Re: What do you guys think of STCs new definition for technicalwriter?

[Mike Starr <mikestarr-techwr-l -at- writestarr -dot- com>]

Ah, you replied to my message but didn't comment on my rewrite of what Sean started. You commented on Sean's original. I think my rewrite handles most of your concerns. My rewrite was:

Technical communicators create a variety of print and online documents that are clear, concise, comprehensive, accurate, correct, accessible, and professional. Typical deliverables include manuals, online documentation, proposals, policies and procedures, and websites. Technical communicators work in all types of businesses and industries around the world and use a variety of methods, tools, and technologies including writing, illustration, graphic design, photography, video, and sound.

Mike
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Bonnie Granat wrote:
> Needs a comma before "including," but I think the principles of good
> technical writing ought to be brought seriously to bear on that definition
> Mike. For example: "A technical communicator creates communication .. " --
> would you accept something like that in a customer-facing document?
> 
> I also think that commenting on the quality in a definition is not good.
> Would a definition of a physician say: "Ensures people become healthy..."?
> No, of course not. So saying "A technical communicator creates communication
> that is clear, concise, comprehensive, accurate, correct, accessible,
> accurate, and ..." is like saying "Ensures people become healthy..." --
> which is unacceptable.
> 
> Question to myself: "Why are you helping with a definition whose term you
> think is silly?"
> 
> Bonnie Granat
> http://www.GranatEdit.com
>  
> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: 
>> techwr-l-bounces+bgranat=granatedit -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com 
>> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+bgranat=granatedit -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l
>> .com] On Behalf Of Mike Starr
>> Sent: Friday, May 23, 2008 10:12 AM
>> To: Borowik, Kristy
>> Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>> Subject: Re: What do you guys think of STCs new definition 
>> for technicalwriter?
>>
>> Yesterday, in another thread, Sean Brierly came up with this 
>> suggestion:
>>
>> 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.
>> I then worked it over and came up with this:
>>
>> Technical communicators create a variety of print and online 
>> documents that are clear, concise, comprehensive, accurate, 
>> correct, accessible, and professional. Typical deliverables 
>> include manuals, online documentation, proposals, policies 
>> and procedures, and websites. Technical communicators work in 
>> all types of businesses and industries around the world and 
>> use a variety of methods, tools, and technologies including 
>> writing, illustration, graphic design, photography, video, and sound.
>>
>> Incidentally, I'm not a proponent of brevity at all costs nor 
>> am I inclined toward packaging the whole thing into a single 
>> sentence. Word tells me this paragraph contains 63 words. I 
>> don't think that's too much.
> 
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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

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