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Training courses
Writing courses
Abelard Consulting has developed a number of courses designed to benefit technical writers, would-be technical writers, and those whose job requires them to be good communicators. The following courses are available:
Technical
Writing: An Introduction and Refresher [2 days]
Scientific
Writing: An Introduction and Refresher [2 days]
Using
Adobe FrameMaker: An Introduction and Refresher [2 days]
Structured
Authoring with Adobe FrameMaker [2 days]
Click on the name of a course in the list above to display a brochure describing the course: content, cost, presenters, locations and dates.
Click here to display a list of all forthcoming courses, grouped by location.
Who are the courses for?
The Technical Writing course is for would-be and junior technical writers, for experienced technical writers who want to refresh some of their writing and documentation-planning skills, and for those whose work involves report writing or writing of a technical nature. Click here to see a list of the topics in the reference book participants receive at no extra cost. [Get brochure]
The Scientific Writing course is for those whose studies or employment involves the reporting of scientific comment or research. [Get brochure]
The Using Adobe FrameMaker course is for would-be and practising technical writers who want to master the authoring tool developed specifically for writing technical documentation. [Get brochure]
The Structured Authoring with Adobe FrameMaker course is for experienced technical writers who want to learn the discipline of structured authoring and how to generate XML documentation. [Get brochure]
Why do a writing course?
The most valuable asset anyone has is time. During working hours
and beyond, time must be spent reading, writing and
understanding documents. Most documents can be made
more precise and concise. The challenge is to develop the skills needed
to do that, and thus to eliminate wasting your time and that of your readers.
The written word continues to matter and in profound ways. There are very few vocations where writing is not vital. It matters in your personal life. It matters in business. It matters in science and engineering: think of user manuals, where the precision of documentation can be a matter of life or death. Today's digital life demands writing that is more effective, not less, with e-mail, text messaging and document exchange increasingly replacing face-to-face communication. The opportunities for misunderstanding in purely digital communication are manifold, making better writing critical.
At the very least, you need to ask yourself this: Is what I have written vague or ambiguous? Is the way I write the most economical way? Will my readers understand the terms, spelling, idioms and punctuation I've used? Is my language contemporary? If you are unsure about any of this, then you may still have some way to go to master the English language—and mastering the language almost always requires detailed teaching and coaching.
Presenters
+ Dr Geoffrey Marnell
The writing courses were designed by Dr Geoffrey Marnell. He also presents the technical writing courses, along with Vian Lawson. Dr Marnell is the founder of Abelard Consulting (and continues as the company's Principal Consultant). He also teaches Technical Writing and Editing in the English Department at the University of Melbourne, and is accredited by IPED (the Institute of Professional Editors). Geoffrey has more than 20 years experience as a technical writer, recruiter of technical writers, documentation consultant, documentation project manager and educator.
+ Dr Annabel O'Connor
The scientific writing courses are presented by Dr Annabel O'Connor and Dr Bill Parker. Dr O'Connor has a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of Melbourne and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at CSIRO. She has published numerous academic papers and popular science articles and has worked for scientific journals as an editor. She has also worked as a technical writer.
+ Dr Bill Parker
The scientific writing courses are presented by Dr Bill Parker and Dr Annabel O'Connor. Dr Parker has a PhD in bacteriology and more than 30 years experience working in academia and business (with more than 15 years in the resources and renewable energy industries as a writer and editor). His industrial writing background has had an emphasis on scientific and engineering operating protocols, product manuals and training manuals. He has also written many reports and briefing papers for governments, has been a feature writer for international magazines and a daily newspaper, and has contributed to the scientific literature.
+ Vian Lawson
The technical writing courses are presented by Dr Geoffrey Marnell and Vian Lawson. Vian also teaches Instructional Writing, Corporate Writing and Writing for the Web in the Department of Professional Writing and Editing at Holmesglen Institute. She has worked for over a decade as a technical communicator and corporate communicator in Australia and the US.
+ Mark Ward
The structured authoring and Adobe FrameMaker courses are designed and presented by Mark Ward. Mark is a long-time user of FrameMaker, and an expert in creating FrameMaker templates and FrameMaker structured applications.
Course fees
Fees range from $495 to $975 (GST included). Download a brochure (see above) for the details of a particular course. Fees are also shown on our booking form.
Course duration
Most courses are run over two consecutive days. In some locations, the technical writing course is also offered over two consecutive Saturdays.
How do I book?
You can book online. You can also book by telephone, fax, post or email. The options are explained on our booking form page.
Discounts
An early-bird discount of 20% is applied to all bookings received
2 weeks or more before the commencement date of a course.
Bulk discounts are offered for bookings of 4 or more. For details, call 1800 601 118 (a free call), or send an email to courses@abelard.com.au.
A special discount of 30–40% is applied to bookings received from full-time students or holders of a current concession card. (Both discounts cannot be claimed together.)
Where are classes held?
Scheduled classes are held in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Brisbane, Hobart and
Adelaide. Classes in other cities will be offered
as demand requires. Click here
to send us an email requesting that a course be held in a particular city.
You can also suggest a date for the course.
All classes will be held in or close to the CBD.
What is included?
The price of all two-day courses includes morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and
extensive course notes. PCs will be provided for the Adobe FrameMaker classes.
On-request training
Abelard Consulting is happy to provide a training course on request
(that is, at a place and time that suits you). On-request courses are
provided for a flat fee (rather than a per-participant fee). In most cases
our flat fee is cheaper than if each participant were to attend one of
our public courses.
technical
writing
report
writing
scientific writing
Adobe
FrameMaker
structured authoring
early-bird and bulk discounts
student discounts
concession discounts
Australia-wide
general and customised
on-site training
Book
now; pay laterQuick question?
If you have a query about our training courses, either send us an email or use the form below.
For
more information, call 1800 601 116 (a free call).