Summary of Technical Writing One

Technical Writing One covered the following basic lessons of technical writing:

  • Use terms consistently.
  • Avoid ambiguous pronouns.
  • Prefer active voice to passive voice.
  • Pick specific verbs over vague ones.
  • Focus each sentence on a single idea.
  • Convert some long sentences to lists.
  • Eliminate unneeded words.
  • Use a numbered list when ordering is important and a bulleted list when ordering is irrelevant.
  • Keep list items parallel.
  • Start numbered list items with imperative words.
  • Introduce lists and tables appropriately.
  • Create great opening sentences that establish a paragraph's central point.
  • Focus each paragraph on a single topic.
  • Determine what your audience needs to learn.
  • Fit documentation to your audience.
  • Establish your document's key points at the start of the document.

Congratulations! You've completed the pre-class portion of Technical Writing One.

The in-class component of Technical Writing One helps you practice technical writing principles:

  • If your organization offers the in-class portion of Technical Writing One, you are now ready for that class.
  • If your organization doesn't offer the in-class portion of Technical Writing One, consider joining one of the free public courses listed on the Announcements page.