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Learning how to write well doesn't require "long and intensive academic preparation"? Were you born an excellent writer? Regardless, notice the caveat in the definition: "often."
But I didn't say I would use that definition exclusively, and having taken a second look at it, it obviously falls short since after you remove the caveat, the definition is far too general: "A calling requiring specialized knowledge".
Again, I would argue that where trade/craft create order in matter, professions create order in ideas. In addition, I like Craig's distinction, "I guess it means our collars are white, and our fingernails are clean."
It isn't a matter of superiority or inferiority. It is a matter of calling a thing what it is.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+lporrello=illumina -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lporrello=illumina -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Dan Goldstein
Sent: Monday, October 31, 2011 10:03 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Technical writing as a trade; was, RE: Give Me a Clear Thinker(was STC certification: what's in it for tech writers?)
By that definition, technical writing is certainly not a profession.
-----Original Message-----
From: Porrello, Leonard
Sent: Monday, October 31, 2011 12:59 PM
To: 'Robert Lauriston'; TECHWR-L
Subject: RE: Technical writing as a trade; was, RE: Give Me a Clear
Thinker(was STC certification: what's in it for tech writers?)
"A calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive
academic preparation."
This fits for me. I guess you could say that "long and intensive" is
relative, but while earning a BA is not as long and intensive as earning
a JD or MD, earning a BA is not a cake-walk and arguably much more
challenging than on-the-job training.
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