The Field of Technical Editing
http://www.mercer.edu/engineering/UNDERGRAD_PROGRAMS/TCO/revised/Technical Editing.pdf

Wofford, Tracey Norden
Mercer University
2002

Abstract:

Technical editing is more than checking spelling and grammar of a document; it is a professional career. Both employer and employee can benefit from the skills involved. This report is designed to inform those associated with technical communication – including current students, potential students, their parents, professionals/practitioners, other schools, and employers – about the purpose and function of technical editors. The information in this report came from many sources. Mostly, I used websites from professional societies such as the Technical Editing Special Interest Group (TE SIG). I also interviewed two expert technical editors: Diane Feldman – the manager of the TE SIG – and Julia Neunreiter – the newsletter editor for the TE SIG. In this report, I will discuss the role of the editor, the types of editors, advice for starting in the field of editing, advice for dissipating negative opinions about editors, information about trends in the technical editing field, and the benefits to companies and editors.