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Writing and software classes

Abelard Consulting has developed a number of courses and workshops designed to benefit technical writers, would-be technical writers, and those whose job requires them to be good communicators. The following one-day and two-day 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]
  Microsoft Word 2007: An Introduction [2 days]
  Upgrading to Microsoft Word 2007 [1 day]

  technical & report writing
  scientific writing
  Adobe FrameMaker
  structured authoring
  MS Word 2007
  1-day and 2-day courses
  early-bird discounts
  ASTC and TCANZ discounts
  student discounts
  Australia-wide and NZ
  general and customised
  on-site training

Click on the name of a course in the list above to display a brochure describing the course: content, cost, presenters, locations and dates.

These are set courses, but we are happy to tailor courses to particular requirements.

Presenters
The writing courses are designed and conducted by Dr Geoffrey Marnell. 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. Geoffrey has more than 20 years experience as a technical writer, recruiter of technical writers, documentation consultant, documentation project manager and educator.

The structured authoring and Adobe FrameMaker courses are designed and conducted by Mark Ward. Mark is a long-time user of FrameMaker, and an expert in creating FrameMaker templates and FrameMaker structured applications.

The Microsoft Word courses are designed and conducted by Christine Kent. Christine is a long-time educator, professional editor and writer, and an advanced user of Microsoft Office products.

Course fees
Fees range from $276 to $975. Download a brochure (see above) for the details of a particular course. Fees are also shown on our booking form.

Discounts
An early-bird discount of 10% will be applied to all bookings received 2 weeks or more before the commencement date of a course. A discount of 30% will be applied to bookings from full-time students on proof of a current enrolment. (Both discounts cannot be claimed together.)

ASTC and TCANZ members are also entitled to the student discount.

Where are classes held?
Scheduled classes are held in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Auckland and Christchurch. 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 classes includes morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and extensive course notes. PCs will be provided for the Adobe FrameMaker and Microsoft Word 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.

  For more information, call 1800 601 116 (a free call).