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Technical Writing
Writing Skills

Technical Writing

This material explains how to turn complex technical information into documents that people can actually use. It covers user manuals, step-by-step instructions, specifications, reports and online help, with clear guidance on analysing readers, structuring content, writing precise sentences, using consistent terminology and presenting data so that readers can complete tasks without confusion.

Levels
4
Starting from
265 credits
Category
Writing Skills
Choose a level

About this study guide

Technical documents succeed when readers can find an answer and act on it quickly. This study guide sets out the principles behind that kind of writing, starting with audience and task analysis and moving on to document planning, headings, numbered procedures, warnings and the careful choice of words that removes ambiguity.

You will read how to describe processes, equipment and software for readers with different levels of expertise, how to write concise definitions, and how tables, diagrams and screenshots can support the text when used well. Later sections introduce style guides, controlled language, version control for documentation and techniques for reviewing a draft for accuracy and consistency.

Arranged in four levels from Beginner to Expert, the guide is useful for engineers, scientists, IT staff and anyone who needs to explain how something works.
Each level is unlocked separately

Choose a level

Compare the levels below and add the one that suits you to your cart

01
Level 1

Beginner

265 credits

What this level includes

  • Covered in this level

    The guide introduces audience analysis, the difference between conceptual and procedural information, and writing clear numbered steps. It also covers plain language, active voice, consistent terminology, simple warnings and notes, and checking instructions by following them exactly as written.

  • Suited to

    This level suits people who suddenly find themselves writing instructions or explanations at work, such as engineers, support staff or product specialists. It is a good fit if you know your subject well but struggle to explain it to someone who does not.

  • What you will be able to apply

    You will be able to identify who a document is for, write a short procedure in clear numbered steps, keep terms consistent throughout, and test your instructions by following them yourself before anyone else relies on them.

02
Level 2

Intermediate

465 credits

What this level includes

  • Covered in this level

    This stage covers structuring user manuals, task-based topics, troubleshooting and reference sections, and writing specifications. It also explains using tables, diagrams and screenshots effectively, following a style guide, writing for translation, and reviewing documents with subject matter experts.

  • Suited to

    Intermediate suits writers who can produce a clear procedure and now need to handle full user guides, specifications or troubleshooting sections. It is a good fit for anyone responsible for documentation that real users depend on.

  • What you will be able to apply

    After this level you should be able to organise a complete user guide around tasks, present data clearly in tables, follow a style guide consistently, and gather accurate information from subject matter experts efficiently.

03
Level 3

Advanced

765 credits

What this level includes

  • Covered in this level

    The material examines topic-based writing and content reuse, information architecture for online help, minimalism, and writing for different user levels within one set. It also covers version control, documenting APIs and complex systems, and planning reviews and updates across many documents.

  • Suited to

    The Advanced level suits experienced technical writers managing larger documentation sets or complex products. It is aimed at those who need to keep many documents accurate, consistent and easy to navigate as a product changes.

  • What you will be able to apply

    You will be able to design the structure of a documentation set, write modular topics that can be reused accurately, adapt content for novice and expert users, and maintain consistency as a complex product evolves.

04
Level 4

Expert

1,065 credits

What this level includes

  • Covered in this level

    This deepest stage explores creating and maintaining a style guide, documentation strategy, measuring usability, and balancing completeness against brevity. It also considers regulated and safety-critical documentation, accessibility, and resolving conflicts between engineering accuracy and user comprehension.

  • Suited to

    Expert is for senior technical writers and those who shape documentation standards. It suits anyone who wants to make informed decisions about strategy, style and quality across a whole body of technical content.

  • What you will be able to apply

    You should feel ready to set and uphold documentation standards, make sound trade-offs between detail and usability, write safety-critical content with care, and bring a clear, authoritative voice to every document in a large set.

Levels are unlocked with credits from your balance. You can add more credits at any time.