Technical Writing and Editing (PUBL90005)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| 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
- 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
- Skills in template-creation, indexing and thesaurus-building
Last updated: 31 January 2024
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
An edited technical documentation
| Early in the teaching period | 25% |
A report or media object
| Late in the teaching period | 25% |
A fully featured user manual
| During the examination period | 50% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Robert Levy 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 2023 to 22 October 2023 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2023 Census date 31 August 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2023 Assessment period ends 17 November 2023 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Diploma in Publishing and Communications (Advanced) Course Graduate Certificate in Publishing and Communications (Advanced) - 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
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
Last updated: 31 January 2024