Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken

[Beth Agnew]

I think the terminology does need to evolve in that direction. Employers 
look for writers or even technical writers because that's traditionally 
been the title of people who have performed those functions. It worked 
in the 20th century but is insufficient for 21st century information age 
needs. The lines are indeed blurry, but I think there are some core 
competencies that we could identify as being the hallmarks of that 
creature the Technical Communicator that other types of writers or 
communicators or technical people do not possess. If we could agree on 
those, she says idealistically, perhaps we'd have an easier time on the 
advocacy and PR side of things.
--Beth

John Hedtke wrote:
> FWIW, we were discussing this at the January STC Board of Directors 
> meeting.  We'd like to move the terminology from "technical writers" 
> to "technical communicators," in large part because we do more than 
> just write.  The lines between what's business writing vs. technical 
> writing are a bit blurry, but, then, so are the lines between many 
> other similar job titles in our field.
>   
>