Technical Writing

Technical Writing

Course Description

Technical writing is unique because of its specialized content. It must convey objectivity and reach both technical and non-technical audiences with exactness and clarity. Along with writing emails, letters, and reports, the technical writer must be able to prepare definitions, physical descriptions, product specifications, procedures, test and laboratory results, and many other kinds of documents.

This workshop offers you a battery of tools and techniques to help you jumpstart the writing process on any challenging technical writing endeavor. You will learn ways to defeat writer’s block, procrastination, and writer’s anxiety and develop a better understanding of readers’ needs and expectations. You will also discover principles and approaches covering a broad range of industries and topics and get hands-on experience improving your technical writing ESP—efficiency, sufficiency, and proficiency. In addition, you will receive expert feedback on your work from an experienced writing consultant to help fine-tune your new skills.

Course Objectives

• Distinguish Among the Elements of Technical Documents
• Create a Full Range of Technical Documents with a Solid Structure
• Use Templates to Jumpstart the Writing Process
• Use Techniques for Overcoming Writer’s Block
• Evaluate Technical Data Based on the Writer’s Purpose and the Reader’s Concerns
• Prepare Detailed Messages with a Style for Technical and Nontechnical Writers
• Structure the Format to Enhance Presentation and Ideas
• Use Linking Words and Phrases in Sentences and Paragraphs
• Apply Best Practices for Displaying Visual Information
• Edit Language for Precision, Clarity, and Conciseness
• Choose Language for Appropriateness
• Summarize Complex Issues with Authority

Course Modules

Lesson 1 – The Territory: Employing the Standards of Effective Technical Writing

• Distinguish Among the Elements of Technical Writing
• Create the Full Range of Technical Documents with a Solid Structure
• Decide on the Best Organization Pattern for Conveying Technical Information

Lesson 2 – The Task: Getting Started Efficiently

• Use Techniques for Overcoming Writer’s Block
• Evaluate Technical Data Based on the Writer’s Purpose and the Readers’ Concerns

Lesson 3 – The Techniques: Organizing Messages Strategically

• Structure the Format to Enhance Presentations and Ideas
• Use Linking Words and Phrases in Sentences and Paragraphs
• Apply Best Practices for Displaying Visual Information

Lesson 4 – The Tweaks: Achieving Precision, Clarity, and Conciseness

• Edit Language for Precision, Clarity, Conciseness
• Choose Language for Appropriateness
• Summarize Complex Issues with Authority