Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jul 2020

A Day in the Life: Personas of Professional Communicators at Work

Eva Brumberger ; Claire Lauer Arizona State University

Abstract

This article uses personas to illustrate the range of technical communication knowledge work developed through its practitioners—to articulate the functions, characteristics, traits, skills, and workplace styles of positions someone in the field might pursue. Recent research has provided valuable data about the expanding and evolving skill sets of the technical/professional communicator. We build on that by triangulating the data from an analysis of job postings, a survey of technical communicators, and interviews and embedded observations of practitioners to develop personas of technical/professional communicators on the job. The personas can help students, programs, and practitioners understand and navigate the many types of roles that are available in the field.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2020-07-01
DOI
10.1177/0047281619868723
Open Access
Closed
Topics
technical communication voice and style

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

  1. Willers (2025)
    Lessons from a “Scholar on Fire” for a World on Fire: A Framework to Position T…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Hsiao (2024)
    Professional Critical Consciousness: Bridging Classroom Theory with Workplace P…
    Technical Communication Quarterly

Cites in this index (3)

  1. Lauer et al. (2019)
    Redefining Writing for the Responsive Workplace
    College Composition and Communication
  2. Getto et al. (2017)
    Mapping Personas: Designing UX Relationships for an Online Coastal Atlas
    Computers and Composition
  3. Blythe et al. (2014)
    Professional and Technical Communication in a Web 2.0 World
    Technical Communication Quarterly
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CrossRef global citation count: 10 View in citation network →

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