City & Guilds in The Communication of Technical Information
The City and Guilds certificate in The Communication of Technical Information is the primary non degree level qualification for Technical Authors. This page shows the official syllabus of the course. I have included this page to provide an appreciation of what the course entails, and what can be expected of a Technical Author who possesses this qualification.
The course comprises two modules:
- 5360-01 Technical Communication Techniques
- 5360-02 Technical Authorship
5360-01 Technical Communication Techniques
This syllabus covers the handling of technical information in industry, science and commerce, and the effective and economical methods of preparing and communicating this information in technical reports, design studies, specifications, leaflets, technical articles, abstracts, simple equipment handbooks, sales and technical presentations, conferences and lectures.
On completion of the course, students should be able to:
01 Have an outline appreciation of the communication process.
001 | Be aware of the nature of communication. |
002 | Understand the difficulties inherent in communication. |
003 | Understand the communicator/recipient relationship. |
02 Match information to different user’s needs.
001 | Determine the scope and purpose of a communication. |
002 | Define the user’s background, considering nationality, language, technical and general education level, technical attainment, customs and working environment. |
003 | Assess the user’s needs. |
004 | Understand, and apply, techniques for overcoming resistance to communication. |
03 Collect and sort information
001 | Specify the information to be obtained and devise a plan for obtaining it. |
002 | Make notes (written and by using sketches), and understand audio and video recording techniques. |
003 | Identify, and have a working knowledge of, the basic sources of information, e.g. the principal library systems, abstracting services, databases. |
004 | Extract information from books, documentation, photographs and diagrams. |
005 | Gather information from others by discussion, meetings, interviews, letters, memos and by the use of the telephone, telex and cable. |
006 | Collate, classify, evaluate and record information. |
04 Prepare and present information
001 | Apply techniques for structuring and presenting information for ease of assimilation and memorisation, and for appropriate impact. |
002 | Understand the basic use of the English language. Apply it as a means of unambiguous spoken and written communication with correct choice of vocabulary, simplicity of construction and accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation. |
003 | Select appropriate nomenclature, abbreviations and symbols, and use them consistently. |
004 | Use graphical means of presentation, e.g. tables, graphs, charts, algorithms, diagrams, drawings and photographs. Co-ordinate graphics with text. |
005 | Use works of reference, e.g. technical dictionaries and glossaries. Use British and foreign specifications for units and symbols. |
006 | Know their responsibilities as authors regarding quotation and copyright. |
007 | Recognise their responsibility for the integrity of the information and the significance to them of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Trades Description Act, the Sale of Goods Act and other regulations relevant to the supply and use of the information. |
008 | Write in different styles to suit different purposes. Match an existing style when amending another writer’s work. |
009 | Prepare information in various forms, to include reports, technical articles, information sheets, sales and technical presentations, lecture and conference material, including audio and visual aids, design studies, specifications, abstracts, press releases, central equipment and simple equipment handbook. |
010 | Check, verify and edit draft material. |
05 Understand the special factors in international communication
001 | Be familiar with techniques to be used when preparing communications in English for direct use in overseas markets and for users in the home market for whom English is not the first language. |
002 | Use foreign documentation as source material. |
003 | Appreciate the precautions that are necessary when preparing communications for translation. |
004 | Recognise the special considerations for multi-lingual documents. |
005 | Select technical terminology and non-idiomatic English. |
006 | Select and brief translators. |
007 | Know the basic surface and air despatch procedures and basic customs regulations. |
06 Understand the methods of communicating
001 | Choose and plan the most appropriate means of communication, taking into account quality, cost and speed. |
002 | Have an outline appreciation of the use of telephone facilities, telex, closed circuit television, facsimile, electronic displays and computer networks. |
003 | Have an appreciation of the use of different types of illustration and their reproduction, e.g. block and plate making. |
004 | Have an appreciation of graphic design, e.g. commonly used typefaces, formatting and the preparation of artwork for printing. |
005 | Have an appreciation of the uses of microform and the special considerations involved in microform presentation and an outline understanding of production methods. |
006 | Have an outline appreciation of typewriters, word processors, office duplicating machines, and office copiers. |
007 | Have an outline appreciation of ISO paper sizes, factors governing the selection of paper, and finishing and binding methods. |
008 | Have an outline appreciation of modern typesetting methods and letterpress, lithographic, photogravure and screen printing processes. |
009 | Have an outline appreciation of the principles of electronic publishing, e.g. computer typesetting, merging text and illustrations, electronic page layout, laser printing and ‘on-demand’ publishing. |
010 | Have an outline appreciation of the relative costs of different types of communication and the means of controlling their production and budgets. |
5360-02 Technical Authorship
Candidates for the examination in Technical Authorship will normally have passed the 5360-01 examination and possess the technical qualifications and experience required in their particular technologies.
The aim of this course is to help them attain the professional standard of technical authorship required for producing technical instruction manuals, sales literature and other forms of data presentation. Emphasis is to be placed throughout on effectiveness for the intended user and the understanding and control of costs.
On completion of the course, students should be able to:
01 Appreciate the role of the technical author
001 | Understand the range of work which they can expect to be given and the skills they must acquire to execute it professionally. |
002 | Recognise their duties and responsibilities in relation to sources of information, supporting services and the user. |
003 | Be familiar with the types of technical documentation used to meet widely varying requirements. |
004 | Be familiar with visual and audio aids and their associated data, e.g. lecture notes, instructional film scripts, technical and sales data. |
005 | Understand the importance of applying their technical experience when appraising both raw data and the user’s needs, and in presenting the final information. |
02 Plan an assignment
001 | Identify the intended readership or audience. |
002 | Establish the contract commitment, the user’s needs, the technical and commercial policy of the author’s organisation, and the product’s design and support philosophy. Prepare a working terms of reference. |
003 | Prepare a synopsis. |
004 | Analyse the synopsis to assess the work content and budgeting requirements. |
005 | Draw up a programme of work, establishing time scales and key events including, for example, the co-ordination of support services and the input from sub-contractors and accessory manufacturers. |
006 | Prepare a scheme for monitoring progress. |
007 | Plan a scheme for revising publications during production and after issue. |
008 | Determine whether to use outside support agencies. |
03 Gather information
001 | Establish contact with sources of information. |
002 | Plan a logical pattern of information gathering. |
003 | Create a system for filing, recording, updating and sorting data to minimise handling time. |
004 | Make arrangements for obtaining any revisions to information collected. |
005 | Work effectively on designs that are still fluid. |
006 | Use libraries and standard works of reference. |
007 | Obtain information by personal contact, individually and through meetings. |
008 | Read, and interpret clearly, source documentation, e.g. engineering drawings, circuit diagrams, design specifications. |
009 | Adopt a businesslike approach in communicating by letter, telephone and telex. |
010 | Differentiate between information that is relevant and that which is irrelevant to the purpose. |
011 | Establish a procedure for verifying the accuracy and validity of data selected. |
04 Establish the technical content
001 | Understand the technical requirements of particular users, e.g. maintenance and overhaul shop staffs, equipment and software users, and those for whom sales documentation is intended. |
002 | Apply Part 1 of BS 4884, Specification for Technical Manuals – content. |
003 | Determine what users require to know, and the extent of work they will carry out, bearing in mind any limitations necessitated by user policy, environmental conditions, technical facilities and skill levels. |
004 | Establish the level of assumed knowledge appropriate to the user. |
05 Prepare draft information
001 | Appreciate and use a sound standard of English and write with the degree of simplicity appropriate to the user. |
002 | Write in different styles to suit the purpose, e.g. technical descriptions, instructions, sales promotion, specifications. |
003 | Write text matter to co-ordinate with illustrations. |
004 | Conform with publication specifications and be able to apply Part 2 of BS 4884, Specification for Technical Manuals – presentation. |
005 | Prepare house standards. Conform with established publications conventions. |
006 | Select terminology and nomenclature and use them consistently. Discriminate between the use and misuse of jargon. |
007 | Organise information to give a logical progression of explanation, e.g. from simple to complex. |
008 | Arrange information and choose headings for quick understanding and reference, and prepare contents lists and indexes for rapid location of data. |
009 | Understand the need for drafts as prototypes of the final document and as copies for technical checking and advance information. |
010 | Prepare manuscripts for draft typing, check typescripts accurately and indicate corrections and alterations clearly. |
011 | Verify that the content is accurate, up to date and consistent, and that it meets the intended purpose. |
012 | Appreciate the importance of technical vetting, verification and validation. |
013 | Edit their own work and appraise other author’s work. Make and accept constructive criticism. |
06 Commission illustrations
001 | Understand the role of the illustrator and the importance of working as an author/illustrator team. |
002 | Understand the techniques used to produce illustrations and prepare them for printing, and to produce projection transparencies. |
003 | Select the most appropriate illustrating techniques and treatment for different types of information, including line and tone, monochrome and colour, perspective, isometric, orthographic, pictorial, cut-away, exploded, schematic, diagrammatic, graphical, e.g. charts, graphs and tabular presentation. Make rough sketches for guidance. |
004 | Appreciate the relative costs of different illustrating techniques. |
005 | Be familiar with standard symbols and conventions. |
006 | Be familiar with commercial aids used, e.g. mechanical tints, transfers, pre-printed symbols, graph paper and grids. |
007 | Give the illustrator a clear understanding of the requirement and provide all the information necessary to produce each illustration as intended. |
008 | Provide captions, annotations and all written data, with recommended styles, sizes and locations. |
009 | Work with the photographer to obtain photographs for reproduction and information. |
010 | Order appropriately sized photographic prints and understand the processes involved. |
011 | Appreciate the problems of using drawings not intended for reproduction in publications, e.g. manufacturing drawings: problems of scale reduction, legibility, format. |
012 | Have an appreciation of the use of computer graphics and computer-aided draughting systems. |
013 | Check illustrations for technical suitability, accuracy, quality and suitability for the reproduction process intended. |
07 Prepare work for reproduction and distribution
001 | Co-ordinate and incorporate comments from previous drafts. |
002 | Check the final draft for uniformity of style, observance of house and specification rules, arrangement of subject matter for ease of use, accuracy and suitability of contents lists and indexes, correlation of text and illustrations, page numbering. |
003 | Choose form of presentation, e.g. A3 or A4 manual, wall chart, microfilm, brochure. Work with graphic artist or illustrator to establish the design. |
004 | Prepare camera-ready copy for offset litho reproduction. |
005 | Select processes and a printer and put work in hand for reproduction. |
006 | Read and correct proofs to BS 5261 standard. |
007 | Choose paper and binding method appropriate to purpose. |
008 | Inspect printed work for quality. |
009 | Arrange for distribution, despatch and updating of stocks. |
08 Understand supporting equipment and processes
001 | Demonstrate a basic understanding of modern office equipment: electric and electronic typewriters, word processors, computer applications in technical publications work, copiers, computer-assisted draughting and illustrating machines, computer graphics. |
002 | Demonstrate a basic understanding of platemaking, printing and finishing: the main processes involved, selection of paper, phototypesetting, process photography and the production of bromides, collating and finishing techniques and equipment, binding methods, and the features of different loose leaf binders and means of indicating the content on them. |
2 comments
Hello,
Can this course be done remotely and what is the cost?
Regards
Stuart Robinson
Stuart:
Sorry, I just saw your question about the City & Guilds course on Technical Authorship on my blog (TechnicalAuthoring.com). Auto notifications are apparently not working. My apologies.
Short answer: yes, you can do the course remotely. I actually took the course while working in Singapore. However, the course is neither here nor there. C&G only really care about you taking the exam, and less about how / where you prepare for it. To that end, you do need to go into an accredited testing facility to take the exam. C&G does have these in a lot of places (I found one in Singapore) but you should probably find a facility and confirm the testing dates for the course, before you commit to an online course.
Also, in this same vein, C&G don’t run the course, just the exam. I took the course through the College of Technical Authorship (not sure if it is still in operation) and there are several other online organizations offering this course.
Hope this helps,
Dirk