RE: Define technical communicator's job

[John Hedtke <john -at- hedtke -dot- com>]

I had a moment where I wanted to clear my head after finishing an 
appendix, so let me add a few kopeks.

I'd earlier suggested offlist to Sean that his original "technical 
goods" was not an appropriately inclusive direct object that didn't 
adequately include cake mixes, cat litter, tampons, or shampoo.  We 
can hold on to those as shibboleths to be thrown at our definitions 
and see how they fit.

The question that I have for this new definition is "Is it too 
broad?"  (We are going to have that problem, definitely, considering 
the breadth we're trying to cover.)  The thing that I'm not seeing in 
this definition, which I think I like better fwiw, may be a clause 
that says what we create the communication FOR... but I'm not sure 
that we can say that effectively.  What does the group think?

John

At 01:27 PM 5/22/2008, Sean Brierley wrote:
>A technical communicator creates communication that is clear, concise,
>comprehensive, accurate, correct, accessible, accurate, and
>professional, using a variety of methods, tools, and technologies, that
>can include writing, illustration, photography, video, and sound, for a
>variety of static and dynamic deliverables, including print media and
>online media.
>
>What about that?
>
>Cheers,
>
>Sean
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Bill Swallow [mailto:techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com]
>Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:19 PM
>To: Gene Kim-Eng
>Cc: Sean Brierley; techwr-l List
>Subject: Re: Define technical communicator's job
>
>
>What items do you suggest adding? I'm advocating shortening it! ;-)
>
>This is a standard job statement, meaning something on the books as a
>commonly understood definition of what a technical writer is.
>
>On Thu, May 22, 2008 at 2:58 PM, Gene Kim-Eng <techwr -at- genek -dot- com> wrote:
> > If that is what is required it is.  As a "standard" definition, I
> > would delete the second sentence. If you keep it you'd need to change
> > "combines" to "may combine" or "may require,"  and
> > possibly add a lot more  items to the list.
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Yours truly,

John Hedtke
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