Course description
Effective Technical Writing
Technical writing is unique because of its specialized content. It must convey objectivity and reach both technical and nontechnical 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 seminar 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, as well as how to develop a better understanding of readers’ needs and expectations. You will also discover principles and approaches that cover 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.
Upcoming start dates
Who should attend?
Engineers, scientists, IT/computer personnel and people in R&D and other technical areas who wish to enhance their technical writing skills in order to better communicate with their audiences.
Training content
Learning 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
The Landscape
- Define Technical Writing
- Identify Characteristics of Technical Writing
- Distinguish Between Two Commonly Used Technical Writing Styles
- Classify the Challenges That Technical Writers Face
The Maps
- Distinguish Among the Elements of Technical Documents
- Identify a Full Range of Technical Documents with a Solid Structure
- Use Templates to Jumpstart the Writing Process
The Technical Writing Process
- Overcome Writer’s Block
- Generate Ideas Through an Efficient Writing Process
The Technical Writing Product
- Evaluate Technical Data Based on the Writer’s Purpose and the Readers’ Concerns
- Assess Your Own Writing Style Based on the Audience
Organizing Ideas
- Compose Effective Patterns of Technical Writing
- Structure the Format to Enhance Presentations and Ideas
- Use Linking Words and Phrases in Sentences and Paragraphs
Visualizing Ideas
- Apply Best Practices for Displaying Visual Information
- Use the Full Range of Illustrations in Technical Writing
Editing at the Sentence Level
- Identify Common Sentence Problems and Their Solutions
- Edit Imprecise, Unclear, or Wordy Sentences
- Combine Sentences for Fluency
- Edit Sentences for Active Voice
- Edit Sentences for Parallel Structure
Editing at the Word Level
- Choose Correct Grammar, Words, Punctuation, and Mechanics
- Summarize Complex Issues with Authority
Costs
Course price for:
- Non Members: $2495
- AMA Members: $2245
Certification / Credits
CEU: 1.2, PDU: 12
Reviews
Average rating 4.7
Karen was fantastic! She was very knowledgeable and an excellent teacher on this topic. I was incredibly happy with this class and feel it was very applicable to my day-to-day job!
Janet had such expertise in this arena, she presented and taught confidently. There was patience for questions and commentary. Very inclusive. Rebecca was patient and profession...
American Management Association Company Info
The American Management Association, International (AMA) is the global leader in talent development. Founded in 1923, AMA supports the goals of individuals and organizations through a complete range of educational products and services, including instructor-led classroom and virtual seminars, webinars,...
Rebecca and Janet were excellent. I will now look at documentation differently.