Biggest Lies Tech Writers Tell

[updated with reader insights, September 25, 2011]


Editor’s Note:
 The following piece by Wade Nelson part of our collection of “classics”–technical writing articles that stand the test of time no matter how many technologies come and go.

  1. I’m confident I can have that finished by….
  2. Someone else has reviewed it and made additional edits? Great!
  3. Oh, I’ve written dozens of ___________.
  4. Of course I’m familiar with RST inverted NAND bipolar technology. My brother is bipolar.
  5. Don’t worry, I’ll merge all those markups onto a single copy.
  6. Oh no, I’m sure everyone reading that will understand exactly what you mean. I just thought it sounded a little better if we phrased it….
  7. This is really good. Have you considered becoming a writer yourself?
  8. You’re the boss….
Did we miss any?  Please add them to the comments and well add them to our master list.
Tech Whirler Contributions:
  • Since the deadline is today, I will not accept any changes after COB tonight. None. Zero. Don’t even ask. (George, WritingRag.Com)
  • Go Live has a 5% chance of happening? That sounds like good odds (Ryan)
  • Type up those minutes for you? I don’t mind a bit…. (Connie)
  • “I’ve never missed a deadline.” (PSU)
  • As long as you the project manager can promise me I’ll have the support from the SMEs as we discussed (Peter)
Category: Lighter Side - Tag (s): classic / lies / technical writing

Rogers George

13 years ago

“Since the deadline is today, I will not accept any changes after COB tonight. None. Zero. Don’t even ask.”

Ryan

13 years ago

Go Live has a 5% chance of happening? That sounds like good odds

Connie Giordano

Connie

13 years ago

Type up those minutes for you? I don’t mind a bit….

Psu_d

13 years ago

“I’ve never missed a deadline.”

Kathy

13 years ago

Yeah, just because a woman can write, they figure she must be good at taking meeting minutes. What do Admin Assistants even do these days?

Peter Dallman

13 years ago

“as long as you the project manager can promise me I’ll have the support from the SMEs as we discussed then meeting the deadline is do-able. You said there are no other issues that might affect the project right?”

Manager, “Should I promote Ken to senior TW?” TW, “I can honestly say you will never find another writer quite like him!”

I would like to see an article about the lies told to us!!!!!

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