Technical Writing Notes

This class was different than what I expected. I came into the class thinking I could write memos and documents since this was my job for more years then I want to mention. Each week I found out there was room for improvement. When I look back over the first memos and compare them to the recent work there is a noticeable difference. The detail and clarity of the message has improved. I can include more information in fewer words. I am sure there will be fewer follow up questions on future work related memos.

Instead of focusing on writing projects targeted at useless tasks we wrote documents with meaning. Having a project that lasts for weeks with required periodic updates is typical of workplace writing. Having to do a major project with other team members happens often. Working with a great group that is eager and open to constructive feedback, like I had, is rare.

Learning about target audience, rhetoric, and structure have helped improved my ability to communicate with others. The biggest problem I had was email communication. The things learned applying these concepts writing memos can be applied to email writing with the same effective results.

Blogging was the most difficult part of the class. Writing something to post for all to read was a little intimidating at first. I found it harder to write my post after reading the posting of others. I wanted to make sure my posting was as good as the post of others in the class, so the pressure was on. More pressure was added making sure I stayed original while the posting of others was in the back of my mind.

I feel I the class was worth the time, money, and effort. With the class experience being so different than my expectations I ended up learning more than I thought possible.

Publishing

Many thanks to Tom Sumner for an informative introduction to publishing. Learning about the many levels of editors that screen the books before they get considered for actual printing amazed me. The job of editing requires reading many bad books. As a student interested in a subject I find text books boring at times. I can only imagine an editor needing to read and correct things in a book when they have no interest in the subject.

As an editor there is more work to do than just making sure the words are written well. Designing book jackets, writing cover copy, and directing complete rewriting takes a special talent. An editor needs to be a graphic artist, a critic, write copy, and handle writer's egos and different personalities.

Each of the guest speakers has had something in common. As writers we need to be informative, concise, and interesting. Selling books, old lamps, or news it still comes down to being able to put into words ideas to capture people's eye by standing out from the crowd.

Persausion Over Done

The Persuaders was a little alarming. I noticed the outcomes of two marketing plans. One worked and one failed. Marketers have so much information on people that they can target their message down to a single person. By developing multiple messages and going to each person they were able to affect the outcome of a primary election in Ohio. The mass market approach used for Song Airline failed.

Advertising is big business. They put a lot of effort into getting information, developing products and pitches, focus groups, testing, and marketing. Getting an effective message to the right buyer has always been their focus. I had never thought of advertising as a science before seeing this.

As technology changes targeting is getting easier for them. Each time there is a change in technology the ad people adopt it to their use. If we figure out a new way to block ads, like TIVO, they change to product placement. We get pop up blockers, they develop a method to run ads first before your video starts streaming.

As advertisers gain more data and technology evolves I can see each person becoming a specific target. The cable and satellite boxes are addressable and could become the next target of direct advertisers. Imagine getting custom messages delivered automatically to your house.