This module explains the basic concepts of Technical Writing and communication such as what technical writing is, why its important, and what it looks like; the main conventions and characteristics of technical writing and the importance of defining the “rhetorical situation” in which you are communicating. This module also explains the complexity and iterative nature of a writing process in determining what writing process works best for you.

This module looks more deeply into the style of writing expected of this genre such as how to adopt reader-centred approach (rather than a writer-centred one) that focuses on knowing your audience and writing specifically to meet their needs. This module also shows learners how to review and practice techniques to make your writing more precise and concise, as well as how to use the rhetoric in a professional context and avoid logical fallacies or inappropriate marketing language and/or verbs.

This module includes the information on how technical writers use formatting features to optimize readability such as how to use headings logically, different types of lists, and how to integrate various kinds of figures and tables to effectively present visual data and images. This module also provides style tips to show learners how to apply strategies to enhance clarity and readability.

Most projects you work on—whether you are developing innovative new products, planning or implementing ideas, proposing ideas, or recommending solutions—will require research. Research can save you time by determining what other similar solutions have already been proposed, what has been tried and tested in the past and what the results were, what patents are already in place, and so forth. The module is designed to help develop your research skills for conducting and disseminating research.

Just as the literary genre of poetry contains many forms—such as sonnets, haiku, epics, limericks, etc., — each with its own set of rules and conventions, technical writing also contains many forms and each form has key conventions that must be observed. This module discusses several of the most common document forms, and reviews the general requirements for content, formatting, and style.

Just as the literary genre of poetry contains many forms—such as sonnets, haiku, epics, limericks, etc., — each with its own set of rules and conventions, technical writing also contains many forms and each form has key conventions that must be observed. This module discusses several of the most common document forms, and reviews the general requirements for content, formatting, and style.