Technical Writing

Technical Writing conjures up all sorts of negative connotations -- dry, boring, stilted, formulaic -- but I thoroughly enjoy my technical writing projects. Sometimes it is a little bit of a cookbook following the style guides in describing a procedure, but it could also be a challenge finding just the right metaphor to give the reader a ledge of understanding with which to see the entire terrain of this new skill.

It's never a good idea to assume anything about a reader, but to explain clearly without condescending or excessive jargon.

But if the truth be known (and of course it will be!) the cookbook aspect of procedures also allows the reader access to sequential information in a standard format, and there is great comfort in familiarity.

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Selected Technical Writing Projects

Selected Technical Writing Projects

  • Using the Strategic Offender Management System
    (DRC)
  • WebHelp for the Strategic Offender Management System
    (DRC)
  • Electronic Resource Management System User Guide
    (DRC)
  • Daily Scanning for ERMS
    (DRC)
  • Windows 95: How and Why Interactive CD-ROM
    (Microsoft)
    Award of Excellence, Society for Technical Communication (STC)
    International Award of Distinction, STC
  • PageMaker 5.0 User Manual
    (Aldus/Adobe)
    Award of Excellence, STC
  • Rocky & Bullwinkle CD-ROM screen saver User Manual
    (Asymetrix)
    Award of Achievement, STC
  • Pink Panther CD-ROM screen saver User Manual
    (Asymetrix)
  • Natural States CD-ROM screen saver User Manual
    (Asymetrix)
  • Jurassic Park CD-ROM screen saver User Manual
    (Asymetrix)
  • FreeHand 5.0 Fundamentals
    (Macromedia)
  • Active Voice System Manager's Guide
    (plus 4 additional manuals)
    (Active Voice)
  • Additions for Aldus PageMaker 5.0
    Aldus/Adobe)
  • Kodak Color Configure User's Guide for Aldus PhotoStyler 2.0 (Aldus/Adobe)
  • Crystal Walls User Manual
    (Domain Virtual Worlds)
  • Team Manager Online Help
    (Microsoft)
  • Microsoft Project Online Help
    (Microsoft)
  • Service Request System Online Help
    (Weyerhauser)
  • Compel 2.0 Online Help
    (Asymetrix)
  • Crystal Walls Online Help
    (Domain Virtual Worlds)
  • Aldus Persuasion Online Help
    (Aldus/Adobe)
  • Building a Foundation for Tomorrow:
    Skill Standards for Information Technology
    (NorthWest Center for Emerging Technology)
    (Plus 17 additional Skill Standards Manuals)

Posted in Technical Writing