Gain confidence in written communication!

Technical communication has become an integral part of most companies’ products and services, and a surprising number of people and industries are involved in technical writing. This course is aimed at specialists such as scientists, teachers, engineers and technical managers, students and people who have realised they need technical writing skills in their specialised subject, and writers who want to earn money by having the skills to write on technical subjects: in fact, anyone who deals in technical information.

Throughout your Technical Writing course you will study the skills needed to become a confident technical writer, and learn how to apply those skills in the business world – either as an extension of your existing skills or as a new career. The course focuses on the range of writing skills required to get your message across quickly, easily and concisely. Plus, as your course is delivered by correspondence, there are no timetables to adhere to so your study can fit around your current lifestyle.

KEY AREAS OF LEARNING

• technical communication
• understanding your audience
• the purpose and scope of your message
• collecting and sorting information
• technical documentation
• preparing and presenting information
• overseas markets
• sending communications overseas
• office equipment

COURSE STRUCTURE

The course is divided into ten (10) lessons, as follows:

MODULE 1: CLEAR COMMUNICATION

Defining technical information, the nature of communication, basic needs, reciprocating, the communication format, visual communications, technical writing technique, making it clear, how much does it cost, Case Study I, the official notice, questions that should be asked, the manual that stopped customers from buying, internal communication, Case Study II, the company memo, avoiding the technical pitfalls, think of your audience, Assignment 1.

MODULE 2: PLANNING TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION

Matching information to the users’ needs, the audience, general education, technical education and attainment, nationality, language, customs, the working environment, use, the workplace, in the home, promotional material, the expert, the technician the executive, the non-specialist, getting the basics right, coping with the information explosion, habit and attitude, getting started, why writing can be hard work, developing good habits and attitudes, propositions, conclusion, Assignment 2.

MODULE 3: PLANNING PROCEDURES

Communication techniques, purpose, scope, positive factors in your writing, negative factors that will affect your writing, starting on a communication project, inspiration, planning procedures, audience, checklist for initial planning of a project, audience planner, Assignment 3.

MODULE 4: COLLATING INFORMATION: PART I

Communication techniques, collecting and sorting information, making a start, why you are doing this presentation, the reason tool, objective, audience, the reason, recording information you collect, the control tool, the sources tool, existing documents, demonstrations, obtaining information, effective communication, divide and manage, making a plan, conclusion, Assignment 4.

MODULE 5: COLLATING INFORMATION: PART II

Collating information, recording information, the skill of interviewing, demonstration, other sources of information, documents held by the client, the Internet, when do I stop researching, creating an index, progress report, conclusion, Assignment 5.

MODULE 6: PREPARING AND PRESENTING INFORMATION: PART I

Preparation language, graphics, symbols and references, presentation styles,  things you will need, graphical content, drawings, diagrams, photographs, tables, graphs, charts, symbols, abbreviations, acronyms and formulae, content and presentation, basic outline, impact, copyright and the author’s responsibility, conclusion, Assignment 6.

MODULE 7: PREPARING AND PRESENTING INFORMATION: PART II

Health and safety, trade description laws, quality standards, other standards and regulations, amending text, form of communication, reports, technical articles, information sheets, sales and technical presentations, specifications, press releases, handbooks, Assignment 7.

MODULE 8: CONTACTING OVERSEAS MARKETS

Overseas markets, basic design, text guidelines, non-English speaking audiences, cultural gaps and pitfalls, advanced issues, all-market communications, design translation, needs, summing up, what to say, marketing hype, conclusion, Assignment 8.

MODULE 9: COMMUNICATING METHODS

sending communications overseas, telephone communication, computer networks, Internet communication, sending and receiving documents and parcels by regular mail services, creating illustrations, illustrations on computer, non-computer illustrations, typography, typefaces and fonts, serifs or sans serifs, artwork, creating logical structure, outline method for writing a report, tips on using this method, microform, microfilm, microfiche, videotape and CDs, reproduction equipment, word processing, photocopiers, scanners, paper sizes, printing, laser printing, on-demand publishing, binding, relative costs, the technical communicator's tool bag, writing for the Internet Assignment 9.

MODULE 10: GETTING WORK AS A TECHNICAL WRITER

Getting work, a full-time career, agency work, part-time career, what you need – a CV, create your own portfolio, writing tests, looking for work,  networking, referrals, direct mail and advertising, public relations, build a website, e-commerce, promote your experience, unknown markets, experience versus starting out, making the approach, sending information to clients, the meeting, understanding clients’ needs, presenting material, conclusion Assignment 10.

This course is also available in mail correspondence and CD-ROM formats - click here for more details.

EXPERT TUITION

Even though you are studying at a time and place convenient for you, you still benefit from expert guidance and tuition. Your tutor for this course is a published writer who will provide valuable feedback on each assignment you submit.

 
WRITTEN BY EXPERTS

All courses offered on the Lifestyle Learning Direct website have been written by industry experts and are regularly updated to ensure that the information is accurate and relevant.

 
EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND LESSONS

Don’t worry if you have never studied before, as all the lessons are set out in easy-to-understand language that takes you step by step through your course. If you need additional assistance, simply contact our friendly Student Services Department staff and help will never be far away.

 
STUDYING ONLINE IS SIMPLE

With online training you have the advantage of being able to study any place where you have access to a computer and the Internet. All your lessons are available on our website for you to view as you need them, or you can save them to your computer and print them so you can take them with you wherever you go.

Once you understand everything contained in each module, simply complete your assignment and upload it to our website for your tutor to mark. Once your tutor has marked your assignment, you will receive an email notifying you it is ready for collection.

Part Payments Available
Initial deposit : $508 inc GST
2nd payment : $508 inc GST
Total Cost : $1016 inc GST