RE: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken

["Lauren" <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net>]

However, business writing is not technical writing.  Technical writing is
focused on the technical aspects of the subject matter (like an application
or system), such as its specifications, how it works, how to use it, and
what it does.  Business writing is focused on the business aspects of the
subject matter (like the business or a project), such as, what it impacts
(like, outside groups and businesses), how the subject matter will provide
benefit, why the audience should be interested, and frequently there are
business details such as financial summaries.

If business writing is a specialized form of technical writing, then
describe how a business plan, which is very much the product of business
writing, is a technical document.  The fact that it provides some technical
information does not make it a technical document, and I would certainly be
impressed in how you would describe this clearly business document as
technical.  

Also, how are the methods to produce a business plan the same as those used
to produce technical documents?  The methods are different.  Business
writing usually requires some independent research that technical writing
does not require.  Technical writing may require some study, interviews, and
review of documentation that supports the subject matter, but I don't
usually hear of cases where a technical writer is required to research legal
documents, competition, financial statements, and sources outside of the
immediate scope of the project.

Also, contradicting my conclusion is not an argument.  It's just a
contradiction.  I mentioned that there were no arguments against my claim.

Lauren

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gene Kim-Eng [mailto:techwr -at- genek -dot- com] 
> Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 12:00 AM
> To: Lauren; 'Michael West'; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken
> 
> Maybe you missed what I said;
> 
> "The distinction being described here is merely the difference
> between two highly specialized forms of very technical writing."
> 
> Gene Kim-Eng
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Lauren" <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net>
> 
> > My point has always been that the two are different because 
> they have
> > different focuses and different purposes.  Nobody has 
> argued against my
> > conclusion

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