RE: Technical Writer or Documentation Writer?

Subject: RE: Technical Writer or Documentation Writer?
From: "Gordon McLean" <Gordon -dot- McLean -at- GrahamTechnology -dot- com>
To: "'Will Husa'" <will -dot- husa -at- 4techwriter -dot- com>, <ccardimon -at- M-S-G -dot- com>, <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2007 10:38:34 -0000

I started a similar thread on the ISTC list recently.

General reaction varied from "I don't give a hoot", through to "it is
crucial for our profession that we all TRY and get a common, accurate and
descriptive name for what we do, even if not everyone agrees".

To be honest, the bit I dislike is the "writer" word. I do much more than
that as part of my job, and my role brings much more than just documentation
to the company. We are user advocates after all, aren't we?

If it's a straight choice though, I'd plump for the former. Documentation
Writer just doesn't sound right, does it?

Gordon

www.onemanwrites.co.uk


-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+gordon -dot- mclean=grahamtechnology -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+gordon -dot- mclean=grahamtechnology -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- c
om] On Behalf Of Will Husa
Sent: 05 November 2007 23:42
To: ccardimon -at- M-S-G -dot- com; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Technical Writer or Documentation Writer?

Craig,

A few years ago, I was a Documentation Writer. It was a title given by HR
types to technical writers who did not work directly in the IT department.
At the time I was given the title of Documentation Writer, I was the sole
technical writer in a training department. Not only did I write the training
manuals, but I had to design the documents using Desktop Publishing software
for publication. In many cases, I also published the training manuals.

It's like a jack-of-all-trades type writing position.

Be seeing you,

Will
====================================
Will Husa
> Technical Writer of User Friendly Procedure Manuals and HTML Help <
> Increasing Profits through Clear Communication <
Phone: 630.668.0333
Cellular: 708.927.3569
www.4techwriter.com
====================================
------Orginal Message---------------
I've heard myself and what I do here referred to in different ways.
Coworkers might not know what a "technical writer" does, but they all nod
when they hear the word "documentation writer."
Opinions?
-- Craig

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Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
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