Re: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken

["Gene Kim-Eng" <techwr -at- genek -dot- com>]

With the necessary education and experience, yes.  Technical
writers are frequently assigned prepare legal documents such 
as warranty statements and contract proposals, with lawyers 
as SME's, whether you think it's true or not.

Technical writers perform whatever type of complex, highly
specialized writing their training and experience qualifies them
to do.  The range of writing tasks that can be described as
"generic technical writing" (those tasks that can be performed
by someone with no specialized training or experience beyond 
a degree in English, journalism or "technical communications"
and some time on the job writing user manuals) is only a small 
portion of the full range of work that can fall under the umbrella 
of "technical writing,"  and you need some better reason  than 
the fact that you may not be qualified to do much of it to say
that it does not.

Gene Kim-Eng


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lauren" <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net>
> If this were true, then it should follow that a technical writer could be a
> legal writer.  We know this is not true because lawyers are legal writers.
> So if legal writing and all the other types of writing that you mention are
> under the umbrella of technical writing are performed by people qualified to
> perform those types of writing, then what type of writing is a technical
> writer performing?  Generic technical writing?  

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.