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Technical Communication Essentials

Abigail Bakke, Ph.D.

This course is for:

-People who need to brush up on technical communication (tech comm) skills within their current role

-People who are interested in pursuing a career as a technical communicator, technical writer, usability specialist, project manager, content writer, or related role.

Course Objectives:

- Define technical communication, its processes, and its ethical considerations.

- Analyze and adapt to audiences for technical communication.

- Write and revise technical content for different audiences.

This course is for:

-People who need to brush up on technical communication (tech comm) skills within their current role

-People who are interested in pursuing a career as a technical communicator, technical writer, usability specialist, project manager, content writer, or related role.

Course Objectives:

- Define technical communication, its processes, and its ethical considerations.

- Analyze and adapt to audiences for technical communication.

- Write and revise technical content for different audiences.

- Apply design, usability, and accessibility to technical communication examples.

This course isn't meant to present formulas or rules for "correct" writing. Tech comm is too complex for that! Instead, the course will help you hone your strategic thinking and decision-making skills so that you can create the most effective technical communication for your particular situation.

First, we'll address the importance of audience, integration with AI, and strategies for analyzing your tech comm situation when you don't know where to begin.

Second, you'll practice research and plain writing strategies.

Third, you'll learn to design pages, test for usability and accessibility, and revise your communication.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Preparing for Tech Comm

You'll learn what technical communication (tech comm) is and what makes it stand out from other forms of communication. This module covers the connection between tech comm and ethics, the importance of audience, integration with AI, and strategies for analyzing your tech comm situation when you don't know where to begin.

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Career center

Learners who complete Technical Communication Essentials will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Technical Communicator

A Technical Communicator creates clear, concise, and accurate documentation for specific audiences, translating complex information into understandable formats. This role is fundamental to many industries, ensuring that users can effectively interact with products, services, or systems. The Technical Communication Essentials course directly prepares individuals for this career by covering the definition of technical communication, its ethical considerations, and strategies for analyzing and adapting to diverse audiences. Learners will hone their strategic thinking to create impactful content, practice plain writing, and master the application of design, usability, and accessibility principles—all crucial for success as a Technical Communicator.

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Technical Writer

A Technical Writer specializes in producing guides, manuals, reports, and other documents that explain complex technical information to various users. This role requires precision, clarity, and an understanding of how to structure information for maximum comprehension. The Technical Communication Essentials course is an ideal foundation for aspiring Technical Writers. It focuses on the core processes of technical communication, including research, defining technical terms precisely, and writing clear content based on audience needs. The course's emphasis on revising technical content, applying design principles, and ensuring usability and accessibility directly translates into the essential skills required to excel in this specialized writing career.

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Documentation Specialist

A Documentation Specialist is responsible for creating, maintaining, and managing various types of organizational documents, often focusing on technical processes, procedures, and policies. This role requires meticulous attention to detail and an ability to communicate complex information clearly. The Technical Communication Essentials course is highly relevant for individuals aiming to become a Documentation Specialist. The course's curriculum directly addresses writing and revising technical content, practicing plain writing strategies, and defining technical terms precisely. Furthermore, the emphasis on applying design principles, testing for usability and accessibility, and understanding ethical considerations in technical communication ensures that learners can produce high-quality, effective, and compliant documentation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Documentation Specialist

User Experience Writer

A User Experience Writer crafts the microcopy and content within user interfaces to guide users through products and experiences. This role blends writing skills with an clear understanding of user psychology, usability, and design. The Technical Communication Essentials course is exceptionally relevant for a User Experience Writer. Its core objectives include analyzing and adapting to audiences, writing clear and concise technical content, and applying design, usability, and accessibility principles. The course's focus on strategic thinking and creating effective communication for particular situations directly enhances a UX Writer's ability to craft intuitive and user-friendly language, making complex interactions simpler for users.

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Usability Specialist

A Usability Specialist focuses on making products, systems, and services easy and efficient for people to use. This involves analyzing user behavior, conducting tests, and providing recommendations to improve user experience. The Technical Communication Essentials course provides a strong foundation for this career, particularly through its dedicated modules on "Strengthening Tech Comm." Learners will gain practical experience in testing for usability and accessibility within technical communication examples, which is a direct application of this role's core responsibilities. The course's emphasis on audience analysis, strategic thinking, and applying design principles also helps build the critical perspective needed to identify and solve usability challenges effectively.

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Accessibility Specialist

An Accessibility Specialist works to ensure that digital products, services, and content are usable by people with disabilities. This involves understanding guidelines, conducting audits, and advising on accessible design and development practices. The Technical Communication Essentials course offers direct and valuable preparation for an Accessibility Specialist role. A key objective of the course is to "apply design, usability, and accessibility to technical communication examples." Furthermore, the "Strengthening Tech Comm" module specifically teaches how to "test your work for usability and accessibility." This direct focus provides learners with foundational knowledge and practical skills in identifying and addressing accessibility concerns within various forms of communication.

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Instructional Designer

An Instructional Designer creates engaging and effective learning experiences, translating complex information into clear, structured, and accessible educational content. This role requires a deep understanding of how people learn and how to present information optimally. The Technical Communication Essentials course offers numerous transferable skills for an Instructional Designer. The course focuses on analyzing and adapting to audiences, which is crucial for tailoring learning content. Practicing plain writing strategies, defining technical terms precisely, and applying visual design principles directly supports the creation of effective instructional materials. Furthermore, the emphasis on testing for usability and accessibility ensures that learning content is inclusive and easy to navigate for all learners. This role often benefits from an advanced degree.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Content Writer

A Content Writer creates engaging and informative material for various platforms, such as websites, blogs, marketing collateral, or internal communications. This role demands strong writing skills, an understanding of target audiences, and the ability to convey messages clearly. The Technical Communication Essentials course is very helpful for aspiring Content Writers, particularly those involved in producing content that requires clarity, precision, or explains complex topics. The course extensively covers writing and revising technical content for different audiences, practicing plain writing strategies, and applying design principles for readability. The focus on strategic thinking and adapting communication to specific situations directly enhances a Content Writer's ability to develop effective and impactful content.

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Proposal Writer

A Proposal Writer creates persuasive documents to secure contracts, funding, or partnerships, often responding to specific requests for proposals. This role requires synthesizing complex information, tailoring messages to decision-makers, and adhering to strict requirements. The Technical Communication Essentials course provides a strong framework for a Proposal Writer. The course teaches how to analyze and adapt to audiences, a critical skill for tailoring proposals to evaluators. It also focuses on writing clear, precise technical content and strategic thinking to create the most effective communication for a particular situation—all essential for crafting compelling proposals. The emphasis on design principles and revising work for optimal impact further enhances a writer's ability to produce professional and successful proposals.

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Content Strategist

A Content Strategist plans the creation, delivery, and governance of useful and usable content. This role involves understanding business objectives, audience needs, and communication channels to develop a comprehensive content roadmap. The Technical Communication Essentials course provides a strong foundation for a Content Strategist, especially when dealing with complex or technical subject matter. The course’s emphasis on defining technical communication, analyzing and adapting to audiences, and strategically analyzing a communication situation aligns perfectly with the strategic planning required in this role. Learning to apply design, usability, and accessibility principles also ensures the creation of effective and inclusive content strategies. This role often benefits from an advanced degree.

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Communication Advisor

A Communication Advisor guides organizations or individuals on effective communication strategies, helping them convey messages clearly and achieve their objectives. This role demands strategic thinking, strong analytical skills, and an understanding of diverse communication contexts. The Technical Communication Essentials course is highly relevant for a Communication Advisor. It focuses on defining effective communication, its processes, and ethical considerations. The course explicitly aims to hone strategic thinking and decision-making skills to create the most effective communication for any given situation. Analyzing and adapting to audiences, integrating AI into communication strategies, and applying design and usability principles are all critical competencies that an advisor would leverage to improve organizational communication practices. This role often benefits from an advanced degree.

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Information Architect

An Information Architect organizes and labels content in a way that makes it easy for users to find and understand information. This role focuses on the structure and navigation of websites, applications, and documents to enhance user experience. The Technical Communication Essentials course provides a solid foundation for an Information Architect. The course's objectives include defining technical communication, analyzing audiences, and applying design, usability, and accessibility principles to communication examples. This directly translates to the core work of structuring information logically and accessibly. The strategic thinking and decision-making skills honed in the course are also vital for designing intuitive information flows and ensuring content is findable and comprehensible.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects, often coordinating teams and resources to achieve specific goals within defined constraints. While a broad field, the Technical Communication Essentials course offers valuable insights for those managing projects, especially those with significant communication components. The "Creating Tech Comm" module specifically addresses "managing tech comm projects," which provides foundational knowledge for organizing tasks, timelines, and deliverables. Furthermore, the course's focus on strategic thinking, audience analysis, and clear communication—including defining technical terms and integrating AI—are transferable skills that effectively lead teams and convey project status and requirements to stakeholders across various industries.

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Editor

An Editor refines written content for clarity, accuracy, consistency, and adherence to style guidelines, ensuring that it effectively communicates its intended message. This role demands a keen eye for detail and strong command of language. The Technical Communication Essentials course provides skills that may be helpful for an Editor, especially one working with technical or complex subject matter. The course extensively covers writing and revising technical content, practicing plain writing strategies, and defining technical terms precisely. The module on "Strengthening Tech Comm" specifically teaches how to revise and edit work to best meet audience needs, which is a core function of an Editor. The emphasis on ethical considerations and strategic thinking also supports making informed editorial decisions.

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User Researcher

A User Researcher investigates the needs, behaviors, and motivations of users to inform product design and development. This role involves employing various research methods, analyzing data, and synthesizing findings to provide actionable insights. The Technical Communication Essentials course equips learners with skills that may be helpful for a User Researcher. The "Creating Tech Comm" module covers "gathering data to help you answer your research questions," which directly aligns with a core responsibility of this role. Additionally, the course emphasizes audience analysis and adapting communication, which are vital for understanding user perspectives. The focus on usability testing also provides practical experience in evaluating user interactions with content and systems. This role often benefits from an advanced degree.

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Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Technical Communication Essentials.

Artificial Intelligence

Save

This classic textbook provides a comprehensive overview of artificial intelligence, covering fundamental concepts, algorithms, and applications. It is an excellent resource for students and practitioners alike.

Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach

Hardcover

$$$$

Project Management Best Practices: Achieving Global...

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Is the Spanish translation of the classic text on project management, Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn about project management or improve their skills in Spanish.

Project Management Best Practices: Achieving Global...

Hardcover

$$$

Project Management Best Practices: Achieving Global...

Hardcover

Project Management Best Practices: Achieving Global...

Hardcover

$$$

Project Management Best Practices: Achieving Global...

Hardcover

$$$

Project Management Best Practices: Achieving Global...

Kindle Edition

$$$

Project Management Best Practices: Achieving Global...

Kindle Edition

$$$

Project Management Best Practices: Achieving Global...

Kindle Edition

$$$

Project Management

Save

Classic text on project management that provides a comprehensive overview of the field. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn about project management or improve their skills.

Project Management in Practice, 7th Edition

Kindle Edition

$$$$

Everybody Writes

Save

Is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to understand the fundamentals of content creation in the digital age. It covers everything from writing mechanics to best practices for creating engaging online content. It's highly recommended for beginners and provides a solid foundation for all levels.

Everybody Writes: Your New and Improved Go-To Guide...

Technical Communication Essentials

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What's inside

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