you already know.

Agree Disagree

Question 10

You get along with just about everyone you meet, and most people feel comfortable enough around you to talk openly with you.

Agree Disagree

Question 11

You can thrive on stress, survive in lonely rooms for long hours, remain composed, and meet deadlines.

Agree Disagree

Question 12

Others trust you and consider you to be ethical and professional, and you'd rather poke out your right eye than betray the trust and belief that others have in you.

Agree Disagree

Question 13

You are organized, even if your desk looks quite the opposite, and you always strive for quality, but you are not a perfectionist at the expense of deadlines and your customers' real-world needs.

Agree Disagree

Question 14

You recognize your abilities or limitations when it comes to aesthetic appreciation, and do the best you can at design of the final product, even if that means you have to bring in an expert in that area to make up for your shortcomings.

Agree Disagree

Question 15

You understand that you will never get famous as a technical writer, and you are okay with that because you recognize that celebrity isn't the goal a technical writer seeks.

Agree Disagree

Question 16

You own a good pair of shoes and are willing to wear them out to chase down the information you need to be successful with each technical writing assignment you undertake.

Agree Disagree

Question 17

You have a good supply of coffee (or any other beverage/food item that keeps you going), a comfortable chair, a reliable comuter system with a high-quality printer, and a sense of humor (that other people get).

Agree Disagree

____________ _____________

Total Agree Total Disagree

Put total counts for each "Agree" and "Disagree" on the lines provided above. Then, compare the total number of "Agree" answers 9ignore the "disagree" total) to the following scale to determine whether or not you have the right stuff to be a technical writer.

SCORING RESULTS

Compare your total points in the “Agree” column to the following. Don’t worry about the points you get in the “Disagree” column. Those are just personality traits you’ll have to work on converting to “Agree” if you are serious about being a successful technical writer.

If you scored:

12-17 points - You are or have potential to be an excellent technical writer. Others will be proud to know you.
6-11 points - You should become a technical writer if you aren't already, and although it won't be smooth sailing, your ship will come in.
0-5 points - You just need to work on the areas presented in this survey and take it again when you can get 6 or more points, then you'll be ready to be a technical writer.

This survey created from an online article in the HCi Journal titled, "So you want to be a technical writer?" To view the article for yourself, go to the following Web address:

http://www.hci.com.au/hcisite2/journal/So%20you%20want%20to%20be%20a%20technical%20writer.htm