'Technical Communication' is a course offered in the first and second semester of B. Tech. programs at the School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.
Objectives
- To introduce the students to the fundamentals of mechanics of writing
- To facilitate them with the style of documentation and specific formal written communication
- To initiate in them the art of critical thinking and analysis
- To help them develop techniques of scanning for specific information, comprehension and organization of ideas
- To enhance their technical presentation skills
Course Outcomes
The student at the end of the course will
| CO1 | To gain knowledge about the mechanics of writing and the elements of formal correspondence |
| CO2 | To understand and summarise technical documents |
| CO3 | To apply the basic elements of language in formal correspondence |
| CO4 | To interpret and analyze information and to organize ideas in a logical and coherent manner |
| CO5 | To compose project reports/ documents, revise them for language accuracy and make technical presentations |
Mapping of course outcomes with program outcomes:
| Course Outcomes | PO1 | PO2 | PO3 | PO4 | PO5 | PO6 | PO7 | PO8 | PO9 | PO10 | PO11 | PO12 |
| CO1 | 3 | |||||||||||
| CO2 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
| CO3 | 3 | |||||||||||
| CO4 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
| CO5 | 2 | 1 |
Unit 1
Mechanics of Writing: Grammar rules -articles, tenses, auxiliary verbs (primary & modal) prepositions, subject-verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, discourse markers and sentence linkers
General Reading and Listening comprehension - rearrangement & organization of sentences
Unit 2
Different kinds of written documents: Definitions- descriptions- instructions-recommendations- user manuals - reports – proposals
Formal Correspondence: Writing formal Letters
Mechanics of Writing: impersonal passive & punctuation
Scientific Reading & Listening Comprehension
Unit 3
Technical paper writing: documentation style - document editing – proof reading - Organising and formatting
Mechanics of Writing: Modifiers, phrasal verbs, tone and style, graphical representation
Reading and listening comprehension of technical documents
Mini Technical project (10 -12 pages)
Technical presentations
Evaluation Pattern:
Weightage: Internal Assessment (70%) and External Assessment (30%)
Periodical 1: 10% of Total Weightage Periodical 2: 10% of the Total Weightage Continuous Assessment: 10% of Total Weightage Lab: 40% of Total Weightage
End Semester Examination: 30% of Total Weightage
Reference Books:
- Hirsh, Herbert. L “Essential Communication Strategies for Scientists, Engineers and Technology Professionals”. II Edition. New York: IEEE press, 2002
- Anderson, Paul. V. “Technical Communication: A Reader-Centred Approach”. V Edition. Harcourt Brace College Publication, 2003
- Strunk, William Jr. and White. EB. “The Elements of Style” New York. Alliyan& Bacon, 1999.
- Riordan, G. Daniel and Pauley E. Steven. “Technical Report Writing Today” VIII Edition (Indian Adaptation). New Delhi: Biztantra, 2004.
- Michael Swan. ‘’ Practical English Usage’’, Oxford University Press, 2000
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