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Fundamentals of Technical Writing
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| Price: |
$99.00 |
| Business Focus: |
Writing & Publishing |
| Instructor: |
Janet Underwood |
| Course Code: |
tec |
| Delivery Method: |
Instructor-led Online Course |
| Frequently Asked Questions |
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| Course Overview: |
| Do you have a knack for explaining complex subjects in a way that makes them easy to understand? If so, you should consider entering the well-paying field of technical writing. This course will teach you the skills you need to succeed as a technical writer. You will learn how to translate complex information into easily understood language, and how to become a wizard at marrying the art of publishing with the science of technology. You'll learn the secrets of successful technical writers, including technical writing conventions, interviewing skills, desktop publishing and formatting techniques, key tips for developing graphics and templates, documentation management, and how to publish documents both on paper and electronically. You'll also learn how to get your first job as a technical writer, plus tricks of the trade that enable you to create high-quality documentation with less work. |
| Instructor Biography: |
| Janet Underwood holds a bachelor's degree and has more than ten years of experience as a senior technical writer. She has developed technical documentation for major corporations in the computer, information technology, telecommunications, financial, and medical industries, as well as for the U.S. Army and public utilities organizations. She has also worked as an English teacher and as an editor and writer for several internationally known trade publications. She has won numerous awards for the excellence of her writing and documentation design, and currently owns a technical writing and services business. |
| Course Syllabus: |
| Lesson 1 Syllabus |
Technical writing is a relatively new profession, but people have been writing technical documents for centuries. In our first lesson, you'll learn the fascinating history of technical writing, plus how the instructor (and many others) became technical writers and how technical writing employs both the logical and creative sides of your brain. |
| Lesson 2 Syllabus |
Technical writing requires preparation. In this lesson, you'll learn the basics of project management for your documentation project (including average amounts of time you should dedicate to different writing activities), key questions to help you analyze your reading audience, and how to organize the information you gather. |
| Lesson 2 Objective |
In this lesson, students will learn about the history of technical writing, the kinds of documents they will write, and how to think like a technical writer. |
| Lesson 3 Syllabus |
In today's lesson, you'll learn powerful communication skills that will help you get the information you need. You'll find out how to develop your listening skills and use body language that keeps you alert and encourages the people you're interviewing to talk with you. You'll also learn how to ask questions that help you get the answers you need more efficiently, and how to apply principles of adult learning when you're analyzing the information you've gathered. |
| Lesson 3 Objective |
In this lesson, students will learn how to develop a basic project plan, analyze their reading audience, and organize their files. |
| Lesson 4 Syllabus |
Do you ever get writer's block? Most writers do! Today you'll learn how to shut off your internal editor and give yourself permission to write your first draft more quickly and easily. You'll learn tips that will help you keep writing even when you realize you don't have all of the information you need, plus you'll have more confidence after you finish the grammar and punctuation review in this lesson, which includes tips about how to make your writing more interesting. |
| Lesson 4 Objective |
In this lesson, students will learn how to ask questions in an interview, how to be active listeners, and how to analyze information. |
| Lesson 5 Syllabus |
Every profession has rules and conventions that separate the novices from the pros. In this lesson, you'll learn all about time-honored technical writing conventions, such as using parallel structure, an inverted pyramid style of writing, effective headings, and lists. |
| Lesson 5 Objective |
In this lesson, students will learn how to overcome writer's block and review the basics of grammar and punctuation. |
| Lesson 6 Syllabus |
Should you save your graphics as bitmaps, gifs, or jpgs? In this lesson, we'll go over the difference between the most popular graphics file formats and guidelines for using each. You'll also learn about a new file format called PNG, and how to create screenshots on your PC, then manipulate your shots in Windows' Paint, saving you the expense of far more costly graphics programs. |
| Lesson 6 Objective |
In this lesson, students will learn about the inverted pyramid writing style, parallel structure, headings, and lists. |
| Lesson 7 Syllabus |
Formatting your document can be critical to its success. In this lesson, you'll learn how to choose the typeface or typefaces you want to use and principles for using type effectively in your document. You'll learn about the things you need to keep in mind when laying out your pages. We'll take a look at some layouts that are commonly used in technical documents, then we'll discuss how to achieve those layouts using Microsoft Word. |
| Lesson 7 Objective |
In this lesson, students will learn about different graphics file formats, how to create screen shots, and how to use Paint. |
| Lesson 8 Syllabus |
Microsoft Word has nearly a 93-percent market share for PC-based word processing—it's the de facto standard for most corporations and government agencies. So chances are high that you'll use it at some time in your technical writing career. In fact, most companies require that you be proficient with Word when considering you for technical writing positions. So in this lesson, you'll learn how Microsoft Word is different from other word-processing applications and how to use, modify, and create Word's paragraph styles. |
| Lesson 8 Objective |
In this lesson, students will learn how to choose a typeface and format their documentation. |
| Lesson 9 Syllabus |
When companies use Microsoft Word for their documentation, they expect you to know how to use and create Word templates. In this lesson, you'll learn quick ways to build templates, plus you'll learn some Word skills that will help you dazzle potential employers, such as recording macros, customizing your toolbar, and using cross-references, AutoText, and captions. |
| Lesson 9 Objective |
In this lesson, students will learn how to use Microsoft Word features such as paragraph styles, heading styles and how to generate a table of contents. |
| Lesson 10 Syllabus |
Did you know that indexes are the most widely read section in any technical document? In today's lesson, we'll review indexing conventions, and I'll provide a few tips on building a great index for your document. You'll also learn how to use Microsoft Word to make indexing a bit easier. |
| Lesson 10 Objective |
In this lesson, students will learn how to create Microsoft Word templates and record macros. They also will learn how to use cross-references, captions, and AutoText. |
| Lesson 11 Syllabus |
To polish your document and make it the best it can be, you need to proofread it and edit it. In today's lesson, you'll learn tips from professional proofreaders and editors, as well as ways you can use Microsoft Word to help you check your spelling and grammar. |
| Lesson 11 Objective |
In this lesson, students will learn indexing conventions and how to generate an index in Microsoft Word. |
| Lesson 12 Syllabus |
Publishing your document is an exciting time. All of your hard work is almost done—or is it? In our final lesson, you'll learn about different printing options and how to work with printers. You'll also learn about future trends in publishing and how your documents may be distributed in the future. Last, we'll talk about different ways you can use your technical writing skills in the job market, and a four-step plan for getting your first job, as well as some ideas about freelancing. Questions are always encouraged! |
| Lesson 12 Objective |
In this lesson, students will learn how to use Microsoft Word's spelling checker and grammar checker, how to proofread, and how to edit documents. |
