Job Definition
The term 'Technical Writer' or 'Technical Communicator' is in some ways a catch-all for a wide variety of occupations.
The public at large generally thinks of a Technical Writer generally as someone who creates those tedious manuals that people turn to as a last resort when they are setting up their new DVD player or stereo system. You know, those people that sit there and crank out all the details about a product that most of us don't bother reading unless we really get stuck. (Much easier to pick up that phone, right, and call your geeky brother-in-law for help?)]However, today's Technical Writer is involved in everything from high-level engineering specifications to curriculum development to software and online help systems.
Given the wide range of occupations available to Technical Writers, the skill set required for this function is tough to nail down. Read below for more information on this job definition, then check out the other categories at the bottom of the page for more information.