Response to Jessica Soule's 10.31.08 Post

I agree with you when you pointed out that in technical writing you are no longer writing for yourself, but for your reader. I think that is the single most important idea that we have learned yet. It has caused me to take a step back from my writing and really focus on whether or not my writing will reach the reader in the way that I intend. Like you said, you can save a lot of time in the long run if you can be effective the first time around. Testing can be a beneficial way to streamline this process, but just like reader centered writing, your focus group must be the right type of group.