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"Technical writers create and modify documentation about processes, products, and services of a scientific or technological nature. The documentation almost always includes text, and often also includes graphics. Technical writers are able to organize and present information provided by others who have specific technical expertise. They are able to learn new technologies, both in the subject matter that they are documenting and in the tools that they use to present it. They are able to modify the documentation according to the needs of the target audience, as well as the needs of the organizations for which they work."
I think that is a good definition for "technical writer."
Technical communication, on the other hand, is a much larger community. For example I teach VR training developers, game developers, technical animators, and videographers in our program.
That points out the STC's big problem. They represent "technical communication" and the community of technical communicators is as diverse as any professional community I can name. How can they represent the growing and changing needs of all these different professions? How could they be a union or guild for illustrators, art directors, publications coordinators, and documentation specialists?
David E. Hailey, Jr., Ph.D.
Associate Professor -- Professional and Technical Writing
Utah State University
dhailey -at- english -dot- usu -dot- edu
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