Advanced Technical Writing

Overview:

Completers of the Advanced Technical Writing course possess the expertise and confidence to excel as professional technical writers or to handle more complex and high-stakes writing assignments within their organizations. Building on foundational technical writing skills, this advanced course emphasizes audience analysis, document organization and design, supplement creation, integration of visuals, and advanced research methodologies. The capstone assignment—a comprehensive proposal—provides a practical platform for demonstrating mastery of technical writing processes, including planning, writing, designing, and revising.

Core Competencies and Skills Gained

1. Audience and Situational Analysis:

   • Proficiently assess reader needs and situational requirements to tailor technical content effectively.

   • Analyze scenarios to define clear objectives for communication.

2. Proposal Development:

   • Understand and articulate the purpose and structure of technical proposals.

   • Design professional proposals that incorporate research, visuals, and supplemental materials to meet audience expectations and project goals.

3. Research and Data Management:

   • Collect, analyze, and synthesize data to support technical documents.

   • Utilize advanced research techniques to ensure accuracy and reliability of information.

4. Document Design and Organization:

   • Apply advanced content, design, and style guidelines to create clear, concise, and visually appealing technical documents.

   • Incorporate supplemental materials and graphics strategically to enhance readability and impact.

5. Technical Writing and Editing:

   • Develop high-quality technical documentation with an emphasis on precision, clarity, and conciseness.

   • Edit and revise technical documents to align with professional standards and audience needs.

6. Mastery Demonstration:

   • Showcase advanced technical writing skills through the creation of a comprehensive proposal that includes research, supplemental materials, and visuals.

   • Submit and refine assignments through iterative feedback to achieve mastery.

Performance Standard:
Students earning this digital badge and certificate have demonstrated their advanced technical writing proficiency by achieving at least 80% on the final proposal. This rigorous assessment ensures their readiness to produce professional-grade technical documents in real-world scenarios.

Ethical Guidelines:
Completers of the course adhere to strict academic and professional integrity standards, ensuring originality and proper citation of all referenced work. Any form of plagiarism results in course termination and failure, reinforcing the value of ethical technical communication practices.

This advanced competency ensures students are well-prepared to elevate their careers in technical writing or tackle complex writing projects with confidence and skill.