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Technical Writing and Editing (PUBL90005)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Email: davismr@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject teaches the writing and editing skills needed in the technical writing profession. The emphasis is on preparing instructional materials (also known as user documentation), both for printed and online delivery. Students will learn how to plan a documentation project, how to tailor writing for various audiences (local and international), how to write effective procedures, how to build subject-specific thesauri, and how to index and design documents.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should:
- be prepared for the profession of technical writing (also known as technical communication);
- have experienced writing and editing technical documents;
- have acquired an awareness of the global reach of technical writing and of the need to be sensitive to cultural, legal and language differences;
- understand the various moral dimensions in instructional and informational writing, and have gained an appreciation of the importance of minimising information denial, time theft and potential injury; and
- have acquired a framework for appreciating the importance of extending the role of editor to that of collaborative author in the preparation of technical documents
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:
- finely honed skills in writing, and editing, plain, utilitarian, audience-centric instructional materials;
- document design and structuring skills that enhance usability and readability;
- an appreciation of the moral and legal imperatives that drive effective communication in an information-hungry, time-poor and culturally diverse world; and
- skills in template-creation, indexing and thesaurus-building.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- A 500-word edited technical documentation (25%), due early in the semester.
- A 2,500-word report or media object (25%), due later in semester.
- A 2,500-word fully featured user manual (50%), due during the exam period.
- Hurdle: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Mark Davis Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 24 hours: 1x2-hour seminar, taught weekly Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Email: davismr@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
A subject reader will be available.
- Subject notes
Students enrolled in a cognate postgraduate program may seek approval from the course coordinator.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Certificate in Publishing and Communications (Advanced) Course Graduate Diploma in Publishing and Communications (Advanced) Course Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Editing and Communications) Informal specialisation 100 Point Master of Journalism Informal specialisation 100 Point Master of Publishing and Communications Informal specialisation 200 Point Master of Journalism Informal specialisation 150 Point Master of Journalism Informal specialisation 150 Point Master of Publishing and Communications Informal specialisation 200 Point Master of Publishing and Communications - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022