TECHNICAL WRITING - BWR301

Home Study Technical Writing Course

This course develops the student's ability to write on technical matters for academic and general audiences. The course aims to improve your ability to write for a wide range of media, such as articles for the print media (magazines, newspapers and technical journals), technical reports, proposals, instructional manuals, marketing materials and much much.

We focus on different writing styles, problems (such as - technical jargon, focus, conciseness) and different ways of working (collaborative, in house, contract).

On completing this course, a student should have a greater capacity to write marketable materials and be better able to work in a greater variety of situations.

Technical writing may cover any of the following and more -

Study Technical Writing by Distance Education

COURSE STRUCTURE

There are eight lessons in this module as follows:

1. Scope and Nature of Technical Writing
2. Presentation
3. Matching style and content to the audience
4. Planning: Developing a Logical Structure or Format
5. Collaborative Writing
6. Writing Technical Periodicals
7. Writing Manuals and Procedure
8. Writing Project Proposals
9. Writing Project Reports.

AIMS

Duration:  100 hours 

 What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?

This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.

If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.

If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.

If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.

There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.

Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.

You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.

You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.

What Do you Actually Do in this Course?

Here are some examples of the sort of tasks you undertake, and assignment questions you confront:

SET TASKS

1. Politically correct writing today is an important aspect of writing. Consider your work environment and its various departments. Are titles gender-neutral? Look at some of your technical writing literature. Is reference made to a particular gender, ie. he, she, him or her, salesman, tradesman, foreman?

2. Select two documents used in your workplace or the workplace of a family member, and discuss whether and how they meet the needs of intended readers. If they do not seem to meet readers’ needs, or to have considered the intended readers in terms of style, content or any other factor, say so, and explain your reasoning.

ASSIGNMENT

1. Proof read the following passage then edit if for clarity and flow of ideas. .

Too transfer a call to another station - While you you are speaking to the caller you will notice that the phone screen has options displayed onto it, to transfer the call to another person’s station press the Button beside the internal transfer option to put the caller on hold another screen will come up which shows all the stations available to transfer too, press the button next to the station/person that you want to send the call to, stay on line…

announce the call to they person and then hang up, this will send the call threw to that station, if there is no answers, press the button beside the cancel option to bring the call back to you.

2. Write instructions for a simple procedure like making a cup of coffee or cleaning your teeth, assuming your audience is unfamiliar with the procedure and the products used!

3. Plan a document describing a procedure or a piece of equipment that you think would be helpful to others in your workplace. (If you are not in a working environment ask a friend or relative to describe their colleagues).

(a) To help you plan the document, answer the following questions:

•  What are your colleagues’ needs, attitudes and knowledge that you need to consider.
•  How will you format the document to ensure all staff can benefit from it?
•  How will you ensure maximum reader understanding?

(b) Write out a simply plan of the document. Your plan should include the main headings and subheadings in the order they will appear, and a list of images needed (if relevant).

(c) Write out one section of the planned document, proof read it and edit it for readability, then submit it.

4. You are asked to write a brochure on ‘The Environmental Impact of Industry’ for high school students. What will you need to consider before you start writing, and how will you obtain this information?

5. How can you determine how successful your technical writing is? List some ways you can measure its success.

6. Rewrite the following instructions, each in a short and simple sentence:

a) The automobile may require occasional attention as the automated windows are a notorious weakness.

b) Highlight the grammatical misrepresentations.

c) It is a new company policy that all current staff must adequately perform a minimum of 20 contact hours at each new task before they can be categorised as competent and receive a certificate of completion and be acceptable for a promotion.

7. Explain in your own words the term passive voice. Give two examples.

8. Explain in your own words the term active voice. Give two examples.

More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses

Who are our tutors?

Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.

Sample Course Notes

Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.

What learning method should I choose?

We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”

How Long will it take to complete the course?

This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.

Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”

What Do Our Students think of us?

If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.

I don’t think this is the right course for me.

If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.

You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.

If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk

Recognition and Accreditation

For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.

Who is ACS Distance Education?

If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”

Technical Writing Distance Learning Course
Study Technical Writing via Online Learning

ACS student comments: I think the course is a valuable learning experience as I feel I’m being challenged along the way. Generally, I am impressed with the service I have received from ACS since enrolling. The enrollment process was very quick and all email support has been prompt and helpful. The tutors seem very pleasant and helpful in their remarks, and this keeps me motivated. It is very encouraging when they offer additional information or ask questions of me/my writing. Sally Vanston, Malaysia - Technical Writing course. Study in your own time and at your own pace.

• Learn the skills required in technical writing.
• Learn to write articles, technical reports and much more.
• Learn from industry experts - our tutors!