3di, in association with our business partner Pacific Blue, deliver courses that teach the concepts and skills that your people really need. A 3di consultant will work with you to compile a course outline that gives your people exactly what they need, at a pace that suits them.
Our courses are highly interactive. No one has time to be bored. We have lots of examples and exercises and as much hands on time as possible.
Choose the specific topics your people need
3di will help you to build a day’s training using the topics below. We will deliver a course that helps people to design information and to write in a modular way. In addition, we have some specialised topics that you can add to your training. For these, see 'Choose from these specialised skills' further down the page.
|
Topic |
Description |
|
The five big questions |
What to think about before you start writing.
Introduces the basic concepts of planning and analysing information requirements. |
|
What are you writing? |
How to think about the information you need to communicate.
How to move from writing narrative text to writing modular, standalone text.
How to decide what your modular chunks will contain. |
|
Using graphics |
When to use graphics for good effect. Best practice in using graphics. |
|
Using tables |
Why tables are so very effective as a way of presenting information.
How to create specialist tables for specific types of information. |
|
Writing content |
Four things your reader wants you to include in any communication.
How to adapt your style of writing so that you adopt a suitable tone of voice that’s right for your readers.
How to write clear, easy to read paragraphs that sit well in a modular chunk.
Note: This topic does not teach basic English grammar. We can add in exercises that explore English grammar, if you wish. |
|
Creating headings |
Five things you need to know about headings.
How to write headings that respond to your readers’ needs.
How to relate headings and sub headings to key words and search functionality. |
|
How to write procedures and task descriptions |
What makes a good procedure?
How to write simple, clear instructions.
Ways of presenting instructions. |
|
Why use processes? |
The value of processes in your organisation and in your documents.
How to write process descriptions to get full benefits.
Ways of presenting process descriptions. |
|
Managing legacy materials |
How to get started when you need to restructure legacy materials that aren’t fit for purpose any more. |
|
Editing and refining |
How to check the content you’ve written.
How to refine content, including learning a little about usability and accessibility.
How to peer review if you are working in a team. |
Choose from these specialised skills
3di also delivers the following 'skill' topics in a workshop environment, to help customers who are implementing a larger content writing project.
|
Skill |
Description |
|
Using templates |
Introduces your new templates and teaches your people how to use them.
We do not teach basic skills in MS Word or any other authoring tool. We will agree with you on the level of expertise required to attend this session – usually a moderate knowledge of the authoring tool. |
|
Setting standards |
An interactive workshop, that helps you to set standards for all your content.
Standards can include tone of voice, level of detail, words and terms to be used, as well as formatting and presentation. |
|
Writing your own procedures |
A special add on session that teaches people to analyse their own jobs so that they can document the tasks.
This session is aimed at people who have never tried to write procedures before. It offers basic skills in analysis and flow diagramming as well as writing instructions. |
|
Writing about systems or software |
Teaches people how to explore a new system or software and decide what users really need in their documentation.
We would expect to personalise this session so that it considers your new system or software and your users’ needs. |
|
Getting the most out of your search functionality |
How to write content, identify and use keywords, develop synonym lists, create headings and write introduction sections that respond to and leverage your search functionality.
We would expect to personalise this session so that it addresses your content and your search functions. |
|
Writing with impact and getting attention |
For people who write reports, corporate blogs, or make key presentations. Teaches people how to say it once and say it well.
Covers the four things your reader needs to know.
How to write a key message in just one sentence.
Making sure your delivery matches your message. |
To discuss the mix of topics and skills that suit your business needs you just need to contact 3di. We will be happy to build the perfect workshop for your organisation.