Technical Writing seamlessly blends the art of communication with the nuances of technology. Tailored for a diverse audience, including writers, communicators, engineers, and IT professionals, this course serves as a beacon, guiding participants toward the creation of effective technical documents tailored to specialized audiences.
Introduction to Technical Writing
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.3
(231 reviews)
Beginner level
Recommended experience
15 hours to complete
3 weeks at 5 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Dive deep into the nuances of technical writing, understanding its history, significance, and distinctions from other writing forms.
Master the art of designing technical documents, leveraging essential writing tools, and collaborating effectively with platforms like GitHub.
Craft diverse technical documents, from user manuals to API docs, while maintaining the highest ethical standards and ensuring accessibility.
Navigate career growth in technical writing by building a robust portfolio, networking effectively, and adapting to emerging technologies.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
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Assessments
12 assignments
Taught in English
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There are 4 modules in this course
Fundamentals of Technical Writing! This module introduces the essential elements of technical writing and the comprehensive process involved in creating effective technical documents. In Lesson 1, we explore the historical evolution of technical writing, its distinctions from other writing types, and the characteristics of impactful technical documents, including SEO considerations. Understanding your audience and tailoring content to their needs is emphasized. Moving on to Lesson 2, we guide you through the entire technical writing process. This includes planning and researching, drafting, revising, and rewriting, as well as proofreading, finalizing, and publishing your document. We stress the importance of continuous feedback and updates, recognizing the iterative nature of technical writing. By the end of this module, you will have the fundamental knowledge and skills to excel in the dynamic field of technical writing.
What's included
12 videos4 readings3 assignments1 discussion prompt
Design Principles and Essential Writing Tools explores the art of effective design and layout for technical documents, covering typography, color, charts, graphs, and navigation aids. You will learn to create visually appealing and well-organized content. Additionally, this module introduces crucial writing tools and software, including word processors, collaboration platforms like GitHub, graphics and multimedia tools like Photoshop and Illustrator, and Content Management Systems (CMS). By the end of this module, you will be equipped with the skills to craft engaging technical documents, efficiently collaborate with team members, and utilize essential writing tools for a successful career as a technical writer.
What's included
10 videos2 readings3 assignments
Diverse Technical Document Types and Ethical Practices, we explore a wide range of technical documents, including user manuals, technical proposals, online help systems, and API documentation. Each video lesson provides valuable insights into crafting these documents effectively with the best practices in mind. Moreover, this module delves into the ethical responsibilities of technical writers, emphasizing the importance of upholding ethical standards, creating accessible documents for all users, embracing cultural and linguistic diversity, and understanding the fundamentals of localization and translation. By the end of this module, learners will be well-equipped to produce impactful technical content while maintaining a commitment to inclusivity, ethics, and global awareness.
What's included
10 videos2 readings3 assignments
Advanced Topics and Career Advancement in our Technical Writing course. This module pushes the boundaries of traditional technical writing, guiding you through advanced documentation for complex systems, integrating multimedia and interactive elements, writing for emerging technologies like VR and AR, and examining innovative case studies. In Lesson 2, you'll learn how to build a robust technical writing portfolio showcasing your subject matter expertise, explore the digital versus physical portfolio debate, master networking within the technical writing community, and embrace continuous learning for professional growth. Prepare to enhance your technical writing prowess, embrace innovation, and establish a strong foothold in this dynamic field, equipping yourself for a successful and rewarding career journey.
What's included
10 videos3 readings3 assignments
Instructor
Instructor ratings
4.2 (74 ratings)
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Design and Product
Arizona State University
Coursera Instructor Network
California Institute of the Arts
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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Learner reviews
4.3
231 reviews
- 5 stars
58.87%
- 4 stars
23.80%
- 3 stars
9.52%
- 2 stars
6.06%
- 1 star
1.73%
Showing 3 of 231
EL
4
Reviewed on Nov 19, 2024
repetitive question and the english of the presenter sometimes is unclear
MQ
5
Reviewed on Dec 8, 2024
There are times that the audio is hard to hear because of low volume but overall, it's understandable.
A
5
Reviewed on Jun 1, 2024
So far this is a comprehensive and clear course, and the content feels appropriate for an introductory course.
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Frequently asked questions
This course offers a deep dive into the art and science of technical writing. It covers the historical evolution, essential tools, varied document types, ethical standards, and advanced topics central to producing clear and effective technical documents.
Aspiring writers, communicators, engineers, IT professionals, and anyone keen on mastering the craft of technical writing.
There are no specific prerequisites. A passion for writing and an interest in technology will be beneficial.