Adopt a Topic

To adopt a topic, you need to:

• get a username and password
• find a topic to adopt
• research and write your topic.

Get a username and password

If you don’t have an account as a registered user on the site, get a username and password by emailing a request to Volunteer4BoK@stc.org

Find a topic to adopt

1. Explore the TCBOK by browsing in each of the four main areas. Use the Index to browse an alphabetical list by topic titles. Use the full text search to see all pages containing your search terms.
2. Think of a topic you would be interested in writing about. Find out if there’s already a page for it. If there is a page, respect the work already done, but feel free to add subtopics or annotated sources. Use the Comments tool to post questions or suggestions—or to ask that the Domain Lead for that area contact you.
3. If you find a topic you want to write about that does not have a page, create a new page. Put your name on it to indicate that you have started working on it.
4. Explore the guidelines and procedures in the Volunteering for the TCBOK > Wiki Standards and How-to section.

Research and write your page

1. Do some research to answer this question: What 5 to 7 references on this topic would be the most useful for technical communicators to consult? Start your search at http://tc.eserver.org, which has bibliographic records for thousands of STC-published articles and papers, as well as thousands of other references.
2. Write an introductory overview to explain the importance of the topic to technical communicators. If you have authored a slide deck or article related to this topic, include it as an attachment, with a short introduction, or link to it on the Web.
3. Provide bibliographic information for the references you want to recommend, using APA style. Include links to where source material can be accessed on the Web. Write a brief note on each reference describing what makes it worth reading.
4. In a credit line you create at the bottom of your page, put your name and any status notes, ideas, or requests for potential collaborators.