Defining Technical/Professional Writing

Dear Dr. Bushman,

Technical and professional writers have attempted numerous times to define what the technical and professional writing field should consist of, which aspects it should focus on, and where lines should be drawn before crossing into other niches like scientific writing. As it stands now, there are several conflicting points of view. One particular view suggests that there is a universal language possible and that there can be no room for misunderstandings if the correct words are chosen.

In the essay “A Humanistic Rationale for Technical Writing”, Professor Carolyn Miller of North Carolina State University explains that for a sort of universal language to be possible, it would need to be completely objective and devoid of any emotional verbiage (17). To be sure, the idea of a universal language is a view I subscribed to for a time. Believing along the same lines as Professor Elizabeth Tebeaux of Texas A&M University, that the only things I needed to learn were simply utilitarian technical writing skills (823), I imagined that all one needed to thrive in the technical and professional writing field was a large collection of words and objectivity from the readers, but I have since learned that much more is necessary if one is to prosper. A certain amount of psychological insight is useful in identifying the reader and comprehending their needs and desires, and a competent knowledge of design basics can really give a project life.

During the time I have worked as an intern with Writers’ Slate publication, I have had the chance to view some great opportunities available to us. One such opportunity would be to add an additional technical and professional writer to the publication team. Typically, technical writing is associated with very concise language being used to convey a certain concept or idea; however, since the majority of Writers’ Slate content is submitted by outside contributors, the technical writer’s role here is redefined. As the Writers’ Slate intern, I have spent time drafting acceptance letters, editing submissions, and working with authors to achieve a final product. My duties also included order selection of final pieces, a magazine redesign, and a degree of customer service.

When searching for a technical and professional writer that will fit Writers’ Slate magazine best, it is important not to discount the value of humanities experience. Humanities courses are considered to be those that examine the way in which humans conduct themselves, such as art, literature, history, and more. Choosing a technical and professional writer that has been educated in some of these fields can be immensely helpful for Writers’ Slate, where one person bears responsibility for many varied aspects of the publication. As Miller once again explains, the technical writer’s success is based in their culmination of knowledge, both practical and rhetorical, from all aspects of life (20). Obviously knowledge of language and keen perception of how plots in literature proceed are necessary, but an understanding of art and graphic design would make the design of the magazine easier and less time-consuming than for a writer with little to no experience. For these reasons and more, there is value in a technical and professional writer from a humanities department.

Sources:

Allen, Jo. "The Case Against Defining Technical Writing".

Dobrin, David N. "What's Technical About Technical Writing?"

Miller, Carolyn R. "A Humanistic Rationale for Technical Writing", "Carolyn Miller Responds", and "What's Practical About Technical Writing?"

Tebeaux, Elizabeth. “Let's Not Ruin Technical Writing Too: A Comment on the Essays of Carolyn Miller and Elizabeth Harris”.