The impact of ethics
That’s My Opinion
By Bob Robinson
Oct. 15, 2010
I have three Technical Writing classes at Edison Community College. One of the first questions I always ask students is “How many of you are here because you have to be?”
Nearly all of them.
It is a requirement for most technical certificate and degree programs and I’ve often had students tell me they dreaded it.
“How many of you are comfortable with your writing skills?” While a few raise their hands, they are typically in the minority.
Then I tell them we have two responsibilities for the next 16 weeks. First, it’s my job to build an attitude change in each of them. Second, it’s their job to be open to it.
The writing skills that they take into the workplace can often be the difference between advancement, being ignored when promotions are handed out, or even being hired for a job or passed over in a competitive environment.
Most, for instance, had no idea that putting together a good resume is a technical writing skill.
They do now. And some were surprised when I told them that over the years, I’ve reviewed hundreds of resumes for a variety of fields, ranging from technical writing and journalism to graphic design.
“I’ve got 10 resumes for one position. What do you think I do when I see a misspelled word or poor grammar in a resume, regardless of the skill set of the individual?”
Someone usually says something like “trash can?” or “circular file?”
“Yup. You got it!”
While they are thinking on that, I give them a few examples of how poor communication skills can actually hurt an employer, either by costing them money when thousands of printed products have to be thrown away or making them potentially liable for inaccurate, confusing, misleading or careless statements.
The next step is to let them know that good grammar is often nothing more than common sense. Does it sound right? If you let it sit for a day and then go back and read it, does it make sense? Do you use 30 words when you only need 20?
Are you accurate in detail? Have you been true to the subject about which you are writing, not only by avoiding mistakes but also by making sure no information has been left out…
Which leads us to the next unit: Ethics & Responsibility.
I drill the students on their own personal ethics; how they relate to the society in which they live, and often, the organization for which they work. We tie it to the ethics of the technical writing profession, and I force them to consider what they would do when an ethical structure conflicts with theirs.
As happens every election year, the students call the ethics of politicians into question during class discussions. Who’s surprised?
I find it interesting that Rasmussen came out with a poll Thursday saying the vast majority of people think politicians lie, and most think they do so intentionally.
These students don’t understand how politicians can get away with lying about their opponents. I explain that – right or wrong – a different set of standards applies to public figures. While technically slander and libel can be taken to court, or to the Ohio Ethics Commission, the reality is that by the time anything is decided the election is over. Only in extremely rare cases – such as the notorious Carol Burnett libel suit against the National Enquirer – is a cash award ever awarded.
Then I ask them if lying is the only “truth” for which politicians should be held responsible.
Blank stares.
“What about the ethics for which you are responsible as technical writers?”
“Accuracy?”
“If a politician isn’t accurate, is it by accident? Maybe, but if it isn’t, it would be lying, right?”
“Being clear and to the point? I don’t like it when politicians won’t tell us where they stand.”
“Closer. You’re getting there.”
“Ignoring facts?”
“Bingo. What happens if you are writing a process for working with high-voltage equipment, and you leave out important information?”
“Someone could get hurt or killed.”
“What about leaving out pertinent information in a procedural report, or maybe a resume?”
“You’re misleading your audience.”
“Should this be a concern if someone is asking you to put your trust in him or her to serve the public in a responsible manner?”
The answer, of course, is yes… just as ethics is important in any chosen profession, just as ethics is important in every other aspect of your life.
I left the students to draw their own conclusions. They’re bright. They will.
They leave the unit with a deeper understanding of how ethics can impact their careers and their personal lives…
But more important, how it can impact the lives of others.
That’s my opinion. What’s yours?
Bob Robinson is the retired editor of The Daily Advocate, Greenville, Ohio. If you wish to receive a daily notification of his comments, opinions and reports, send your email address to: opinionsbybob@gmail.com. Feel free to express your views.
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