TECHNICAL WRITING Always start with your local College and University courses. Normally they will offer extensive courses in writing techniques. You may consult our file on Graduate Schools or seek help through many private school offerings. Below you will find extensive subject listings of various courses on offer. There is a constant demand for writers at the top of their craft to compose various types of product for both Commerce and Industry. From the creation of Corporate Brochures to the composition of training manuels and news releases there is always a constant demand for good writers. We will try to guide you to the correct steps to perfect this part of your craft. Contrary to what many assume, working as a technical writer involves much more than sitting alone at your PC. The job requires plenty of contact with technical professionals, from programmers and project managers to machine operators and medical technicians. Solitary? Not quite. Collaborative? Most definitely. If you're considering a job as a technical writer, one way to learn if it's for you is to spend several hours reading and reviewing computer manuals and online help systems, like those for your operating system and assorted applications. Ask yourself a simple question, Carliner suggests: "Is writing this what I want to do for a living?" Also, remember that companies use most technical documentation for internal purposes -- no one in the outside world will ever see it. But the field has broadened to include a variety of job roles and responsibilities, as the name of its leading professional organization, the Society for Technical Communication, suggests. Technical communicators write and edit technical manuals, but their work may also include producing online tutorials, Web-based training and other materials for industries ranging from healthcare to manufacturing. And the pay? The mean (average) salary for technical writers and editors in the US was $61,730, according to STC's most recent salary survey . Electronic Technical Publications Illustrated Parts Lists Maintenance Manuals On-line Help files Operator Manuals Parts Catalogues Product Brochures Sales Literature Software user Manuals Training Information Web Based Documentation Engineering Documentation PFDs (Process Flow Diagrams) Marine 'as fitted' drawings Equipment layout drawings P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams) Ductwork and piping drawings Electrical schematic drawings Control drawings: loop sheets, ladder diagrams Defense Documentation ASD S1000D | | (Electronic Publications) | ASD S2000M | | (Material Management) | AESP | | (Army Equipment Support Publications) | DAvP70 | | (RAF Air Publications) | ATA Series | | (Commercial Aircraft Publications) | Def Stan 00-60 | | (Integrated Logistic Support) | Def Stan 02-40 | | (Royal Navy Books of Reference) | JSP Series | | (Joint Service Publications - MoD) | Mil Std 40051 | | (Preparation of digital technical information for Multi-output presentation of technical manuals) | Technical documentation Interactive Electronic Technical Publications (IETP) Integrating with equipments/systems Built In Test (BIT) Integrating with Video Integrating with Audio Computer Based Training (CBT) Delivery over the Web Delivery via CD-ROM / LAN / WAN Medical documentation Medical and Pharmaceutical Chemical The Legal and Patent Profession Financial Engineering and Telecoms The below course description is offered by numerous Colleges and UNIVERSITIES. Applications of Technical Writing Document Design Processes and Guidelines in Technical Writing Contentious A webzine for writers, editors and other who create content for the online media. Digital Output Digital Output magazine is a national business publication for electronic publishers and digital imagers, providing monthly articles on subjects ranging from digital capture and design to electronic prepress and digital printing. Editorial Eye, The The Eye is a resource for writers, editors, designers, project managers, communications specialists, and everyone else who cares about contemporary publishing practices. epss.com An independent website providing comprehensive resources on Electronic Performance Support Systems (EPSS), Performance Centered Design, and Knowledge Management. Intercom Intercom is the magazine of STC. It features articles of interest to technical communicators, focusing on practical tips for working more effectively. Online Help Journal A subscription web publication for those creating HTML-based Help or WinHelp in support of software, or preparing policy and procedure information for online delivery. Publish RGB Publish magazine was founded in 1986 to cover the emerging desktop publishing market. Since then, the monthly has expanded to cover all forms of electronic publishing and distribution, focusing not only on high-end print production, but on CD-ROM, Web, an Technical Editors' Eyrie A newsletter containing tips, techniques and resources for editor who are working electronically . Writer's Block Web magazine for professional writers with a focus on technical business communication. Writer's Ink The Newsletter for Documentation Specialists. Newsletter is available on the site in .pdf format. XMLInfo.com XMLINFO, along with the sister sites XMLSOFTWARE and SCHEMA.NET, aim to provide well organised information and resources on the Extensible Markup Language (XML), WRITING TECHNICAL REPORTS Understand the type of technical report your are writing Write down your specific aim Plan the sections and subsections you need Avoid starting with Background, Introduction and Methodology Write your headings using strong verbs and specific nouns Match content to your readers' knowledge and needs Keep information specific rather than general Write in plain English Use active verbs rather than passive verbs Keep your average sentence between 10 to 20 words Edit wordy phrases Use simple words rather than complex ones Avoid jargon Keep technical terms to a minimum Use examples and illustrations Use diagrams, flowcharts and graphs Use good layout to draw attention to key information Test your document with the intended readers Use recommended RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: Communication Skills Training: To improve your Business English. http://www.communicaid.com Professional Writing: Plainwords.co.uk • Report Writing • Planning designing and writing technical documents • Basic Business writing http://www.techauthoring.com Argosy University (18 locations and online ) http://www.freelancewrite.about.com Society For Technical Communication (Membership required) http://www.stc.org/ Writing Technical Articles ( Columbia University ) http://www.cccs.columbia.edu/~hgs/etc/writing-style.html Gotham Writers' Workshop (endorsed by Forbes) http://www.writingclasses.com/Home |