Class Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

XuetangX

Technical Writing

via XuetangX

Overview

Google, IBM & Meta Certificates — All 10,000+ Courses at 40% Off
One annual plan covers every course and certificate on Coursera. 40% off for a limited time.
Get Full Access





English Technical Writing is an online course developed by Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications (CQUPT) to help learners communicate technical information clearly in English.

In today's technology-driven world, professionals are expected not only to understand complex systems but also to explain them effectively. Clear documentation improves collaboration, supports product development, and enables global communication. This course equips learners with the practical skills needed to produce professional technical documents in English.

The course focuses on real-world ICT and engineering communication scenarios. Through structured instruction and practical writing tasks, learners will develop a user-centered mindset, learn how to organize information logically, and master a professional writing workflow including planning, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading.

Participants will practice writing a variety of technical and professional documents, such as user instructions, technical reports, project documentation, solution descriptions, and professional communication materials. Emphasis is placed not only on language accuracy but also on clarity, usability, and information design.

By the end of the course, learners will be able to transform complex ideas into clear, precise, and well-structured technical communication, making their writing more effective in both academic and professional environments.

This course is ideal for engineering students, ICT learners, translators, and professionals who want to strengthen their ability to communicate technical information in English.



Syllabus

  • 1. Your Journey Through the Course: A Comprehensive Guide
    • 1.1 Welcome to the Journey: Discovering the Course
    • 1.2 Navigating Success: What You Will Achieve
    • 1.3 Exploring the Terrain: Overview of Course Contents
    • 1.4 Understanding Success: Grading Policy Explained
    • 1.5 Setting the Stage: Course Logistics and Key Policies
    • 1.6 Learning from the Masters: Expert Talks and Insights
    • 1.7 Technical Communication Lecture Series
  • 2. Embarking on the Journey of Technical Writing
    • 2.1 Learning Objectives
    • 2.2 Decoding Technical Communication: What's It All About?
    • 2.3 Unveiling Technical Writing: Its Unique Features
    • 2.4 Crafting Brilliance: Standards for Exceptional Technical Documents
    • 2.5 Technical Writing vs. Other Writing: What's the Difference?
    • 2.6 Global Standards: Understanding International Norms in Technical Communication
    • 2.7 Navigating Career Paths: Opportunities in Technical Communication
    • 2.8 Ethics Notes
    • 2.9 Quiz Your Way to Knowledge
  • 3. Crafting Words that Work: How Do You Write Effectively in Technical Fields?
    • 3.1 Learning Objectives
    • 3.2 Who Are You Writing For? Understanding Your Audience
    • 3.3 Planning and Drafting Your Work: From Thoughts to Paper
    • 3.4 Polishing Your Work: The Art of Revising and Editing
    • 3.5 Ethics Notes
    • 3.6 Test Your Skills: The Writing Process
  • 4. Beyond Words: How Can You Design Documents That Speak Volumes?
    • 4.1 Learning Objectives
    • 4.2 Making Your Documents Pop: The Design Factor
    • 4.3 Bringing Design to Life: Practical Applications of Design Principles
    • 4.4 Ethics Notes
    • 4.5 Challenge Yourself: Document Design
  • 5. Organizing Thoughts: What's the Best Way to Present Complex Information?
    • 5.1 Learning Objectives
    • 5.2 Organizing Information I
    • 5.3 Organizing Information II
    • 5.4 Emphasizing Important Information I
    • 5.5 Emphasizing Important Information II
    • 5.6 Crafting Technical Sentences: Precision and Clarity
    • 5.7 Technical Paragraphs: Weaving Thoughts with Skill
    • 5.8 Ethics Notes
    • 5.9 Test Your Understanding: Information Organization Quiz
  • 6. Mastering the Art of Technical Writing: What Are the Secret Techniques?
    • 6.1 Learning Objectives
    • 6.2 The Power of Simplicity: Mastering Plain Writing
    • 6.3 Cutting the Clutter: How to Eliminate Variance
    • 6.4 Simplifying Language: Getting Rid of Nominalization
    • 6.5 Staying Objective: The Importance of Avoiding Anthropomorphism in Technical Writing
    • 6.6 Streamlining Complexity: Tackling Noun Trains
    • 6.7 Spotlighting the Doer: Identifying the Agent of Action
    • 6.8 Writing with Impact: Embracing Action-Unit Techniques
    • 6.9 Step-by-Step Success: Crafting Procedural Tasks
    • 6.10 Ethics Notes
    • 6.11 Knowledge Checkpoint: Test Bank
  • 7. Polishing Your Work: How Do You Make Your Writing Clear and Engaging?
    • 7.1 Learning Objectives
    • 7.2 Creating Flow: Enhancing Coherence in Your Writing
    • 7.3 Clearing the Path: Strategies for Enhancing Clarity
    • 7.4 Less Is More: Editing for Brevity
    • 7.5 Enhancing Readability: Making Your Text User-Friendly
    • 7.6 The Magic of Editing Videos: Tips and Tricks
    • 7.7 Ethics Notes
    • 7.8 Put Your Knowledge to the Test: Question Bank
  • 8. Bringing Ideas to Life: How Do You Create Illustrations That Tell Your Story?
    • 8.1 Learning Objectives
    • 8.2 A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words: Using Graphics Effectively
    • 8.3 Creating Visual Impact: Tips and Tricks
    • 8.4 Flowchart Principles
    • 8.5 How to Reformat Text into Table
    • 8.6 How to Integrate Graphics and Text
    • 8.7 Ethics Notes
    • 8.8 Graphics and Visuals Quizzes: Test Your Understanding
  • 9. Applying Your Skills: How Do You Use Technical Writing in Real Life?
    • 9.1 Learning Objectives
    • 9.2 Resume Writing: Your Ticket to Professional Opportunities
    • 9.3 The Winning Pitch: Writing an Impactful Cover Letter
    • 9.4 The Art of Definitions: Crafting Clear and Precise Terms
    • 9.5 Describing with Precision: How to Write Effective Descriptions
    • 9.6 Guiding with Words: The Technique of Writing Instructions
    • 9.7 The Art of Academic Posters: Conveying Research Visually
    • 9.8 Ethics Notes
    • 9.9 Assess Your Progress: Technical Writing Skills Test Bank
  • 10. The Final Check: How Do You Ensure Your Documents Are Ready for the World?
    • 10.1 Learning Objectives
    • 10.2 Making It User-Friendly: The Key Principle of Usability
    • 10.3 User Experience: Why It Matters in Technical Writing
    • 10.4 Ethics Notes
    • 10.5 Challenge Time: Usability and User Experience Quiz
  • 11. Additional Resources: What Else Should You Know?
    • 11.1 Sample Documents
    • 11.2 APA Style
    • 11.3 IEEE Style
    • 11.4 MLA Style
    • 11.5 Punctuation and Grammar
    • 11.6 Mechanics and Conventions
  • 12. Showcase of Student Achievements: A Portfolio Gallery
    • 12.1 User Manual
    • 12.2 Resume
    • 12.3 Train Ticket Design
    • 12.4 Web Content Translation
  • 13. Final Exam

    Taught by

    Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications

    Reviews

    Start your review of Technical Writing

    Never Stop Learning.

    Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.

    Someone learning on their laptop while sitting on the floor.