In situ. Glacial till. Nephelometric turbidity unit
Technical reports contain a variety of terms to define and explain the science behind a consultant’s work. All these terms must be researched, marshalled, and then clearly communicated to a wide variety of audiences. A regulator, city planner, lawyer, farmer, homeowner – sometimes all of the above – are counting on the writing to clearly explain their path forward. The scientists and engineers behind these words do have help in their mission for clarity – technical editors.
Technical Editors Kristen Legg, Jen Koogler,Hannah Garrison, and Marcy McAuliffe before their panel
Photo Credit: Hannah Garrison
Recently, at the Northwest Editor’s Guild biannual Red Pencil conference, a group of technical editors discussed the interesting career path of an editor in the science and engineering industry. Aspect’s Jen Koogler moderated the panel, which included Kristen Legg, Managing Editor at Floyd Snider; Hannah Garrison, Technical Editor at Anchor QEA; and Marcy McAuliffe, owner of McAuliffe Technical Editing Services.
The discussion covered a variety of technical editing topics, including:
Using queries and redlines – asking questions and explaining your methods/thoughts
Light touch vs. heavier touch with edits
Style guide (using it as a “common ground” resource)
Being curious and thinking critically
Building trust over time
Career paths for editors
The panel created a tipsheet that covers some tips on how to break into technical editing as a career. See that here.
Thank you to our participating panelists and companies — Anchor QEA, Floyd Snider, and McAuliffe Technical Editing Services