RE: Writing in the workplace (long)

[Barry Maid <bmmaid@ualr.edu>]

Jon--

>Thanks, Barry.  You're helping me understand the rhetorical situation I
>find so tricky:  I, the university professor, know what you need as a
>developing writer; you, the workplace professional, think you know what you
>need, but you're wrong.  

I do believe I think you've got it.  You're now ready to be a consultant. 
 ;-)

Think about it, Jon, that's what consultants really do.  While we may not 
understand (or like) the discourse of an individual industry, we *really* 
do know an awful lot about how to communicate effectively in writing.  
That's *real* expertise and is worth an awful lot.

I suspect the whole thing is an issue of ethos.

Barry Maid
bmmaid@ualr.edu