About UD Engineering
Assistant Dean and Director: Technical Writing Skills
for Practicing Engineers
January 30 & 31, 2007
University of Delaware (Newark Campus)
Course Description
This 2-day workshop enables you to learn the fundamentals of good technical writing through lecture, discussion, practice and evaluation. You will work individually and in small groups to design, develop, and deliver a short report containing technical data. All participants will receive peer and instructor feedback. Renowned teacher Steve Bernhardt will lead you through the principles of effective technical writing; preparing for and responding to audience, purpose, and situation; gathering and presenting both verbal and quantitative information; planning and organizing documents; drafting; reviewing, revising, and editing; and evaluating quality. SPECIAL NOTE: Steve will work closely with your writing in this course in a true workshop format. You need to bring a representative piece of writing from your workplace to the workshop. Select something with technical content that is 6-10 pages. Try to choose a document or section of a document that is relatively complete and can stand alone for purposes of analysis and revision. If the document has tabled data or graphic information, that is good. If not, bring a couple of representative samples of tables, graphs, or drawings from your work documents. Bring your documents on a memory stick or on your laptop, so you can work with the documents in our computer classroom.
Who Should Attend
Practicing engineers from various specializations, especially those who must write brief reports for technical and business audiences.
"Based on my past experience, both oral and written communications need help ... This course is an excellent idea. Attendance should be mandatory!"
Rudy Pariser, Science Director, DuPont CR&D (retired)
The Presenter
Stephen A. Bernhardt is Professor of English, Chair of the University of Delaware’s English Department, and holds the Andrew B. Kirkpatrick, Jr. Chair in Writing at UD. He has taught technical and professional communication for 25 years in university, industry, and community settings. A lively presenter and instructional leader at UD for faculty development in problem-based learning, Steve has also served as communication consultant and trainer to companies such as IBM, Motorola, and Hughes, as well as to local governments and hospitals. His recent work has been centered in the pharmaceutical industry, working with drug development teams and with chemical manufacturing.
Agenda
January 30, 2007, 8:00 a.m. - Registration;
Class times January 30 & 31: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Principles of effective technical writing
• Preparing for and responding to audience, purpose, and situation
• Gathering and presenting both verbal and quantitative information
• Planning and organizing documents
• Drafting
• Reviewing, revising, and editing
• Evaluating quality
Registration and General Information
- REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 16, 2007
- CANCELLATIONS and SUBSTITUTIONS: Refunds granted if the request is received in writing by the course registration deadline. No refunds after that date, but substitutions are permitted up to the first day of class.
ACCOMMODATIONS and TRANSPORTATION: Participants are responsible for making their own housing and transportation arrangements. Air transportation should be arranged to either Philadelphia or Baltimore airport. By calling early and asking for the University of Delaware rates, you can also obtain discounts at the following hotels:
Courtyard by Marriott - UD Campus Hotel - 400 Pencader Way, Newark, DE, 1-302-737-0900 ($144+tax/night)
The following are each about one mile from campus:
Sleep Inn - 630 S. College Ave., Newark, DE, 1-302-453-1700 ($79+tax/night)
Howard Johnson Inn - 1119 S. College Ave., Newark, DE, 1-302-368-8521 ($62+tax/night)
Program Fee: Groups of 3 or more from same company: $645/person. Individual registrations: $695/person. Includes continental breakfast on DAY ONE, all breaks, UD parking, course notes. Lunches are not included, but Newark offers many convenient options.
REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION: A confirmation letter including directions to campus and parking will be mailed to your home on or before January 16, 2007.
