RE: Tech Writing Curriculum

["Pete Sanborn" <psanborn2 -at- earthlink -dot- net>]

I was going to reply to this one since I developed a manuscript for a Tech
Writing course, but Andrew Plato said it all for me.  I can't think of
anything I would add or change to his curriculum with the possible exception
of a class on getting the tech writer out of his/her office, periodically,
to wander around in engineering or software development to find out what is
going on.  I might also include wandering around in manufacturing if the
employer has an actual manufacturing facility.  This is a variation of the
management technique of MBWA (Management By Walking Around).  It's amazing
what you learn this way.

Best of luck.

Regards,
Pete Sanborn

-----Original Message-----
From: bounce-techwr-l-81537 -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
[mailto:bounce-techwr-l-81537 -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com]On Behalf Of Andrew
Plato
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2001 9:59 PM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Re: Tech Writing Curriculum


"Mary Anne Donovan-Wright"

> I am developing a college curriculum for a technical writing certificate
> program for English majors with a writing concentration. The program
would
> also be open to students from other majors/disciplines.
>
> Might I query some of you for suggestions on what six courses/topics you
> would recommend we include in this certificate? (

A while back I posted a suggested curriculum. Here it is.

Six classes isn't much. I would strongly encourage you to make 3 or 4 of
the classes scientific or technical in nature.  All tech writer graduates
should be comfortable working with complex, scientific and technical
information.

-----------

The Plato-Perfect Technical Writing Curriculum (Beta 2)
[ORIGINALLY POSTED 10/16/2000]

--Part 1: Logan and Briscoe--

Named after my favorite Law & Order detectives, this set of classes
teaches the would be tech commie how to dig up information.  The focus is
on basic research and information gathering techniques.  There should be
one class where a guy yells "PAY ATTENTION AND LISTEN" at you for 6 hours
so you never forget that little chunk of wisdom.

Suggested classes:

Strategies for FORCING people to give you information.
Advanced CYA
How to Build a Concept Matrix
Basic Scientific Method (Brainstorm, Theorize, Test, Document, Collect
Royalties)

--Part 2: Rhetoric --

This section focuses on teaching basic rhetorical techniques and
strategies to help writers describe complex ideas. A huge emphasis is
placed on crafting well balanced arguments and descriptions.

Suggested classes:

Advanced composition (modes of persuasion, constructing an argument, etc.)

Rhetorical analysis
Logic (Everybody should be forced at gun point to take a logic class
once.)


--Part 3: Science and Technology--

This section introduces basic scientific and technological concepts to
help the would be tech commie understand complex designs and systems.

Suggested Classes

Physics
Basic Electronics
Basic Programming and Data Modeling
Flow charting and process development
Geometry and basic math

--Part 4: Graphic Design--

This section teaches the wannabe tech commie basic principles of graphic
design. Particularly, how to draw diagrams, descriptive charts, and
stylized flow charts or process diagrams.

Suggested classes:

Design basics
Layering and colors
Diagramming
Advanced flow charting
Web design
Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro

--Part 5: Get down to Business

In this phase, our hapless victim is exposed to basic business and
economic
principles. This helps our potential tech commie comprehend the decisions
the business world makes as well as how products are taken to market.

Basic Marketing and branding
Basic Economics and finance
Business management


--Part 6: Tech Writing Basics--

This is what most tech comm programs are today. This section focuses on
tools, layout, organization, and usability.  Special attention is directed
toward building documentation designs that are simple, effective, and
unobtrusive.

Suggested classes
Layout basics
Using Hierarchies
Tools (Frame, Word, etc.)
Usability
Audience Analysis
Grammar and editing

Andrew Plato







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