Technical Writing

Introduction to Technical Writing 

This interactive session provides students with an opportunity to meet instructors. Each instructor will introduce his or her class, talk about how they entered into the profession, and discuss various aspects of technical writing. Students will have an opportunity to share about their background, reasons for enrolling in the certificate program, and their goals following program completion. An overview of the program will be discussed, as well as expectations and requirements for completion.

Essential Skills Course

In this review of advanced writing and editing skills essential for all technical communicators, students will practice improving conciseness, punctuation, and sentence structure in sentences drawn from real-world technical and business documents.  They will also review basic principles of typography, document format, and permissions for use of graphics.

Technical Writing Workshop 

Working individually or in small groups, students will contribute to class projects that are derived from their own interests and those of classmates. Students will work on projects at home and critique the projects during our weekly sessions. Students will learn how to sift through the details of their research to find the content that meets their reader's needs and their own writing objectives.

Information Architecture

This class teaches students how to design and deliver information effectively for a specified audience.  Students will learn the basic principles of visual design, audience and task analysis, how to organize information, information delivery systems, and topic-based authoring.

Managing the Information Development Process 

Students will learn, and put into practice, the process for developing technical information from initial planning to final distribution. We will cover the best ways to plan, schedule, budget, track, and report status -- and then apply those skills to the students' capstone projects. We'll also discuss new developments that are influencing the process and shaping the future of technical communication.

Tools Overview 

This course will provide an overview of the most commonly used technical writing tools and how to select the best tools for a successful project. (Please refer to the technical requirements section of website for computer specifications which impact this course.)

Final Project Portfolio Course 

Applying skills learned throughout the program, students in this course will develop and complete a final written project that can be showcased in a technical writing portfolio. Additionally, individual constructive feedback regarding your project will be provided from a panel of your instructors to help reinforce your learning skill set.

More information about each instructor can be found in the Instructors section below.

Eligibility

• Minimum of Associates degree (2 year) recommended
• "Statement of interest" in program submitted via email to dholland@duke.edu
  • Please note that this statement can be submitted after registering for the course and does not determine entry into program
• Initial payment of $1900 received with registration with the understanding there remains an obligation to pay the balance owed by November 30 to continue to participate in the program
• Fluency in English including reading and writing required
• Computer literacy and and comfort with learning online via Zoom
• Access to a computer in accordance to technical requirements listed below
• Valid email account (personal email preferred to avoid firewall issues)

Admission is discretionary. Duke Continuing Studies Professional Certificate Programs requires students be a least 18 years of age and meet minimum suitability standards. Students are not matriculated Duke University students and university student privileges do not apply to Continuing Studies students.

Duke Continuing Studies reserves the exclusive right, at its sole and absolute discretion, to withhold registration or require withdrawal from the program of, any student or applicant.

Certificate requirements

• Consistent class attendance (maximum of eight absences allowed)
• Completion of all assignments and final project within established timeframes
• Achieve a 70% or higher on the final project
• Tuition paid in full by November 30

Technical requirements

• A modern computer manufactured in last five years. Exception: No Chromebooks due to software conflicts affiliated with the “Tools” course
• Use of a Apple computer will prevent “active” participation in the Madcap flare tools training although it will not prevent the student from completing the program
• Must have Microsoft Word software
• Must have capability to access a designated “Duke Box” for sharing of files
• Speakers/Camera (must have ability to hear and speak to instructor)
• Internet Access
• Web browser: Safari, Google Chrome, Firefox 3x or higher
• Adobe acrobat reader
• Personal email address for class use versus business address to avoid firewall issues

Schedule

All classes are held Tuesday/Thursday from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm EST (Except the Orientation, Information Architecture II, and Résumé course)

Orientation Course
Thursday, October 6th 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

Essential Skills
Tuesday/Thursday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm EST
October 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27

Tools Overview I
Tuesday/Thursday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm EST
November 1, 3

Technical Writing Workshop
Tuesday/Thursday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm EST
November 8, 10, 15, 17, 29

No class week of Thanksgiving
December 1, 6, 8

Tools Overview II
Tuesday/Thursday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm EST
December 13, 15

Christmas Break: No class until January 3

Information Architecture l
Tuesday/Thursday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm EST
January 3, 5

Information Architecture ll
Tuesday/Thursday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm EST
January 10, 12

Information Architecture llI
Tuesday/Thursday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm EST
January 17, 19

Tools Overview lll (Christina Mayr)
Tuesday/Thursday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm EST
January 24, 26

Information Architecture lV
Tuesday/Thursday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm EST
January 31, Feb 2

Tools Overview lV
Tuesday/Thursday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm EST
February 7, 9

Resume Workshop
Tuesday, 6:00 pm-9:00 pm EST
February 14

Thursday, February 16 - NO CLASS

Managing the Information Development Process
Tuesday/Thursday, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm EST
February 21, 23, 28
March 2, 7, 9, 14, 16

Portfolio Project
Working Sessions: Tuesday/Thursday March 21, 23, 30
Optional Attendance: Tuesday/Thursday March 28, April 4, 6, 11, 13
Student Presentations: Tuesday/Thursday April 18, 20
Presentations Conclude & Written Presentations due: Tuesday April 25

Registration

• Please review the eligibility/technical requirements listed on this page.
• Upon registering send your “statement of interest” in this program via email to Dee Holland at dholland@duke.edu.

Registration Methods

1. Register Online using a credit card with our secure, real-time registration system.  Add the course to your shopping cart and follow the instructions for checking out.
2. Register by Phone at 919-684-6259 during our business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm EST) to register.  Please note that loan applicants or students who plan to use the payment plan must call to register.

Will I receive a certificate upon completing the program?

Yes, upon meeting program requirements to the satisfaction of the instructors you will be awarded a Duke branded certificate. The certificate will be sent via postal mail within 14 business days of the end of the program.

What are the advantages of enrolling in this program as compared to another university program?

Unlike most technical writing programs, the Duke program was developed and is taught by individuals working in the industry as technical writers/communicators. You will learn from those whom practice what they teach.

How do I earn the certificate of completion from Duke Continuing Studies?

A certificate will awarded based upon meeting the following criteria:

• Consistent class attendance (maximum of eight absences allowed)
• Completion of all assignments and the final project within program timeframes established by instructors
• Achieving a 70% or higher on the final project
• Paying tuition in full by November 30

Please note the Duke certificate was not designed to meet the requirements for certification as a Certified Professional Technical Communication (although you may encounter some similar concepts in the course of our program). To attain CPTC certification, students need to pass an exam developed and administered by APMG International on behalf of the Society for Technical Communication. Please visit their websites for more information.

Will I be certified as a technical writer when I complete this program?

Duke Continuing Studies does not “certify” individuals. Students are awarded a certificate of completion to acknowledge the required program standards have been met. Completing our program is not an indication of certification which is a different process.

Can I enroll in the courses individually versus purchasing the entire program?

The courses cannot be purchased individually as the program is offered as single package.

Does this program apply toward a degree?

No, this program is a non-credit (non-degree) offering and does not transfer towards a degree.

Will Continuing Studies assist me in finding a position upon completion of this program?

It is incumbent upon the student to seek his/her own employment through their own endeavors. Duke Office of Continuing Studies provides no assistance with career placement and/or internships nor make any claim or warrant this program will result in obtaining a position as a result of completion.

Why am I being asked to submit a statement of interest upon registering? 

This brief submission (a small paragraph will suffice) allows us to gauge the purpose of class members for choosing to enroll in this program and can also alert us to skill sets of enrollees.  It is not uncommon to have a practicing technical writer enroll in this program along with those interested in entering the field.

The statement of interest can be mailed to the individual listed as the program contact on the program website (in the “At the Glance” section).

Gregory Eller

Gregory Eller is a contract information developer with experience working for Lockheed Martin on contract to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and with IBM/Lenovo as a software engineer and team lead helping develop the ThinkVantage suite of software. He has degrees in journalism and theater, and has been writing professionally for over twenty years as a journalist, financial writer, and technical writer. After driving a NYC taxi cab, selling meat and seafood door-to-door, and working as a campus minister, Greg spent a year teaching English in Brooklyn, NY to inner-city students at a vocational high school, and then two years trading Lira on Wall Street. Greg brings his broad range of work and social experience to his role as host of the Introduction to Technical Writing discussion.

Larry Kunz

Larry Kunz is a Lead Technical Writer with Extreme Networks, a leading producer of networking hardware. He creates user guides and other customer information in printable, online, and video formats. Larry is a seasoned trainer and facilitator, and has worked more than 30 years in technical communication as a writer, marketer, manager, and project leader. He holds the rank of Fellow in the Society for Technical Communication (STC) and received the STC President's Award for leading the Society's strategic planning effort. Read more about Larry on LinkedIn.

Christina Mayr

Christina Mayr is an Information Architect and manager of the IT Documentation Team at Epic Games. Much more than a technical writer, Christina has spent the last 10 years mentoring, teaching, and sharing her knowledge with others. Since graduating from East Carolina University with a Master’s in Technical and Professional Communication, Christina has worked as a technical writer, editor, or information architect in the pharmaceutical, state government, manufacturing, and hardware and software industries in central North Carolina. Whatever her title, Christina always aimed to simplify complex information and provide it when, where, and how users needed it.

Christina has been a leader in the Carolina Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication since 2008 while also serving as a mentor, frequent presenter, Competitions Manager, blog writer, and self-proclaimed Chapter Ambassador. When she’s not working or volunteering, you can find Christina reviewing resumes, learning something new, chasing her two littles somewhere outdoors, or attempting to organize her closet, again.

Laura Poole

Laura Poole has been a freelance copyeditor since 1997. She provides copyediting for scholarly nonfiction in the humanities (books and journals), mostly for university presses. She has created and delivered training workshops, webinars, and conference presentations since 2009. She is a member of ACES The Society for Editing and an Advanced Professional Member of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders. Laura was the recipient of the 2020 Robinson Prize award from ACES The Society for Editing

Mark Bright

Mark Bright is a Senior Documentation Manager at SAS Institute Inc. He leads a team of writers who develop product documentation, online Help, web content, and videos that support software solutions for marketing, fraud investigations, and data modeling. Mark has worked as a technical communicator for more than 20 years and has experience as a documentation manager, technical writer, marketing specialist, and corporate trainer. He earned a BA in journalism and mass communication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MS in Technical Communication at North Carolina State University where he studied technical communication principles such as establishing style standards across corporate channels. He is the author of “Creating, Implementing, and Maintaining Corporate Style Guides in the Age of Technology” in the STC journal Technical Communication. He has also volunteered as a judge for the technical art competitions of the STC Carolina chapter. Mark enjoys spending time with family, running, and fishing.

Tuition: $2450

The payment plan listed below is an option for students who do not wish to pay in full at the time of initial registration. However, tuition balance must be paid in full prior to November 30 to avoid dismissal from the program. Registering for this program obligates students to full payment owed as they are reserving a seat for the entire term, regardless of withdrawal during the program. Duke Continuing Studies reserves the right to pursue collection of outstanding monies.

Duke Employee Discount

• $150 off the fee of $2450; Duke employee pays fee of $2350
• Questions:  Contact Program Manager at 919-668-1836

Discount must be requested and applied during the registration process and cannot be applied in addition to any other discount that may be offered. You may be asked to verify your status as a Duke employee.

Group Discount

Do you have a group (Duke or non-Duke entity) interested in training? Contact the Program Manager for details.

Payment Plan

A two-part payment plan is available.

• Payment #1 due at initial registration: $1900
• Payment #2 due by November 30: $550

Failure to make payments on time will result in immediate dismissal from the program. To set up this payment plan, please call (919) 684-6259 to register by phone.

Students may qualify for a loan applicable to this program. Please see the funding sources below for more details.