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Technical Writing and Word Processing

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     I provide skilled office and public-relations support to help you present professional, first-class material — whether you're a corporate CEO, solo entrepreneur, retiree, or student.

     Even the best spell-check and grammar-check programs won't catch all the subtle (and sometimes blatant) flaws in a manuscript. Although people are now routinely using computers at work and in school, many of these users, unfortunately, have never mastered the basic rules of English usage.

     Weakness in this area is nothing new. I saw examples of it when I was in school. But the dumbing-down of America's public education system in recent years has made the problem worse. Too many writers are turning out presentations that make them look uneducated or, at least, careless. Relying on spell-check and grammar-check software, without first knowing the rules of spelling and grammar, has made many a poor composition even worse. And it has made many a CEO look foolish.

     Don't you be the professional who alienates the customer and sacrifices a good working relationship by handing out a second-rate brochure. Don't you be the student who doesn't make the grade because of a second-class research project — or the job applicant whose half-baked resume gets thrown out immediately.

     One encouraging trend these days is the re-emergence of phonics in some school systems — not to mention home schooling. Teachers who taught reading and writing to my early baby-boom generation had been raised on the phonics method. Consequently, even though their school systems required them to introduce us to the Dick, Jane, and Sally materials ("See Spot Run"), my contemporaries and I had the advantage of instruction by teachers who knew the superiority of phonics over such methods. Because of this, our reading and writing instruction — despite the mandates of the school systems of our day — had a strong infusion of phonics.

     For more on resumes, use the Resume Preparation link, below, next to the other links.

Transcription from Audio

     Since resume work is my main occupation, I often refer transcription requests to other specialists.

     All audio tapes should be recorded so that the entire dialogue is clearly audible and instantly intelligible. I can no longer accept tapes that do not meet these criteria.

     To achieve high-quality recordings, you don't need bulky, costly equipment, but be sure to follow these guidelines:

• Use standard cassettes, if possible — not microcassettes.
• Use the faster tape speed for smoother recording.
• Use A/C (wall outlet) power — not battery power.
• Use an external, omnidirectional microphone — not the recorder's built-in microphone.
• Let the machine run continuously. Don't keep switching it off and on.
• Don't chew gum or eat during dictation.

     Internal microphones are greatly inferior; and incidental noises — such as objects being placed on a desk, doors opening and closing, etc. — tend to be so loud that they block out the voices. Also, voices at a distance from the recorder are often faint and muddy on the tape.

     If you are using a microcassette machine, avoid using 90-minute cassette tapes. These tapes are thin and flimsy — and can easily jump the track or break. Use the more durable 60-minute variety instead whenever possible.

     Please provide a list of all speakers' names whenever possible — plus the spellings of all names and locations mentioned in the dialogue.

     Videotapes of lectures, meetings, and other sessions to be transcribed should also be accompanied by an audio-only version.