RE: Definition

You put forth an interesting question, Hayley, though a difficult one. Putting a definition on something, as you say, is very limiting, so let us try to define this profession as broadly as possible so as to give ourselves room to grow and change. First, let's look at each word separately.

technical

1.	belonging or pertaining to an art, science, or the like: technical skill.

2.	peculiar to or characteristic of a particular art, science, profession, trade, etc.: technical details.

3.	using terminology or treating subject matter in a manner peculiar to a particular field, as a writer or a book: a technical report.

4.	skilled in or familiar in a practical way with a particular art, trade, etc., as a person.

communication

1.	the act or process of communicating; fact of being communicated.

2.	the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs.

3.	something imparted, interchanged, or transmitted.

4.	a document or message imparting news, views, information, etc.

-- dictionary.com

When I think of the word "technical," I think of something that requires specialized knowledge. This could be almost any discipline, from medicine to computers to the environment. Even what I do (edit social studies textbooks) requires specialized knowledge. Though I don't think of myself as a technical communicator, per se, my job seems to fit under that description.

And "communication" obviously covers a wide range of media: brochures, manuals, books, magazines, press releases, newspapers, websites, blogs, speeches and presentations, and even textbooks.

So I suppose my best stab at a definition would be:
Technical communication is the act of imparting specialized information to a given audience through a wide array of media.

Can I get any more vague?

Defining Technical Communication

“Well, somebody has to do that job!” is the common response I often receive after explaining, to the best of my ability, the profession I have chosen—Technical Communication. The reaction often leaves me wondering if I am successful in attempting to give explanation to the field. Over time, I think I stopped trying to define it altogether. How can a person identify each and every point of correlation where technology meets the written word?

Defining technical communication is difficult because a single definition cannot take into account all of the aspects that define the profession. By trying to define it, we limit it. For the purposes of study, however, we need definitions, even reductive ones. People outside of the profession need clarification about what technical communicators do if for no other reason then to provide the foundation for professional standing in their discipline.

I have heard that “the future is bright” for technical communicators. New technologies are continually being developed and there will always be a need for someone to explain them. Unfortunately, when people attempt to define the skills of technical writers, they often ask, “What software do you know?” Of course this is a result of technical writing taking advantage of the latest technologies, however, it does not take into account writing techniques, audience analysis, design, or even usability testing. Keeping this in mind, I find it necessary to establish a common definition that will assist in promoting the status of the profession to ensure its dynamic future. Any suggestions?

Socrates on Writing - A Historical Perspective

In his work, The Phaedrus, Plato offers insight into his teacher’s views on writing.

Socrates: Writing, you know, Phaedrus, has this strange quality about it, which makes it really like painting: the painter's products stand before us quite as though they were alive; but if you question them, they maintain a solemn silence. So, too, with written words: you might think they spoke as though they made sense, but if you ask them anything about what they are saying, if you wish an explanation, they go on telling you the same thing, over and over forever. Once a thing is put in writing, it rolls about all over the place, falling into the hands of those who have no concern with it just as easily as under the notice of those who comprehend; it has no notion of whom to address or whom to avoid. And when it is ill-treated or abused as illegitimate, it always needs its father to help it, being quite unable to protect or help itself.

Meet Your Blog Authors

The Write Impression is a place to come and share resources, ideas, and general information about anything related to the world of writing. Hayley and Yana are friends and writers on very different paths here to share their interest, insight, and impressions.

Meet Hayley

I began learning, practicing, and performing technical writing in 1999 when I asked my college advisor the question, "What in the world is technical writing?" Although I eventually earned both my BA and MA degrees in the discipline, I find (like many other working technical communicators) that I continue to ask the same question.

The majority of my writing experience comes from my career as a marketing coordinator and proposal writer for a large engineering firm. I am currently, however, the 37-year-old, stay-at-home mom of a teenager and a toddler, and I am slowly but surely adventuring into the world of freelance technical writing.

Meet Yana

My love of writing came about as a result of my love of reading. I became a serious reader around the age of seven and haven't stopped since. About two years ago, I co-founded a book club with a friend of mine, and it's still going strong. I earned my B.A. in English literature, but as graduation neared, I began wondering what exactly I was going to do with that degree. This led me to pursue a master's in technical writing, which is where I met Hayley.

For the past 6 years, I have been working as an elementary social studies textbook editor. I love the variety and creativity of this job, especially the historical research I do. Occasionally, I've done some freelance editing in various disciplines, and I've edited countless resumes and cover letters for my friends and family. In the future, I hope to continue gaining experience in different areas of editing and publishing.