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Technical Writing in the Digital Age: Difference between revisions
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The need for paperwork ushered in by World War II served as the driving force for the technical writing profession in the United States.{{sfn|Rathbone|1958}} This was a time years before the computer and photocopier became common office equipment. During this period, the role of the technical writer revolved solely around words, and their primary work tools consisted of either a pencil or ink pen and paper. The technical writer would draft the document by hand, and a typist or clerical worker would then use a typewriter to transfer the writer's words into a finished document.{{sfn|Rathbone|1958|p=6}} | The need for paperwork ushered in by World War II served as the driving force for the technical writing profession in the United States.{{sfn|Rathbone|1958}} This was a time years before the computer and photocopier became common office equipment. During this period, the role of the technical writer revolved solely around words, and their primary work tools consisted of either a pencil or ink pen and paper. The technical writer would draft the document by hand, and a typist or clerical worker would then use a typewriter to transfer the writer's words into a finished document.{{sfn|Rathbone|1958|p=6}} | ||
Advances in technology thrust the technical writing profession into a new era. The technical writer's work may now include not only text | Advances in technology thrust the technical writing profession into a new era. The technical writer's work may now include not only text but also images, drawings, and computer-based media. The modern technical writer may also be involved in research and information-gathering, speaking with subject matter experts, and selecting document media and project tools.{{sfn|Macari|2023}} | ||
The projects of today's technical writers range from writing instructions to assemble a living room chair | The projects of today's technical writers range from writing instructions to assemble a living room chair to creating websites.{{sfn|Grimstead|1999}} The titles of today's technical writers may vary as well, such as Information Architects or Documentation Specialists.{{sfn|Grimstead|1999}} | ||
[[File:Bureau of labor statistics.jpg|thumb|Job growth for tech writing projected by the Bureau of Labor]] | [[File:Bureau of labor statistics.jpg|thumb|Job growth for tech writing projected by the Bureau of Labor]] | ||