InSTRUCTIONAL WRITING
A technical writer needs to be able to craft concise and accurate instructions for all manner of devices and software. To demonstrate this ability, I have included both an instructional print-out for a self-defense baton, as well as an example of my copymarking skills, which also figures prominently into both correcting and improving expository text.
Defense Baton Instructions:
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One of the first things that comes to mind when you consider the technical writer’s job, is crafting instructions. To be more specific, instruction manuals for consumer technologies.
A concern for safety, by way of relaying important instructions in clear and concise language, is why I chose to include this artifact. If I am going to be writing for the general public, especially on items with the potential to do physical harm, then clarity and weight is required of my writing.
Again, this was a piece I did for the sake of practicing my craft. I own something similar to the product I describe, and provide instructions for, in this example; and, feeling that some of the methods used to create the included instructions did not emphasize personal safety. Compared to the instructions which came with the baton, I decided that my interpretation needed to be more precise, and needed to demonstrate the potential that such a device has to do harm.
Copymarking Example:
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One of the most valuable attributes a technical writer can have is the knowledge, capacity, and experience necessary to perform copymarking work. To demonstrate my versatility, and my openness to expanding my role and general fund of communications knowledge with regard to my future career, I have decided to include this artifact. My copymarking submission is a good example of how I can function in a purely pen and paper situation. Learning about the markings and concepts which drive copymarking, my submission helps to demonstrate my growth from novice, to someone with intermediate skills.