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Subject:RE: job title nomenclature on biz cards From:"Tammy Lloyd" <tlloyd -at- xaware -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Thu, 19 Aug 2004 12:02:04 -0600
I beg your pardon, Mr. Plato,
I am a technical writer--one who writes documents from nothing; I am also an editor editing my manager's documents and other company documents. I can't help but take some offense to your statement that "most people who call themselves 'technical writers' or 'technical communicators' are actually editors since they do not author content or possess the technical skills to communicate ideas." I'm not sure what type of "technical writers" you deal with, but everyone I've ever known as a technical writer was/is required to author, edit, and communicate ideas. Writing is certainly a form of communication; to do it well, writers must be excellent communicators.
I also disagree with your statement that "if you handed me a card with the title 'technical writer' I would expect you to be able to author content from scratch based on your own knowledge." Only autobiographical writers can rely solely upon their own knowledge/experience; while, all other writers must delve into research, including writers of fiction.
For example, I must rely upon my ability to interpret the technical explanations I receive from our engineers on new or existing features, my ability to test the software to verify it is functioning as expected, and my ability to research the technology on which the functionality is based. I'd certainly produce a very poor document if I only relied upon my knowledge.
I apologize if I am misinterpreting your meanings here; but, please don't stereotype (or perpetuate a stereotype) that degrades other professionals in the technical writing field by pigeonholing their duties and abilities.
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