Online Class: ABCs of Technical Writing
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11Lessons
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16Exams &
Assignments -
9Hours
average time -
0.9CEUs
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Video Audit
Available
Course Description
Demystifying Technical Writing: A Comprehensive Guide
In our technologically-driven world, the ability to convey complex concepts in a clear, concise, and accessible manner is invaluable. Have you ever grappled with assembling a piece of furniture, only to find relief in the user-friendly guide accompanying it? Or perhaps you've navigated a new software application with the aid of an intuitive online help system? These are tangible examples of technical writing, a discipline that bridges the gap between technical experts and the general public.
Course Overview:
Technical writing operates at the intersection of technology and communication. It's a discipline that involves crafting detailed, user-friendly content, whether it's for product manuals, online help systems, or instructional videos. As technology permeates every sector, from healthcare to finance, and from entertainment to agriculture, the demand for skilled technical writers has surged.
Whether you're a professional in a tech-centric industry, a writing enthusiast with a penchant for technology, or someone intrigued by the prospect of a career in technical writing, this course offers a comprehensive introduction to the multifaceted world of technical writing.
Course Highlights:
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What is Technical Writing? Delve into the core principles of technical writing, exploring its significance and wide-ranging applications.
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Projects for Technical Writers: A deep dive into the myriad projects that a technical writer might undertake, from creating user manuals to designing interactive tutorials.
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The Technical Writing Process: A step-by-step guide on structuring, drafting, and refining technical documents.
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How to Write Effectively: Techniques and strategies to ensure clarity, precision, and user-friendliness in your writing.
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Teaching an Alien to Drive: An engaging exercise that challenges you to explain a familiar concept to an unfamiliar audience, emphasizing the importance of perspective in technical writing.
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The First End User, You: The significance of self-review and experiencing the user's journey firsthand.
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Getting It Done: Discover how project management skills are integral to a technical writer's success.
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Words, Pictures, and Links: Explore the diverse formats in which technical content can be presented, from written documents to multimedia.
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Breaking into Technical Writing: Tips and guidance for those eager to launch a career in technical writing.
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The Tech Writer's Toolbox: A compilation of essential tools, software, and resources that can elevate the quality of your work.
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Staying in Touch: Emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and staying updated in this ever-evolving field.
Real-World Implications:
Consider the launch of a revolutionary health-monitoring app. While developers focus on coding and design, it's the technical writer's responsibility to ensure that users can seamlessly navigate the app, understand its features, and utilize it effectively. This might involve creating a detailed FAQ section, interactive video tutorials, or a comprehensive user guide.
Who is this Course For?
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Industry Professionals: Enhance your ability to communicate intricate technical details to clients, stakeholders, and non-technical colleagues.
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Aspiring Writers: Cultivate a specialized skill set that's in high demand across a spectrum of industries.
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Career Changers: Looking for a dynamic, rewarding career? Delve into technical writing and discover a world where technology meets creativity.
In conclusion, as we progress further into a technology-dominated era, the role of a technical writer becomes increasingly central. This course promises not only to introduce you to the foundational concepts of technical writing but also to equip you with practical skills and insights that are immediately applicable in the real world. Dive in, and unravel the art and science of technical writing!
Course Motivation
Some of the fields in which technical writing is commonly needed include the computer and software industries, the consumer and industrial electronics industries, the medical and healthcare fields, and any other area where technical information needs to be disseminated in a readable and understandable form. In the United States and other developed countries, where knowledge industries, whose primary products are information based, companies are faced with the task of organizing and maintaining vast knowledge banks and databases. Companies like Google, for instance, do not produce products but instead package information in useful, usable forms. New content management systems and knowledge management systems are being designed to help companies manage their informational assets. In many cases, technical writers are moving into these roles as well.
Technical Writer or Technical Communicator?
Technical Writing, A Viable Career?
Course Lessons
Lesson 1. What is Technical Writing?
Technical writing is the art and science of translating technical information generated by subject matter experts into readable, accessible information usable by a wider audience.Lesson 2. Projects for Technical Writers
As we've discussed before, nearly every industry involves some technical writing, especially if we include marketing materials under the technical writing umbrella.Lesson 3. The Technical Writing Process
Whether you're writing software manuals, online help, brochures, or scripting a video, the core goals of technical writing remain the same.Lesson 4. How to Write Effectively
At its core, good technical writing is simply good writing about technical topics.Lesson 5. Teaching an Alien to Drive
The challenge in delivering usable information is in knowing what level of detail and complexity is appropriate, and what elements of a given process you can assume that your reader knows and which ones you'll have to explain.Lesson 6. The First End User, You
In this lesson, we'll look at this part of the process in greater detail, and we'll see how the technical writer can add value to the company's product by evaluating its usability as it is being developed.Lesson 7. Getting It Done. Project Management and the Technical Writer
Technical writers often need to manage more than one large project at a time. Developing good project management skills is as important (or more so) than good writing skills.Lesson 8. Words, Pictures, and Links. The Growing Array of Deliverable Formats
As we've seen in earlier lessons, a technical writer's output is not just written manuals anymore. Let's look further at the types of deliverables you as a technical writer could be called upon to produce.Lesson 9. Breaking into Technical Writing
Is a career in technical writing for you? By now we've talked enough about the kind of work that you'd be doing to give you a sense of whether it is the kind of work you might enjoy.Lesson 10. The Tech Writer's Toolbox
What tools do you need to succeed as a technical writer? Often, you need to know whatever tools your company chooses to use.Lesson 11. Staying in Touch
What is the future of technical writing? The answer is interactivity. The phenomenon of Web 2.0 has converted Web surfers into Web content providers. People don't just browse the web anymore, they get involved.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify what technical writing is.
- Identify the types of projects that require technical writers.
- Summarize the technical writing process.
- Write technical materials more effectively.
- Write with the end-user in mind, and not the product owner.
- Demonstrate time management skills to complete a project.
- Evaluate your technical writing.
- Identify the best resources for finding technical writing projects.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information
- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Student Testimonials
- "Great course and nice instruction." -- David M.
- "The lessons were very clear and helpful." -- Julianna Z.
- "The instructor was so helpful." -- Anchal N.
- "I really enjoyed working with the instructor. I found the writing assignments most helpful. Practicing specific writing skills is the best way to learn technical writing." -- Paul S.
- "Excellent!" -- Jeannine S.
- "It was a good overview, which is exactly what I was looking for. I enjoyed your classes. Thank you." -- Beth B.
- "Everything was great." -- Nancy M.
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