Description
The program is a series of 90-minute webinars to introduce the basics of technical communication (TC) theory. It is designed in seven segments of lecture and discussion, allowing freelance writers to develop strategies to transition to technical communication projects.
- March 15: Why TC writing differs from other types; review of punctuation and writing style rules for TC
- March 22 and 29: Review of ten key rules of analysis used to understand and make editorial choices with TC content: being responsible, analyzing the audience, highlighting hazards, breaking it up, overcoming blind writing, achieving consistency, providing signposts, working with standards, using effective graphics, fighting fluff
- April 5: Review of best practices for writing effective instructions, which are the most important form of TC content
- April 12: Review of the role of design, layout, and organization (and how they differ for TC content). This is an integral part of producing or editing TC content
- April 19: Review of planning and managing TC projects; understanding the different kinds of deliverables; working with clients
- April 26: Review of applying the analysis rules to the review cycle; understanding the difference between proofreading and editing; resolving editorial conflict
Leah Guren is the owner/operator of Cow TC (http://www.cowtc.com). She has been active in the field of technical communication since 1980 as a writer, manager, and consultant. She now devotes her time to consulting on documentation content and usability, and teaching courses and workshops in technical communication internationally. Her clients include some of the top high-tech and biotech companies, including Intel, IBM, Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, RAD, Cisco, Given Imaging, and Rambam Medical Center. Leah is an internationally recognized speaker in the field of technical communication and is a Fellow in the Society of Technical Communication (STC).
