Ask STC-Montreal: Technical Writing Courses
Ask STC-Montreal | Posted May 5th, 2009
Got questions about technical communication? Ask the community of STC-Montreal. Send us your questions for publication. (Questions may be edited.)
Today’s question to STC-Montreal is about finding some training in technical writing.
Dear STC-Montreal,
I have started a new position which involves writing training software manuals.
I am looking for a writing course to improve my writing skills. It would need to be geared towards writing manuals.
I was told that my writing skills are too technical and I need to make my manual writing style more “user-friendly” and to be story-like.
Are they any courses that I could take to improve my writing skills?
Are there any courses or certificate programs that could be taken to become an official “Technical Writer”, preferably in the region of Montreal?
— Staying Positive in Montreal
Join the discussion. Leave your ideas and suggestions for “Staying Positive” in the comments below.
May 6th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Posted by Jim Royal.
Dear “Staying Positive,”
The first suggestion I would make is to check out an earlier column that answered a similar question. Read that article here. There was some good advice.
Secondly, the best way to get better at something is to do it. And you don’t necessarily have to try and find a job in order to get a little experience. You can make it a personal project.
Find someone you can trust to critique you properly — too many friends will be afraid to critique your work for fear of hurting you, so make sure you find someone who understands what you need. And then work at explaining something. Anything. Rewiring your stereo. Disassembling a bicycle. It can be anything that you know well that requires a step-by-step explanation as to how it is done.
Then have your friend try to follow the instructions. You can watch, but don’t offer any help. You will see right away the impact of any mistakes in the instructions.
You could also offer to any business owners you know to document any internal procedures in their company. How to close out a cash register. How to lock up the store. And so on.
The limit here is your imagination, and in the end, you’ll have a great portfolio piece.
May 8th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Posted by Staying Positive.
Thank you! I will check it out the other article.
You have mentioned some great ideas.
KISS (Keep It So Simple)
Does anyone else have any other suggestions?
May 14th, 2009 at 8:25 am
Posted by Vanessa.
Hi! I have taken two courses from the following institution and I enjoyed them both: http://www.online-learning.com/
These are what are called “mentored courses” and they are accredited by Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business in Canada and Ohio University in the United States.
Vanessa
May 25th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Posted by Staying Positive.
Has anyone ever heard about this online certificate?
http://www.techwriter-certification.com/
I wanted to know if they are reputable.
Thanks.
May 28th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Posted by Jim Royal.
I guess the answer to your question is no, “Staying Positive” — it doesn’t appear anyone has heard of it.
I found this page that lists a few distance-learning courses for technical writers. Scroll down to the bottom to see it. It may serve you well to shop around a bit.
June 1st, 2009 at 10:15 am
Posted by Staying Positive.
Thanks Jim and Vanessa for all of your input.
It is greatly appreciated.
June 10th, 2009 at 6:05 am
Posted by Patricia Boyle.
There are many online technical writing courses offered by universities in the USA. Either U of Utah or Utah State used to offer a very good program.