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Technical Writing

GES 217 -- 80 hours

Course Outline

I. Introduction to Technical Writing
a) Defining Technical Writing
b) Distinguishing it from other types of writing
c) Writing Inventory

II. Understanding Your Role as a Technical Writer
a) Ethics
b) Communication Dilemma

III. The Communication Triangle – The Recipe for Establishing Common Ground with the Audience
a) Choosing a Topic
b) Determining the Purpose for Writing
c) Analyzing an Audience
d) Evaluating Common Ground

IV. Types of Technical Correspondence—memo, letters, abstracts, communication of dilemma, emails

V. The Seven Principles of Good Writing

VI. Writing as a Process

VII. Preparation—as a way to generate ideas

VIII. Research—the access to support

IX. Organization—the key to logical paragraph development and a coherent outline
a) Writing topic sentences
b) Formulating supporting details

X. Rough Draft—from outline to paragraphs
a) Writing an introduction paragraph
b) Writing body paragraphs
c) Writing a conclusion paragraph

XI. Revising and Editing
a) Pitfalls to avoid
b) Practices to employ

XII. The Final Word on Technical Writing