RE: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken

["Michael West" <mbwest -at- bigpond -dot- com>]

I wrote:

> As someone else posted here not long ago 
> (possibly upthread), just about anything can 
> be called "communicating." So in that sense, 
> yes -- we all do it. The real difficulty for most 
> of us is in matching the intention and the outcome.

Just to be clear, by "outcome" I'm not referring to putting words on paper
(or equivalent). That's not what I get paid to do.

The outcomes I'm referring to are the cognitive and behavioural effects upon
the target audience. 

I see it this way. "Writing" is setting down words.

"Communicating", in its useful form, is getting the right information in the
right form to the right person at the right time resulting in the right
behavioural or cognitive outcome.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is the money shot. Anyone here think it's easy?

--
Mike West
Melbourne Australia

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.