RE: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken

["Bonnie Granat" <bgranat -at- granatedit -dot- com>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lauren [mailto:lauren -at- writeco -dot- net] 
> Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 2:46 AM
> To: 'Bonnie Granat'; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: RE: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken
> 
> > From: Bonnie Granat
> 
> > Lauren seems to view technical writing as writing about technology 
> > only;
> 
> Where did you get this impression?  My view is that technical 
> writing is not related to technology but to the documentation 
> of functions, specifications, procedures, and other 
> technical, or specialized, aspects of the subject-matter. 

So what, other than technology, has functions, specifications, procedures,
and other 
 technical, or specialized functions? 

 I 
> am not certain how you came to the conclusion that I think 
> technical writing is limited to technology.  I have never 
> held the view that technical writing was limited to technology.
> 

Your definition above.

> > others see technical writing in the traditional way as being the 
> > umbrella under which all specialized writing occurs.
> 
> Technical writing is specialized writing, hence the name "technical."
> Business writing is non-technical, as in general, writing for 
> business, such as analytical, marketing, and research writing.
> 

In the classical view, business writing is technical writing because of the
content, which is specialized.


> If all specialized writing is technical writing, then what do 
> you call general writing for business?  General business 
> writing or writing that covers a broad, rather than specific 
> area cannot be both specialized
> (specific) and general (broad), however, both types of 
> writing exist in business.
> 

Business writing is technical writing in the classical view. If one were
narrowing down the type of technical writing one performed, one would say
"business writing" but one would be a technical writer.


> Also, I certainly do not think that specialized writing 
> implies that writing is technical writing because the author 
> specializes in professional writing.

I'm not saying that -- I'm saying the content itself determines what is
technical writing and what is not.

> I think that technical writing is specialized because the 
> writing is focused on a specialized subject.  There is 
> business writing that is not focused on a specialized subject 
> but is more general, like financial summaries that really do 
> not get into specifics but present a broad financial view of 
> a company.  How can this type of writing be non-specialized, 
> but still be called technical? 
> 

You don't think that writing about financial matters requires an
understanding of the subject of finance, or that writing about business
requires an understanding of business principles?


Bonnie Granat
http://www.GranatEdit.com


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

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.