Understanding The Difference Between Creative And Technical Editors

By Amy King


Most people read books, magazine articles and short stories which have been written by creative writers. When it comes to these publications, most often the writer and editor are the same. Although, some of the most prolific authors have been known to hire editors to assure a book or manuscript relays an important message. Whereas, the job of Technical Editors is to do the same only in publications related to the medical, scientific and technical communities and employees.

Whereas most editing in the creative area is done by assistant or junior staff members. In some cases, writers also outsource editing jobs through a number of freelance websites. Whereas, while there are some technical editing positions available, these positions generally require the individual be on-site. For, the turn around on edits and revisions on the technical side is often quicker than on the creative side.

It is also important that those working in this area have an in-depth knowledge of the information associated with a project. Otherwise, it can often be difficult to assure that the message can reach an intended audience. As there are often a number of different projects over the course of a career, it is also important that these individuals have the ability to learn and adapt to new methods, terms and projects over time.

In most cases, each entity whether a hospital, scientific journal or technology company is going to have a set of guidelines which these individuals follow on a regular basis. While this is the case, these guidelines can vary based on location and whether or not an individual is working in or outside the United States.

Most individuals working in this position check for grammatical accuracy, to assure any content which is factual in nature is correct, and that the intended audience can understand the message behind the writing. In addition, most also check for clarity and concise sentences when it comes to user guides, drawings and specifications. Lastly, most editors are the last link in assuring a document is completed and delivered on time.

Most often, editors review a variety of different documentation for accuracy in explaining various concepts, steps and procedures. Those working in a medical environment are going to need a great deal more knowledge related to medical terminology than those working in other fields. Whereas, those in the scientific and technical areas are generally going to see cross-over terminology on a regular basis.

While not often, there are some individuals whom have excelled rapidly in these positions. As a result, a few of these lucky individuals have been promoted to junior or senior tech writers on a project. In some cases, employers have felt the individual proved oneself to be as good a writer as editor over time. Whereas, in others, an individual may have shown great resolve in editing and communicating information over the course of a project.

Whether working in the medical, scientific or technical area, these positions require individuals who are self-sufficient. For, there are many companies which now allow individuals to work on-site at different times as long as one works the number of hours required per week while meeting deadlines. As such, individuals can often be alone in the office while working on a number of projects, thus the need for a strong sense of independence and self-control.




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