---
title: "Results for My 10 Technical Writing Stereotypes Survey"
date: 2008-10-08
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# Results for My 10 Technical Writing Stereotypes Survey

Nearly two weeks ago I [posted a survey](https://idratherbewriting.com/2008/09/28/ten-technical-writing-stereotypes/) about 10 technical writing stereotypes. 221 people participated in the survey. The results are below.

### 1. Technical writing is boring.

Generally True: 7%
Sometimes True, Sometimes False: 46%
Generally False: 47%

### 2. Technical writing stifles your creativity.

Generally True: 10%
Sometimes True, Sometimes False: 32%
Generally False: 58%

### 3. You do a lot of writing as a technical writer.

Generally True: 12%
Sometimes True, Sometimes False: 47%
Generally False: 41%

### 4. You need a job in technical communication to get a job in technical communication.

Generally True: 23%
Sometimes True, Sometimes False: 41%
Generally False: 36%

### 5. Technical writers are second-class citizens in IT departments.

Generally True: 28%
Sometimes True, Sometimes False: 47%
Generally False: 25%

### 6. Technical writers feel as if they've sold out.

Generally True: 6%
Sometimes True, Sometimes False: 23%
Generally False: 71%

### 7. You can easily support a family with other writing careers outside of technical writing.

Generally True: 17%
Sometimes True, Sometimes False: 41%
Generally False: 42%

### 8. You have to know a lot of tools to break into technical communication.

Generally True: 26%
Sometimes True, Sometimes False: 43%
Generally False: 31%

### 9. Technical writers are introverted, isolated, boring geeks.

Generally True: 7%
Sometimes True, Sometimes False: 38%
Generally False: 55%

### 10. Because IT technologies change so frequently, you have to spend large amounts of your spare time just keeping up with what's new.

Generally True: 16%
Sometimes True, Sometimes False: 35%
Generally False: 48%