Tech Writer This Week for September 27, 2012

Tech Writer This Week for September 27, 2012 – TechWhirl

TechWhirl’s Weekly Roundup of the best technical communication and technical writing posts on the web.

Storified by · Fri, Sep 28 2012 09:19:59

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As we enjoy the first week of Autumn, Tom Johnson (idratherbewriting.com) talks about incorporating elements of speech into writing, and Kai Weber (kaiweber.wordpress.com) lists three motivators tech writers share with tech comm readers. Mark Baker (everypageispageone.com) discusses the role of narrative in technical communication, and Ugur Akinci (technicalcommunicationcenter.com) says you can learn while you earn.

Switching gears into Content Strategy, Anne Gentle (justwriteclick.com) is considering branching off into *community* content strategy. Den Nicholson (contentcurationdesktop.com) defends the nascent practice of content curation. And James O’Brien (contently.com) tells us how content connects editorial and marketing in the Forbes newsroom.
In the world of User Experience, Mike Altman (uxbooth.com) contemplates the effectiveness of using storytelling to solve problems. Then Charles Hannon (smashingmagazine.com) explores design patterns and how they can help in designing products that users already know how to use.
We wrap with Career and Life, where we offer a double-shot from Shevonne Polastre (chicwriter.com). Shevonne suggests using patience to help eliminate careless mistakes when creating documentation. She also gets a lot of emails asking if it’s too late to pursue a career as a tech writer. Then Shevonne shares her answer with us.

Technical Communication

Incorporating Elements of Speech into WritingAs I mentioned in my previous post, I’m making my way through Peter Elbow’s Vernacular Eloquence: What Speech Can Bring to Writing. Elbow…
3 motivators you share with your tech comm readersWhat motivates you to work most likely motivates most of your users in their jobs, too! You still need to know your audience, their tasks…
Narrative and Fact in Tech Comm – Every Page is Page OneBased on the responses to my post Topic Size: Finding The Narrative Minim, I think I need to say a little more about what I see as the ro…
Technical Writing – A Time to Learn (now!)… A Time to Earn (now!)… | Technical Communication Center© Ugur Akinci From time to time my students ask whether I can recommend them this certification course, or should they enroll in that dip…

Content Strategy

Community Content Strategist | Just Write ClickI’m considering a request. It’s a request for a new branch in content strategy. Now it’s odd to even start such a fork when content strat…
In Defense of Content CurationThere’s been a fair amount written lately about the value – or lack thereof – of content curation. Eric Wittlake blogged last month that …
How Content Connects Editorial and Marketing at ForbesThe intersection of traditional publishing and new kinds of publishers was under examination last week at the second Content Conversation…

User Experience

Storytelling to Problem Solve – UX Booth | UX BoothBy Mike Altman Category Social Storytelling has long been a tool for user experience designers, guiding how we craft an experience. What …
You Already Know How To Use It | Smashing UX DesignIn the first television advertisement for the iPad, the narrator intoned, "It’s crazy powerful. It’s magical. You already know how to use…

Career and Life

Be Patient to Create Your Best WorkWhile at church yesterday, the pastor asked children if they wanted to eat a marshmallow that was on the plate or wait 20 minutes for two…
It’s Never Too Late to Pursue Your Dream JobI was talking to someone who is an inspiration to people who wonder if they are too old to pursue the career of their dreams. She never f…

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