Authors: Hart, Hillary; Conklin, James

Source: Technical Communication, Volume 53, Number 4, November 2006 , pp. 395-415(21)

Publisher: Society for Technical Communication

Abstract:

Recent studies of technical communication practice have suggested that writing documents is no longer the focus of technical-communication work. To test these suggestions and our own suspicion that technical communication work is now richly multi-dimensional, we conducted a series of focus groups of experienced practitioners. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the results confirm that, while technical communicators still write documents for internal and external clients, they spend at least equal amounts of time working on teams and planning and facilitating communication processes, not just products. These findings have implications for the metaphors by which technical communicators and their employers conceive of technical communication work and its value. The images and metaphors we collected suggest that successful communicators are functioning or poised to function at the core of their companies' business and strategic processes. These findings also have implications for technical communication curricula, which must ensure that their courses and projects are educating technical communicators for this new, dynamic, participative work.

Document Type: Journal article

Publication date: 2006-11-01

More about this publication?

• Technical Communication, the Society's journal, publishes articles about the practical application of technical communication theory and serves as a common arena for discussion by practitioners. Technical Communication includes both quantitative and qualitative research while showcasing the work of some of the field's most noteworthy writers. Among its most popular features are the helpful book reviews. Technical Communication is published quarterly and is free with membership.
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