Writing can be broadly classified into two categories: fiction and nonfiction. The novelists, short-story writers, poets, screenwriters, and playwrights who produce fiction manipulate words and lan¬guage to create scenes, moods, and effects so readers can feel as though they are unobserved, passive participants to the events described. | Training for Technical Writers 41 It isn t possible to list all of the options in this book but a search at will lead you to these schools. Online Programs Online services such as AOL offer short-term courses covering technical writing and business and academic communications. Some courses have live sessions held in online classrooms others are conducted via e-mail. Instructors are all professional writers and instructors who work closely with students. Courses run from four to twelve weeks. A twelve-week program in professional technical writing is offered by . Mentored courses allow students to work on their own with support and feedback from instructors. Students communicate with instructors and other students through e-mail discussion boards and audio and text chat sessions. A thorough search of the Internet will lead you to even more options. Words of Advice As a future technical writer whether you are just starting your training or are planning to enter from another field you should think in these terms Be sure to take enough science courses compatible with the area of technical writing in which you are interested whether it is chemistry physics electronics mathematics computer science or engineering. If you are still in high school take all available writing and composition courses. Although courses in creative writing are fine for some forms of professional writing it is important that your 42 Opportunities in Technical Writing Careers curriculum include courses in science and technology. If you are already familiar with the subject matter of science and engineering and join a company as a technical writer you have an advantage over the graduate who is not trained in science. If you have already graduated from high school and cannot plan on the four years required to earn a bachelor s degree see what courses are offered by two-year community colleges or adult education programs in your area or investigate some of the .
