The Learning Institute

Technical Writing Diploma

What is Technical Writing?
Do you remember when you first tried to set your video recorder? You probably encountered technical writing - in the form of badly written instruction manuals.
And if you've ever put up flat-pack furniture, the information is often hard to understand.
Like us, you've probably been frustrated by their poor quality.
Instructions are often misleading. Sometimes they leave out important information. And some are poorly translated.
Perhaps you felt that you could have written it better?
If so, maybe you're the right person to become a technical writer?

What kind of people are technical writers?
A surprising number of people are involved in technical writing. The engineer, the marketing executive, the PR consultant and the quality manager all need words that describe things in simple terms.
Sometimes, they write the text themselves; and we get many engineers on the course who want to hone their skills.
But managers often hire a freelance writer to write the words; and it is the would-be freelancer who often enrolls on the Diploma course.

CONTENTS
1. Welcome to the course
Introduction
How to do the course
How to do the assignments

2. About technical communication
How to communicate technical information
The fundamentals
Methods of communication, from written reports to video
Visual communication
The costs of bad communication

3. Understanding your audience
Use of the material ? where and how
How to be a good technical communicator
Why writing is hard work
How to develop good habits

4. The purpose and scope of your message
Factors that enhance your message
Those that detract from it
Starting on a communication project
Planning
The purpose of your document
Planning checklist

5. Collecting and sorting Information
Assembling the facts
Making a start
Steps to follow
The Reason tool
The Control tool
The Source tool
Library classification systems
Writing to be understood
Dividing your work

6. Collecting and sorting information (continued)
Making notes
Identifying sources of information
Interviewing people
Documents held by the client
Books and trade magazines
The Internet
Collating, classifying and evaluating
Indexes

7. Preparing and presenting information
Methods of presenting the information
Slide making
Desktop publishing
Filming
Recording
Structuring for impact
Graphics
Drawings and diagrams
Photographs
Algorithms
Tables
Graphs and charts
Symbols, abbreviations, acronyms and formulae
Copyright

8. Preparing and presenting information (continued)
Major laws
Quality standards
BS 9000
BS5261
Reports
Technical manuals
Technical articles
Information sheets
Sales and technical presentations
Lecture and conference material
Specifications
Abstracts
Press releases
Handbooks

9. Overseas markets
Basic design
Text guidelines
Use a translator
Globalisation
Localisation
What to say
Bringing about change
What result do you want?
What are you selling?

10. Sending communications overseas
Electronic communications
Airmail delivery
Packages sent by sea mail
Illustrations
Graphic design
Form and arrangement in a communication
The outline analysis

11. Office equipment
Microfilm, Videotape, Photocopiers
Paper sizes
Typesetting
Binding
Choosing paper
The audience: Who, what, where, why, and when
The opening
Software to help technical writers

12. Getting work as a technical writer
Full time or part time
Employed or self-employment
CV
Portfolio
Tests
Looking for work

13. The City and Guilds exam
Finding the right centre
How to enter
The Project

We supply all the modules at the beginning of the course. That means you can study topics whenever you choose. You don't have to wait weeks to get a section that you need.

What's in your Pack?
A sturdily bound set of course modules that lies flat for ease of study. Detailed, practical information that guides you skillfully towards becoming a professional technical writer.

Ten technical writing assignments. Your assignments will be carefully marked with personal advice by an experienced tutor.
A stylish case which keeps all your course material.
A study guide and planner that helps you organize your study.
Self-assessment exercises. They occur throughout the course to help you get organized for technical writing. They also check that you can tackle each type of technical writing.
A folder for your completed assignments.
Question and Answer sheets for you to have your queries answered.
And when you complete the course, you'll get a handsome Diploma to frame and display on your wall.

We reserve the right to improve, amend or extend the topics and pack contents mentioned here.

 
Free technical writer's Manual
You also get a FREE Technical Writer's Manual. It contains material such as:
Technical writer's templates, records and forms.
Guidelines on subjects such as note taking and interviews.
Aides-memoire on graphics, symbols and references.
Standards on technical communication
The rules of technical writing.

Qualification
Diploma in Technical Writing

A bonus qualification
The course includes the syllabus for the City and Guilds exam, Technical Communication Techniques (5360-01).
This means that you'll be able to sit and pass the exam, if you want, and get a second qualification. (Note: there's a fee of around £55 to sit the C&G exam). But irrespective of whether you sit the City and Guilds exam, you'll still get the Institute's Diploma (assuming you complete all the assignments satisfactorily).