Fundamentals of Technical Writing (Self-Guided)

Lesson 1

Technical Writing Overview

Technical writing is a relatively new profession, but people have been writing technical documents for centuries. In our first lesson, you will learn the fascinating history of technical writing and how technical writing employs both the logical and creative sides of your brain.

Preparing to Write

Technical writing requires preparation. In this lesson, you will learn the basics of project management for your documentation project and key questions to help you analyze your reading audience, and how to organize this information.

Gathering Information

In this lesson, you will learn powerful communication skills that will help you get the information you need. You will also learn how to ask questions that help you get the answers you need more efficiently, and how to apply principles of adult learning when you're analyzing the information you've gathered.

Writing Skills

Do you ever get writer's block? Most writers do. In this lesson, you will learn how to shut off your internal editor and give yourself permission to write your first draft more quickly and easily. You will discover tips that can help you keep writing even when you don't have all of the information you need.

Tech Writing Conventions

Every profession has rules and conventions that separate the novices from the pros. In this lesson, you will learn all about time-honored technical writing conventions, such as using parallel structure, an inverted pyramid style of writing, effective headings, and lists.

Graphics

Should you save your graphics as bitmaps, gifs, or jpgs? This lesson goes over the difference between the most popular graphics file formats and guidelines for using each. You will also learn about a new file format called PNG and how to create and manipulate screenshots on your PC.

Document Formatting

Formatting your document can be critical to its success. In this lesson, you will learn how to choose the typeface or typefaces you want to use and principles for using type effectively in your document. You will learn about the things you need to keep in mind when laying out your pages.

Microsoft Word's Paragraph Styles

Microsoft Word has nearly a 93% market share for PC-based word processing. Chances are high that you will use it at some time in your technical writing career. In this lesson, you will learn how Microsoft Word is different from other word-processing applications and how to use, modify, and create in Word.

Document Templates

When companies use Microsoft Word for their documentation, they expect you to know how to use and create Word templates. In this lesson, you will learn how to build templates and other Word skills such as recording macros, customizing your toolbar, and more.

Creating Indexes

Did you know that indexes are the most widely read section in any technical document? In this lesson, you will review indexing conventions and ways to build a great index for your document. You will also learn how to use Microsoft Word to make indexing a bit easier.

Editing and Proofreading

To polish your document and make it the best it can be, you need to proofread it and edit it. In this lesson, you will learn tips from professional proofreaders and editors, as well as ways you can use Microsoft Word to help you check your spelling and grammar.

Publishing Your Document

Publishing your document is an exciting time. All of your hard work is almost done—or is it? Your final lesson explores different printing options and trends in publishing. You will also learn the ways you can use your technical writing skills and a four-step plan for getting your first job.