This is a reminder that you are invited to join STC France members and fellow technical communicators in Paris on Monday 24th September at 7pm for an informal networking buffet and a presentation by award-winning researcher and educator Karen Schriver.

Karen's presentation is entitled "If You're So Smart, Why Does Your Writing Suck?" and explores why subject-matter experts often have trouble writing for general audiences and how you, as a technical communicator, can help.

This is the first event in our new "Saveurs et Savoirs" (Dine and Discover) evening seminar series. Enjoy some good food and wine, schmooze with fellow technical communicators, and learn something new from renowned industry experts, all for as little as 10 euros!

Karen Schriver's presentation was one of the most popular and entertaining sessions at this year's STC Technical Communication Summit in Minneapolis. If you weren't able to attend, don't miss this opportunity to hear Karen speak in Paris. Sign up now to reserve your place! Registration deadline extended to 21 September. Read on for full details.

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What:
"If You're So Smart, Why Does Your Writing Suck?" presented by Karen Schriver, of KSA Communications Design & Research, Inc.
Subject-matter experts often have trouble writing for general audiences. Experts may fail to understand what audiences need to know and create texts permeated with insider jargon and content that is too difficult, too complex, and not focused on what readers expect. It may be easy to attribute experts' problem to arrogance and cluelessness, but this interpretation is too simple. Research into the cognition of expertise offers insights into why subject-matter experts have trouble transforming their knowledge for audiences. This work suggests that sophisticated subject-matter knowledge can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Come learn about domain experts writing for smart people outside of their field. Get ideas for working with people who may believe that clear writing waters down their thinking.

Who:
Dr. Karen Schriver is a researcher, consultant, and educator in information design. Her early work at Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) charted new territory in understanding the integration of word and image, audience analysis, and people-centered design. Her book, Dynamics in Document Design: Creating Texts for Readers (Wiley & Sons), now in its 9th printing, is regarded as an essential work in the field. Winner of nine awards for research, Karen has made a significant impact on how information designers around the world think about their work.

Karen is a Fellow of STC and a frequent keynote speaker. She has taught at universities in the US, Holland and South Africa, and is on the board of directors for the Communications Research Institute (Australia) and the Center for Plain Language (Washington, DC).

Karen will speak in English.

When:
Monday, 24 September: 7-9.30pm

Where:
FIAP Jean Monnet, 1st floor
30 rue Cabanis 75014 Paris

Métro: Glacière (line 6) or Denfert-Rochereau (lines 4, 6, RER B)

How:
To register for the event, send an email with your name, contact details and membership number (members of STC, IABC, or CRT) to secretary@stcfrance.org.
Registration closes Friday 21/09/2007. Don't delay. Sign up today to reserve your place!

Payment at the door (cash or check ONLY):
10 euros for STC members, students, and members of CRT and IABC
25 euros for non-members
Please make checks (in Euros, drawn on a French bank) payable to "STC France".

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