Conveying technical information to non-technical readers can be difficult. But this workshop provides strategies for writing to various readers (subject matter experts, senior management, and users). You will learn proven techniques for analyzing, writing, and organizing information. You will also explore how to ensure your key messages are read and understood by your readers.
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WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
It is not enough to be an expert in your field. You must be able to communicate your expertise to others. This workshop is designed to improve the writing skills of people who write or edit documents that explain technological processes to various audiences: technical and organizational.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Anyone whose job requires them to explain technical ideas to a non-technical audience
YOU WILL LEARN TO:
- Reduce your preparation and writing time
- Increase your professional image
- Use graphs, tables and other illustrations to support or clarify ideas and findings
- Use the five steps for crisp, no-nonsense technical writing
- Organize your ideas in a logical manner that meets your readers’ needs
- Develop the techniques needed to produce reports, manuals and other documentation
- Increase your professional image
COURSE OUTLINE
Understanding Technical Communication
- Review the characteristics of effective technical documents
- 5 steps to successful writing
- Review rules for clear, technical writing
Planning
- Identify the communication context: situation, purpose and readers
- Use “psychologics” to check thinking and to speed up the writing process
- Explore the needs of technical versus non-technical readers
- Convey technical information to non-technical readers
- Use a production chart
Organizing*
- Review possible resources
- Map/outline documents to organize information
- Understand what constitutes successful policies and procedures documents
- Use a proven formula to calculate the effectiveness of instructions
- Distinguish between informal and formal reports
- Understand the components of formal reports
Presenting Illustrations
- Review the rules for conveying numbers
- Explore 3 ways to write about numbers
- Make the right choice: tables or figures
- Create the best design for the reader
Revising and Editing
- 4 areas to consider when revising
- 7 questions every editor should ask
METHODS TO BE USED
Participants will be actively involved in exercises and activities designed to develop and improve their technical writing skills.
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Course Code: WSJ709
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