Technical Report Writing

If writing technical information and effective memos, letters, reports, manuals, instructions, documentation, specifications or proposals is a tough proposition—this technical writingcourse is for you!

This intensive five-days seminar will show you proven technical writing approaches and techniques that you can apply back on the job to achieve successful technical written communications.

• Organize Your Material by Purpose and Audience
• Write with Greater Clarity and Precision—in Less Time
• Present Complex Technical Information Simply
• Know the Purpose of Your Writing before You Begin, and Eliminate False Starts
• Recognize the Needs of Your Audience
• Learn How to Use Illustrations
• Edit and Polish the Final Draft to Make the "Write" Impression with Your Superiors

Engineers, scientists, IT/computer personnel and people in other technical areas, as well as business professionals at all levels.

ASPECTS OF TECHNICAL WRITING

• Understand the Pitfalls, Style, and Characteristics of Technical Writing
• Review Samples of Technical Writing
• Prepare a Writing Sample in Technical Style

UNDERSTANDING THE READERS’ NEEDS

• Determine Various Readers’ Needs
• Convey Technical Information Clearly to Nontechnical Readers

PATTERNS OF TECHNICAL WRITING

Become Familiar with the Various Patterns of Technical Writing Learn to Write:

1. Definitions

2. Narration

3. Process Description

4. Physical Description

5. Instructions

ORGANIZING TECHNICAL INFORMATION

• Learn How to Organize and Evaluate Technical Data
• Understand the Various Patterns of Technical Writing
• Structure the Physical Format to Enhance Presentations of Ideas
• Use Linking Words and Phrases in Sentences and Paragraphs

WRITING THE FIRST DRAFT

• Understand the Writing Process
• Understand the Importance of Determining and Focusing on Your Purpose and Goals
• Become Familiar with Techniques for Overcoming Writer’s Block

ACHIEVING SENTENCE CLARITY AND PRECISION

• Review Proven Techniques for Ensuring Clarity and Precision
• Avoid Wordiness and Confusing Sentence Constructions

TECHNICAL REPORT ELEMENTS

• Distinguish between Informal and Formal Reports
• Become Familiar with the Elements of Technical Reports

TECHNICAL REPORT FORMATS

• Understand the Nature of Technical Report Formats
• Distinguish Various Elements of Technical Reports
• Utilize Specific Organizational Formats for Different Reports

WRITING ABSTRACTS

• Understand the Function and Characteristics of Abstracts
• Become Familiar with Guidelines for Preparing Abstracts
• Distinguish between Descriptive and Informative Abstracts

USING ILLUSTRATIONS

• Know When to Use Illustrations in Technical Writing
• Review the Characteristics and Uses of Illustrations
• Become Familiar with Various Illustrations Useful in Technical Writing

PREPARING TECHNICAL MANUALS AND PROPOSALS

• Become Familiar with the Characteristics of Technical Manuals
• Understand the Components That Comprise Technical Manuals
• Learn the Principles of Technical Manual Writing Style
• Identify the Elements of Proposals

EDITING AND PROOFREADING TECHNIQUES

• Review Guidelines for Editing and Polishing Technical Writing
• Understand How to Write for Another Person’s Review and Critical Commentary

• Presentation & Slides
• Audio Visual Aids
• Interactive Discussion
• Participatory Exercise
• Action Learning
• Class Activities
• Case Studies
• Workshops
• Simulation