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Updated in [March 06th, 2023]
This course provides an overview of technical writing for lab and research reports. Students will learn how to write different types of technical reports, such as laboratory reports, research reports, design and feasibility reports, progress reports, and consulting reports. The course will cover language, structure, style, and content issues that are important for effectively communicating the results of research. Students will gain the skills necessary to communicate information gained through a process of technical or experimental work, and understand the factors that determine the degree of technicality of the language and concepts involved.
[Applications]
After completing this course, students should be able to apply their knowledge of technical writing to create effective lab and research reports. They should be able to use the appropriate language, structure, style, and content to communicate their findings in a clear and concise manner. Additionally, they should be able to use the principles of technical writing to create reports that are accurate, organized, and easy to understand.
[Career Paths]
1. Technical Writer: Technical writers create user guides, manuals, and other documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. They work with development teams and product managers to make products easier to use and understand. As technology advances, the demand for technical writers is expected to increase.
2. Scientific Writer: Scientific writers create scientific documents such as research papers, grant proposals, and journal articles. They work with scientists and researchers to ensure that their work is accurately and effectively communicated. As the demand for scientific research increases, the demand for scientific writers is expected to grow.
3. Technical Editor: Technical editors review and edit technical documents to ensure accuracy and clarity. They work with writers to ensure that the documents are well-written and meet the standards of the organization. As technology advances, the demand for technical editors is expected to increase.
4. Technical Documentation Specialist: Technical documentation specialists create and maintain technical documentation for products and services. They work with development teams and product managers to ensure that the documentation is accurate and up-to-date. As technology advances, the demand for technical documentation specialists is expected to increase.
[Education Paths]
1. Bachelor of Science in Technical Writing: This degree program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become successful technical writers. Students learn how to write technical documents, create visuals, and use software to create documents. They also learn how to research and analyze data, develop effective communication strategies, and understand the principles of technical writing. This degree is becoming increasingly popular as more organizations require technical writers to create and maintain technical documents.
2. Master of Science in Technical Communication: This degree program focuses on the principles of technical communication, including writing, editing, and design. Students learn how to create effective technical documents, develop visuals, and use software to create documents. They also learn how to research and analyze data, develop effective communication strategies, and understand the principles of technical writing. This degree is becoming increasingly popular as more organizations require technical writers to create and maintain technical documents.
3. Doctor of Philosophy in Technical Writing: This degree program focuses on the principles of technical writing, including writing, editing, and design. Students learn how to create effective technical documents, develop visuals, and use software to create documents. They also learn how to research and analyze data, develop effective communication strategies, and understand the principles of technical writing. This degree is becoming increasingly popular as more organizations require technical writers to create and maintain technical documents.
4. Master of Arts in Technical Writing: This degree program focuses on the principles of technical writing, including writing, editing, and design. Students learn how to create effective technical documents, develop visuals, and use software to create documents. They also learn how to research and analyze data, develop effective communication strategies, and understand the principles of technical writing. This degree is becoming increasingly popular as more organizations require technical writers to create and maintain technical documents.
Course Syllabus
Introduction
This module will help you acquire knowledge about technical writing, which deals with complex topics in precise ways. The module covers issues related to workplace research that you will have to conduct as a technical writer. Regardless of which technique you use, your challenge will be to sort the relevant information from the irrelevant, and the accurate from the bogus. The module focuses on audience, purpose, and measures of excellence in technical documents. In addition, you will learn what it means to be a good technical communicator.Module I: From Start to Finish
The references included at the end this module will serve as a perfect complement to the information described in the video lectures.Module II: Organizing the Information
In this Module, you will learn how to use visuals to communicate a large amount of information quickly and efficiently. The Module provides general guidelines for using graphical tools that you can use to design visuals with the output process of the report in mind. In addition, you will learn how to define a term using various techniques of extended definitions. The Module also provides guidelines for effective planning of technical report writing.Module III: Researching Your Subject
This module will help you develop an enhanced understanding of such types of technical documentation as feasibility and recommendation reports, instructions as well as laboratory research. The module covers issues related to various types of academic and workplace research. The focus is on acquiring the best available information – the most accurate, most unbiased, most comprehensive, and most current.
