Hallelujah and saints be praised!

[blamebrampton]

It is a long weekend, and I have no work work to do. At last, I can get stuck in and clean the house, beta fics, write and read (and [Poll #1411482][Poll #1411482]

Comments

[suttonwriter.livejournal.com]

Now most people think that editing craft would be easy, after all, you are making a thing, and the instructions for that thing are very easy and obvious. The problem is threefold: firstly, craft writers leave out steps because they believe them to be obvious, while readers do not. . .

When I teach technical writing, my class does an in-class assignment that dissuades them of the belief that instructions are simple to write. I give them 15 minutes to write directions for making a peanut butter sandwich for someone whose culture doesn't have sandwiches or twist-top jars. Then either I or the most literal (read smart-ass) student in the class will try to follow those who volunteer to read those. I bring in bread, a knife, and peanut butter. In one case, the student couldn't even open the jar; the writer didn't say to hold the jar while unscrewing the lid. (In interests of full disclosure, I must admit I stole this activity from someone else). It usually gets the point across.

As far as the poll goes, I selected the first two. I like reading writers who talk about writing. Plus, it gives me one more source I can send students to.

At last, I can get stuck in and clean the house, beta fics, write and read (and [info]suttonwriter and [info]wemyss , the two of you are at the top of my list for essay reading!

Are you talking about reading some of my stuff? If so, thank you in advance.