Journal Entry 7

As with most of the readings assigned in this text, technical communicators have been trying to find a niche for themselves in communication, rhetoric, even science. Viewing the technical communicator as author is another stepping stone for technical writers to be recognized as a discipline within and of itself. Instead of simply being the stand-in for a designer, engineer, or organization, the technical communicator work should possess an autonomy all of its own. “The evidence of . . . hard work is a document that works—without the writer’s bring there to explain.” This is where the technical communicator as author would be applicable, as whatever piece of work he or she does must be able to convey the intended message. I believe at time ethics can be circumstantial. Situation, time, experience, worldview, pressures—all these influence an “ethical” decision. The situation is no different for technical communicators