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Much computer writing, by necessity, must be dull. The writer’s paramount objective is to tell users how to do something with brevity and clarity. Usually that means writing numbered steps that ask readers to "click this, click that" and making sure they never wonder "What do I do now?"
But in some areas, the computer writer can make a topic more understandable by making it more interesting. The use of analogies from everyday life and an occasional touch of humor keep the reader involved and make learning a little easier.
My role model is the British actor John Cleese, well-known for his roles in the Monty Python series and in movies like A Fish Called Wanda. His greatest achievements, though, are his many industrial training films, which amply demonstrate his droll humor. It’s easy to make jokes about Bill Clinton and Michael Jackson; it’s a lot harder to be amusing about customer support and quality control.
I am no John Cleese. I always make the effort, however, to provide the reader with some pleasure in all my computer writing, which can be broken down into three areas: general computing, Microsoft Access training, and website evaluation. |
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