Re: Occupational titles AKA poking the bear with a stick

["Mitchell Maltenfort" <mmalten -at- gmail -dot- com>]

Actually, playwrights write plays.

Technical writer seems the best of a dismal range of options:

Documentation Engineer, Manual Writer, Instructional Writer...

On 11/6/07, Cardimon, Craig <ccardimon -at- m-s-g -dot- com> wrote:
> To further the hornets' nest I stirred up yesterday, salespeople sell
> things. People in marketing bring items to the market so they may be
> sold. So far, so good.
>
>
>
> Writers write. Okay.
>
>
>
> Playwrites write plays. Cool.
>
>
>
> Documentation writers write documentation. Logical enough.
>
>
>
> Novel writers write novels. Good.
>
>
>
> Screenwriters "write" movies. Everyone understands that much.
>
>
>
> Technical writers write technical. Huh?
>
>
>
> When I meet strangers and we give the "what we do" speech, mine elicits
> interest - and confusion.
>
>
>
> They love the "writer" thing - it sounds cool and romantic -- but then
> they go on with why would anyone write "technically" when most people
> can't program their home pc or VCR or DVR or microwave? They don't
> complain
>
>
>
> I have simplified things. In addition to telling people what my list
> friend Dori told me, I will add, "As a technical writer, I write
> documentation for computer applications and other technical things."
>
>
>
> "Technical writer" really needs to be qualified. It amounts to poor
> phrasing.
>
>
>
> -- Craig
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
I can answer any question.
"I don't know" is an answer.
"I don't know yet" is a better answer.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
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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