Are You Careering in Control?  

If you're having difficulty as a technical communicator finding the right career advancement path, then you're not alone; many technical communicators struggle with the problem of controlling their careers. It sometimes appears easier to let others make decisions about where, for whom, on what and how you work. Technical communicators often go 'where the work is' rather than assess the dynamics of the marketplace and determine where they can add the most value. The reality is that you have the power to control your own career and that you can make conscious decisions, build a plan based on those decisions and implement that plan. As a technical communicator, you can use the same skill set that entrepreneurs use to take advantage of the marketplace and to create the career opportunities that you want.

Simmons, Laurel R. STC Proceedings (2003). Careers>TC

Argumenteren Over Lezersproblemen: Is Consensus Haalbaar?

Kunnen experts het met elkaar eens worden over de vraag of een lezersprobleem aannemelijk is en of dat probleem ernstig is? Uit menig onderzoek is gebleken dat beoordelaars sterk van elkaar verschillen in hun oordelen over tekstkwaliteit. In dit artikel wordt verslag gedaan van een poging om met behulp van de Delphi-methode consensus te bereiken tussen beoordelaars. In het eerste deel van het artikel wordt duidelijk dat op deze manier consensus niet haalbaar is, hoewel de mate van overeenstemming wel enigszins stijgt. In het tweede deel analyseren we de argumenten die beoordelaars aandragen voor de stelling dat een probleem (on)aannemelijk en wel of niet ernstig is. Vijf typen minder adequate argumentatiepatronen worden met behulp van voorbeelden toegelicht.

Lentz, Leo and Menno D.T. de Jong. Universiteit Stellenbosch Taalsentrum (2002). (Afrikaans) Articles>Rhetoric>TC

Aristotelian Rhetorical Theory as a Framework for Teaching Scientific and Technical Communication    

Classical rhetorical theory has been used for relatively discrete, practice-oriented purposes in its application to teaching Scientific and Technical Communication. However effective these appropriations are, they isolate these resources from a comprehensive framework and from that framework's role in shaping disciplinary practice. Because these theoretical assets are integral to each student's preparation to be an effective, responsible practitioner, I have developed and taught an upper level rhetorical theory course for STC majors that is grounded in Aristotle s <em>On Rhetoric</em> and in his understanding that effective communication is a systematic <em>tekhne</em>/art.

Newman, Sara. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication (1999). Articles>Education>TC>Rhetoric

Arthur Levitt and the SEC: Promoting Plain English  

Intercom's assistant editor profiles a recent recipient of STC's President's Award. The Securities and Exchange Commission was honored for requiring plain English in all disclosure statements filed with the SEC.

Nielan, Cate. Intercom (2000). Articles>TC>History>Minimalism

An Articulation of a Fragmented Discipline: A Postmodern Conception of Formalism and Rhetoric in Professional Communication

If a single course is to be an effective representation of the discipline it should hope to include rhetoric, critical thinking, formalism, service learning, and civic rhetoric to, depending on how effectively so much can be managed within a semester.

Hicks, Tim. Orange Journal, The (2005). Articles>TC>Theory

As Simple As Possible...And No Simpler  

A PowerPoint presentation about the difficulties of categorizing technical communication. It's not an easy thing to do, if the journals and textbooks in our own field don't consistently agree as to the major and minor categories. This PDF version of a PowerPoint presentation outlines the issues confronted by the EServer TC Library as it attempts to create a system of categories for its index of thousands of works in the fields of technical, scientific and professional communication.

Sauer, Geoffrey. ATTW (2005). Presentations>TC>Taxonomy

As the Paradigm Shifts: Skills Technical Communications Will Need in the Coming Ice Age  

Forces are converging in the mid-90's that threaten to change the shape of technical communication forever. This paper-attempts to examine a few important manifestations of the coming ICE age (Information, Communication, Entertainment): business pressures to shrink documentation; a manifesto to move from paper to online documentation; a growing emphasis on making the user successful; a convergence of documentation and training; and the explosion of multimedia/interactive media. This paper then predicts what new skills technical communicators must develop in order to remain marketable -- and grasp opportunity -- during this period of great change.

Cheirrett, Peg A. STC Proceedings (1995). Careers>TC

Ashes or Phoenix? Technical Communication or Information Design?  

The results of a study of 28 New Zealand technical communicators show that practitioners in this country are undergoing the same role redefinition as their colleagues in the US. New Zealand practitioners are no longer just 'wordsmiths' but are using a wide range of multimedia skills to design and produce user-ready information products. Practitioners were interviewed to find out what their roles were, how their roles had changed and what skills they believed were essential to be a successful technical communicator. The results revealed a group of highly motivated problem solvers and a profession that is evolving to use the core competencies of information design with new strength and energy.

Reynolds, Alison. STC Proceedings (2002). Careers>TC>Regional>New Zealand

Asian Cultural Backgrounds for International Technical Communication  

The communication styles of Asian people have often been seen by Westerners as part of a single, unified 'Oriental culture.' However, there are observable differences in communication strategies among them, mainly Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans. The present research attempts to reveal the deep structure of their thinking and behavior that affects writing styles in international technical communication. Its purpose is to overcome stereotypes, and to understand better similarity and diversity within East Asian countries.

Otsuka, Yoshihiro, Kenji Hitomi and Eiichi Yubune. STC Proceedings (2005). Articles>TC>International>Asia

Assistive Listening Systems: Crucial For Skilled Listeners With a Hearing Loss  

Technical communicators are skilled listeners. Whether interviewing subject matter experts or working on teams, good communication is essential. But if you have a hearing loss, assistive listening systems (ALSs) can help.

Vinegar, Judy A. STC Proceedings (2003). Articles>TC>Accessibility>Audio

The Association of Teachers of Technical Writing  

The Association of Teachers of Technical Writing was formed in 1973 to encourage dialogue among teachers of technical communication and to develop technical communication as an academic discipline. ATTW today has approximately 1,000 members and includes both graduate and undergraduate students of technical communication as well as professional technical communicators in business and industry.

ATTW. Organizations>Education>TC>Technical Writing

L'Associazione Italiana per la Comunicazione Tecnica

COM&TEC è l'associazione italiana per la comunicazione tecnica. Il suo obiettivo è quello di fornire supporto sia ai professionisti della comunicazione e della documentazione tecnica che a quelli della traduzione e localizzazione. L'associazione mira a creare maggiore consapevolezza in merito all'importanza della documentazione tecnica di buona qualità e svolge a tal fine attività di sensibilizzazione ed indirizzo per l'intero settore.

Ricci, Ottavio. COMTEC (2005). (Italian) Organizations>TC>Regional>Italy

Assumptions About Technical Communication Programs  

Survey data indicate that current academic programs in technical communication exhibit more differences than similarities in requirements, student support, faculty, schedule, and student support. Moreover, current programs are vigorous, continue to increase, and exhibit three primary needs: increased budgets, more new faculty, and increased involvement with industry.

Rainey, Kenneth T. STC Proceedings (1995). Articles>Education>TC

At the Heart of Information Ecologies: Invisibility and Technical Communication    

The ecological metaphor for technological systems provides a useful supplement to others dealing with the question of human control over technologies. However, it fails to develop adequately its own reliance on communication as the means whereby human values may be embedded in technologies, or to recognize the role of professional communicators in that process.

Ranney, Frances J. Journal of Computer Documentation (2000). Articles>Information Design>TC

Attending an STC Conference on a Shoestring Budget

Companies are reducing their training budgets. During these austere times, the technical writer must get more creative than ever to participate in the annual conference. An informal survey of attendees at the 50th Annual Conference in Dallas showed that many people paid their own way to the conference. There are numerous ways to reduce the cost to attend the conference.

Bine, Katharyn. Usability Interface (2003). Articles>TC>Professionalism>STC

ATTW Bibliography (1997)  

In the 1997 bibliography, I’ve included all the categories of the taxonomy, even if the contributors have submitted no entries in a given section. Several users informed me that they prefer to see the entire taxonomy since doing so facilitates their research; thus it seemed wise to return to our original list of sections. This year, we have added quite a few new sources; all are noted on the list of works consulted at the end of this bibliography. We have expanded in the areas of health, risk, and environmental communication publications; we continue last year’s trend of fewer entries in editing, revision, and the general writing aspect of the profession. No new categories have been added.

ATTW (1997). Resources>Bibliographies>TC

ATTW Bibliography (1998)  

The ATTW Bibliography is at a point of transition with a new editor and a request from the ATTW Executive Committee to publish an online version of the bibliography on the ATTW Web site. In the next few months, the bibliography committee plans to focus on the design and content of an online bibliography. The goal is to build a bibliography that provides easy and up-to-date access to technical communication resources.

ATTW (1998). Resources>Bibliographies>TC

ATTW Bibliography (1999)  

The bibliography committee began the year with three goals: (1) explore the development of an online database for the bibliography, (2) survey members of ATTW at the annual meeting, and (3) continue to publish the annual bibliography in TCQ.

ATTW (1999). Resources>Bibliographies>TC

ATTW Bibliography (2000)  

Committee members since 1975 have reviewed periodicals and books for discussions of technical communication issues to build the bibliography to a significant resource for technical communication.

ATTW (2000). Resources>Bibliographies>TC

ATTW Bibliography (2001)  

Each year a committee of technical communication teachers and researchers review journals and books for work important to our activities. This year two graduate students joined the committee.

ATTW (2001). Resources>Bibliographies>TC

ATTW Bibliography (2002)

Members of ATTW refer to the bibliography because it 'focuses on resources specific to technical communication.' Several members noted that they find the paper copy easier to use than online databases; others use the pdf version found on the ATTW website. Members also noted that it is a good reference for graduate students. Several members pointed out weaknesses in the bibliography that the committee continues to struggle with.

ATTW (2002). Resources>Bibliographies>TC

ATTW Members Directory  

This section of the site contains a listing of current ATTW members who have registered, including contact information. It is accessible to ATTW members only.

ATTW. Resources>Education>TC>Community

Austin T. Brown Technical Communication Scholarship Competition

The Washington, DC Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication (STC) invites high school students in the Washington metropolitan area to submit entries to its annual Austin T. Brown Technical Communication Scholarship Competition. The Chapter sponsors this competition to encourage the development of technical writing skills among students in grades 10, 11, and 12.

STC Washington D.C. (2002). Academic>Scholarships>TC

Austin's Technical Documentation Focus Group: An Industry/Academic Partnership In Action  

Austin's Technical Documentation Focus Group represents an innovative collaboration between major area publications departments and academia. Designed to provide a networking forum on current publications, the group is managed by its one not-for-profit member, Austin Community College's Department of Technical Communication.

Dunlap, Johnny L., Deborah J. Rosenquist and Katherine E. Staples. STC Proceedings (1994). Articles>Collaboration>TC

The Australian Society for Technical Communication

The ASTC is a non-profit society, based in Victoria, for technical writers and other professionals involved in the communication of technical information.

ASTC. Organizations>TC>Regional>Australia