online classes

Based on the idea of the "seated" classroom, these interactive modules include voiced lectures that allow participants to listen to the instructor, a multimedia window that emphasizes concepts, a downloadable supplement, and various exercises and case studies. In the scientific writing class, participants also receive written, professional feedback on their work and individual coaching.

For a small additional fee, case studies and exercises can be customized toy reflect the types of writing your organization does. We also offer a once-weekly real-time "chat" when all participants and their instructor go online to discuss the class, ask questions, and share their comments. Textbooks are also available as an option.

These online courses offer your staff the complete package of the seated classroom without the hassle!

Scientific Writing: Writing Scientific Reports
This six-week course covers the theoretical and practical aspects of writing scientific reports and papers and focuses on:

  • Analyzing audience, purpose, and message content
  • Writing abstracts, summaries, and table of contents
  • Creating and using tables, charts, and graphs
  • Using language appropriately (active/passive voice; concrete versus abstract; expletives/pronouns)
  • Writing to meet audience needs and use
  • Using the IMRAD method (introduction, methods, results and discussion) correctly
  • Editing, proofing, and revising
  • Preparing oral and conference presentations.

Technical Writing
In this four-week course, participants are introduced to basic technical writing concepts, including

  • What makes technical writing "technical"
  • The importance of understanding audience and purpose
  • Avoiding "noise" in the written document
  • Using organization to your advantage
  • Creating usable and accessible technical documents
  • Making appropriate language choices
  • Creating headings and subheadings
  • Creating visual and verbal cues
  • Making technical writing concise, coherent, readable, and useable

Advanced Technical Writing
This six-week course takes participants to the next level of technical communication by helping them better understand the "why" of technical writing. The focus is on:

  • Understanding the rhetorical context and its role in writing
  • Defining the document process
  • Using heuristics
  • Understanding how and why audiences read
  • How document design influences readability
  • The role of typography in reading
  • How to enhance reader comprehension
  • How to use spatial and other cues to facilitate reading.

Business Writing
This four-week course focuses on the basics of business communication and covers

  • Proper format for business letters, memos, and emails
  • Writing short and long reports
  • Effective proofing and editing
  • Ensuring document readability and usability
  • Writing positive and negative messages
  • Choosing the proper medium (phone, email, letter, memo or report)