Technical Writing

Technical Writing Module 1
Introduction to Technical Writing

• Characteristics of Workplace Writing
• Usefulness and Persuasiveness
• Reader-Centered Strategies
• Interaction Between Your Communication and Your Readers
• Communicating Ethically
• How to Write an Effective Resume
• Creating a Professional Portfolio
• Writing an Effective Application Letter
• Defining Your Communication Goals
• Stakeholder Ethics

Technical Writing Module 2
Conducting Research

• Conduct Focused Research
• Evidence-Based Analyses
• Evidence-Based Recommendations
• Intellectual Property Law and Documenting Sources
• Exploring Your Own Memory and Creativity
• Searching the Internet
• Using Social Media
• Using the Library
• Interviewing
• Reader-Centered Communications

Technical Writing Module 3
Drafting Reader-Centered Communications

• Similarities among Paragraphs, Sections, Chapters, and Short Communications
• Starting Segments
• Clear, Coherent, and Persuasive Segments
• Reader’s Cultural Background
• Grouping Items Formally and Informally
• Comparing Alternatives
• Partitioning, Segmenting, Cause and Effect Relationships
• Persuading Your Readers

Technical Writing Module 4
Professional Style and Graphics

• Create an Effective, Professional Voice
• Convey Meaning Clearly and Precisely
• How to Plan Front and Back Matter
• Transmittal Letters
• Graphics and Communication Effectiveness
• Use Color to Support Your Message
• Graphics Software
• Use Graphics Ethically

Technical Writing Module 5
Design Elements of Communication

• Reader-Centered Graphics
• How Communication is Organized
• Visual Organizers
• Word Processors to Create Page Designs
• The Three Activities of Revising
• Identify Ways to Improve Your Draft

Technical Writing Module 6
Applications of the Reader-Centered Approach

• The Logic of Testing
• Testing Draft’s Usefulness
• Creating Communications with a Team
• Varieties of Team Structure
• Team Goals and Procedures
• Creating and Delivering Listener-Centered Oral Presentations
• Selecting Oral and Visual Media
• Maintain Listener’s Attention and Goodwill

Technical Writing Module 7
Types of Projects and Documents

• Project Management and Client Communication
• Creating Reader-Centered Websites and Professional Portfolios
• Useful, Persuasive Content
• Designing Websites for Diverse Readers
• Ethical and Legal Practices for Website Content
• Writing Reader-Centered Correspondence: Letters, Memos, and Emails
• Level of Formality

Technical Writing Module 8
Social Media, Proposals and Empirical Research Reports

• Writing Effectively on Social Media
• Ethical Guidelines for Using Social Media
• Proposal-Writing Situations
• How Readers Use and Evaluate Proposals
• Superstructure for Proposals
• Crafting the Major Elements of a Proposal

Technical Writing Module 9
Feasibility, Progress Reports, and Instructions

• Superstructure for Feasibility Reports
• Research and Organization for Feasibility Reports
• Typical Writing Situations
• Reader’s Concern with the Future
• Superstructure for Progress Reports
• Tone in Progress Reports
• Superstructure for Instructions
• Crafting Major Elements of Instructions

**Outlines are subject to change, as courses and materials are updated.**