Affiliate Program

Introduction to Technical Writing

Mary Anne Donovan

Course ID: LC009

Current Openings: Yes

Do you love writing but have a hard time making a living at it? Consider the field of Technical Communications where you can do what you love and make good money doing it. Boring? No way. Here is the ultimate challenge: find ways to deliver information while engaging your reader's interest and attention.

Or perhaps you are in business, writing proposals and other documentation every day! This course will help you correct any problems with as well as fine-tune your writing skills.

This course is designed to help you explore the field of technical communications and hone your writing skills, including the following:

  • Basic skills
  • Process
  • Finding work

Click here to pay via PayPal! (No account required!)

Course Type:

Private Mentoring

Objective:

When you have completed this program, you will be able to:

  • Write an effective proposal or set of instructions
  • Demonstrate the process of technical communications
  • Explain the importance of tone and style in technical communications
  • Initiate the process of finding work as a Technical Communications Specialist

Learner Prerequisites

A good, working knowledge of Microsoft Word.

Start Date Ongoing, open enrollment.
Duration 6 lessons at your pace.
Limit N/A
Class Materials Participant Guide will be supplied by the instructor.
Cost $180
Tutorial Option Additional mentoring and critiquing is available from the instructor. The fee is $45 per hour. Please contact wlc-dean@writinglearningcentre.com to register.

Course Outline

Lesson 1: Introduction and Overview

  • What is Technical Communication?
  • Why is it important?
  • Exercise: Find a piece of technical communication

Lesson 2: The Complexity of Writing

  • Communication analysis
  • The writing process
  • Newsletter exercise

Lesson 3: The Nitty Gritty

  • Style and tone
  • Structure
  • Editing exercise

Lesson 4: Designing for Effectiveness

  • Designing your documents
  • Writing proposals
  • Writing instructions and procedures
  • Exercise: Design your project

Lesson 5: The Digital Slate

  • Writing for digital media
  • Digital communication: Instant messaging, Email, Chat rooms
  • Workshop

Lesson 6: Usability Issues

  • Planning for usability
  • Testing documentation effectiveness
  • Your career in technical communications

Instructor Bio

Mary Anne has been teaching at St. John Fisher College in both graduate and undergraduate programs for the past nine years, with a specialty in business, technical and professional communications. In addition, she is the Chief Editor of Writer Online, a professional ezine for writers and lovers of writing.

Mary Anne has over twenty years experience in corporate and business communications including technical writing, instructional design, marketing communications and internet instructional design, serving in both corporate staff functions as well as an independent contractor and consultant for national firms including Kodak, Xerox, Metropolitan Life, Motorola, and others.

As a writer and author, Mary Anne has also published numerous articles in publications including Workforce magazine, Rochester Business Journal, Building Operating Management, Equus, Equine Journal, and Writer's Digest. She has written two books: Zen and the Art of Horseback Riding, and coauthored Retraining the Harness Racehorse. Mary Anne is finishing her master's degree in liberal studies with a concentration in digital virtual literacy from Empire State College.