Technical Writing Course   

Examine the field of technical writing, learn how to write within any technical writing context, and develop your own portfolio.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 12 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word Online
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

• Technical Communication: A Reader-Centered Approach, by Paul V. Anderson
• Technical Writing for Success, by Darlene Smith-Worthington and Sue Jefferson

Please note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.

Effective communication is essential in today's business world. Technical writers are professional communicators whose role varies across industries and contexts. They may create manuals and instruction documents, write grant proposals for nonprofit organizations, manage social media accounts, or create compliance documents for pharmaceutical companies. They may work in industries as different as aeronautical engineering and healthcare or be self-employed. With skills and experience, technical writers can find rewarding and engaging work in many different fields.

In the course, you will explore the framework in which technical writing exists, the conventions it follows, and the essential elements all technical writing must have.

1. Introduction to Technical Communication
2. Your Role as a Technical Writer
3. Common Types of Technical Writing
4. The Seven Principles of Good Writing
5. Writing as a Process
6. Research
7. Organization
8. Rough Draft
9. Revising and Editing
10. Writing for the Web and Social Media
11. Professionalization in Diverse Workplaces & Memberships
12. How to Find a Job in Technical Writing (Optional Lesson)
13. Final Exam

What you will learn

• Writing to meet the needs of your audience, including writing with clarity and focus
• The differences between technical writing and other types of writing
• Ethical issues in technical writing
• Advanced grammar rules and effective research methods
• Writing effectively for websites and social media

How you will benefit

• Obtain a professional writing portfolio to showcase your work to current and potential employers
• Be prepared for technical writing jobs in a variety of industries like software companies, nonprofit organizations, marketing agencies, and more

Janet Underwood

Janet Underwood is a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience as a senior technical writer. Janet started her career as an English teacher. She then went on to work as an editor and writer for several internationally known trade publications before marrying her love of technology with her passion for writing to become a technical writer. Janet has developed technical documentation for major corporations in the computer, information technology, telecommunications, financial, medical industries, U.S. government agencies, and public utilities organizations. She has also written several books used as textbooks for college technical writing courses and has been an adjunct professor.

Lynn Atkinson

Lynn Atkinson earned a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) in 1993 and an M.A. in English with an emphasis in rhetoric in 1996. A published writer and editor, including contributions to college textbooks, she considers her greatest accomplishment educating thousands of students at UTA, DeVry, Tarrant County College, Southeast Career Institute, and Everest College. She has also been nominated for and awarded "Outstanding Teacher" at several of these institutions. Lynn has developed or co-developed several writing curriculums, won writing contests and conducted over 10,000 hours of tutoring.