RE: What do you guys think of STCs new definition for technical writer?

["McLauchlan, Kevin" <Kevin -dot- McLauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From:
techwr-l-bounces+kevin -dot- mclauchlan=safenet-inc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+kevin -dot- mclauchlan=safenet-inc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-
> l.com] On Behalf Of Borowik, Kristy
> Sent: Friday, May 23, 2008 09:07
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: What do you guys think of STCs new definition for technical
> writer?
> 
> Yesterday I started a debate amongst the STC board of directors,
trying
> to get them to change their proposed definition to include the word
> "ensure" rather than the word "assure." Merriam Webster clearly states
> that the word "assure" "distinctively implies the removal of doubt or
> suspense from a person's mind." So how can they possibly use the word
in
> their definition? A few of the members agree with me. One has changed
it
> in the survey they sent out yesterday, but this morning I received an
> e-mail from the director of communications that makes me think the
> discussion is not over. He simply thinks the word means something
else.
> He said it means "to give likelihood to." Nowhere could I find that
> definition. I seriously think he made it up. I'm curious about what
you
> all think of both the debate and the definition.

If you look long enough, you can find almost any definition of a given
word.

For working definitions:

Assure - assert that <this-or-that> is so [modify someone's perception].
Ensure - make it so [modify the situation]
Insure - indemnify in case of failure of the first two [cover your butt
w.r.t. either their perception or the actuality of the situation and any
difference between the two).

At least, that's how I explain when anybody either asks or appears not
to understand.

I'll open a dictionary and hold up a page with my finger under an entry,
to make a point, but I usually don't bother simply referring people to
paper or online dictionaries, because I know they'll never bother - both
from laziness and from resistance to finding out that they've been
wrong.   :-)
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