Technical writing teachers: pedagogy resources and general advice
December 14, 2015 5:50 AM Subscribe
I taught college English for years, then transitioned to technical editing, where I've been working for almost two decades. I'd love to get back to teaching, but I thought it would be impossible. Now a friend of mine thinks my experience makes me a strong candidate for an upcoming opening as a teacher in his department. More inside.
Apparently, my "real-world" experience will make me attractive to the department. And it's unusual to have both that and teaching experience, which is what they're looking for. But my teaching skills are rusty, and I've never taught technical writing (I've taught composition, literature, and argumentative writing). Are there any books I can read that would help me get up to speed? I know the interview process will include teaching a class, and I don't want to blow it. I would also be interested in anything else that might make me a stronger candidate.
Apparently, my "real-world" experience will make me attractive to the department. And it's unusual to have both that and teaching experience, which is what they're looking for. But my teaching skills are rusty, and I've never taught technical writing (I've taught composition, literature, and argumentative writing). Are there any books I can read that would help me get up to speed? I know the interview process will include teaching a class, and I don't want to blow it. I would also be interested in anything else that might make me a stronger candidate.
Most modern technical writing classes are actually more similar to business writing classes. If you look at the most common texts used, you can see that reports, memos, and email are in there as well as the technical documentation and instructions that one might expect.
If you're looking for a good sample class exercise, consider using Richard Lanham's Paramedic Method exercise for streamlining sentences. It's great for a first class exercise. I lead my classes with it every semester, and then I tell the students that they are responsible for using the method in their writing for the rest of the semester.
posted by answergrape at 9:08 AM on December 14, 2015
If you're looking for a good sample class exercise, consider using Richard Lanham's Paramedic Method exercise for streamlining sentences. It's great for a first class exercise. I lead my classes with it every semester, and then I tell the students that they are responsible for using the method in their writing for the rest of the semester.
posted by answergrape at 9:08 AM on December 14, 2015
Any exercise that gets students editing their works can help really.
posted by answergrape at 9:47 AM on December 14, 2015
posted by answergrape at 9:47 AM on December 14, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
* Developing Quality Technical Information
* Every Page is Page One
* Minimalism Beyond the Nurnberg Funnel
* Microsoft Manual of Style (not so much for reading, but this is a very commonly used style guide)
* Style: Toward Clarity and Grace (just a good general book on writing)
And here is a useful list from one of the big-name technical communication bloggers.
posted by neushoorn at 6:15 AM on December 14, 2015 [3 favorites]