An intensive training session on how to write clear, crisp, technically accurate copy for letters, memos, proposals, reports, articles, papers, and other technical documents.
Contents
Here is a partial listing of topics covered. Your seminar can cover all topics or just the ones that are most important to your business.
Module 1: Elements of Effective Technical Writing
Module 2: Tasks of the Technical Writer
Module 3: How to Write Numbers, Units, Equations, and Symbols
Module 4: Fundamentals of Grammar
Module 5: Principles of Technical Composition
Module 6: Use of Words and Phrases
Module 7: Principles of Organization
Module 8: Principles of Communication and Persuasion
Module 9: Special Concerns of the Technical Writer
Preparation and Customization
All clients must submit a completed questionnaire along with writing samples from students in advance of the seminar date. The seminar is tailored to your specific needs based on this information. Actual samples are used throughout the presentation as examples, for critiques, as exercises, and to illustrate and dramatize techniques presented in the classroom.
In addition, we further customize by going through the course agenda with you and having you tell us which items you want stressed and emphasized. There is no extra charge for this customization.
Number of Students
Recommended number of students per session is 6 to 20; however, you may send up to 25 attendees for the base price. There is an additional materials and preparation fee of $50 per attendee for each student above 25 registrants.
Terms
A 50% nonrefundable deposit authorizes CTC to begin preparation of your seminar and puts a firm hold on the date(s) you requested. The balance is due net 30 days after the presentation of the seminar.
Expenses
Client is billed at cost for all out-of pocket expenses including long-distance telephone calls, fax transmissions, Federal Express, and messenger service.
Client provides prepaid hotel reservations and prepaid round-trip plane tickets from Newark Airport (Newark, NJ) for out-of-town engagements.
Text
Textbook recommended (but not required) for seminar attendees is Technical Writing: Structure, Standards, and Style, by Bob Bly. Available through CTC for $9 per copy (price includes shipping and handling). CTC provides article reprints, checklists, samples, and other study materials to students during the seminar at no extra charge; these hand-outs cover all important topics, so purchase of the book is not required.
Follow-Up Programs
To maximize the effectiveness of training you may want to consider one of these two follow-up programs:
Telephone Hotline: Telephone consultation is available for $200 per hour. However, the seminar fee provides for up to 4 hours of FREE telephone consultation (an $800 value) for attendees who call my hotline within 30 days of the session. Callers get specific advice and information on how to solve writing problems; however, CTC does not write or rewrite copy for you under this arrangement.
Clinics: Some clients request a follow-up clinic at one or more locations. The clinics typically have 6 to 15 attendees and provide hands-on analysis and problem-solving for specific projects in progress. Fee and logistics are the same as for the seminar.
About the Seminar Leader
Bob Bly is the director of CTC, a company specializing in technical communication. Clients include Value Rent-A-Car, Edith Roman Associates, Sony Corporation, Timeplex, Associated Air Freight, and Philadelphia National Bank.
Mr. Bly is the author of 45 books including The Elements of Business Writing and Technical Writing: Structure, Standards, and Style. He has taught technical writing at New York University and was a staff technical writer for the Westinghouse Electric Corporation.
For More Information
To discuss the specifics of your seminar and reserve a date, call or write: Bob Bly at CTC, 22 East Quackenbush Avenue, 3rd Floor, Dumont, NJ 07628, phone (201) 385-1220.
What Clients and Attendees Say About Bob Bly’s Seminars and Consultations
“I found the seminar helpful and noticed a definite greater awareness of style afterwards. Your presentation was lively, and kept the participants’ attention well into the afternoon and longer than I had expected beforehand.”
— J.E. Koschei, Editorial Director, Thompson Professional Publishing
“Your talk was well prepared and excellently presented. Not only was it extremely informative, but you succeeded in offering some startling insights that many of us failed to realize about our business-to-business communications.”
— Walter Lewis, Business/Professional Advertising Association
“Thanks for your seminar. Besides clarifying some technical points, you gave me insight into my position, and my abilities, as a writer. And, observing you in action was excellent training.”
— Mike Goldscheitter, Loveland Controls
“Thanks again for joining us in Atlantic City on Thursday. I, and the entire group, found your thoughts insightful and right on target.”
— Edward H. Moore, communication briefings Newsletter
“Well balanced, interesting, moved right along. Everything you promised and more.”
— John Pfister, Del Haven, NJ
“Your presentation for our seminar was sparkling, enthusiastic, and informative. The audience response was wonderful to see and hear. Our group benefited greatly and were quite vocal in their praise of you.”
— Wendy Ward, Women in Communications
Bob Bly
Copywriter, Consultant and Seminar Leader
22 East Quackenbush Avenue, 3rd Floor, Dumont, NJ 07628
Phone (201) 385-1220, Fax (201) 385-1138