Course Code: HU- 201 Course Name: Technical and Business Writing Pre Requisit: Nil
Course Description:
This course is intended to help students develop a positive, constructive and practical approach to successful written and oral communication in business and professional settings. At the end of the course students would be able to communicate in clear and concise correspondence to meet the multifarious purposes of business and social contacts.
Course Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course students should be able: 1. To differentiate technical/business writing from other forms of writing
2. To develop and improve skills in finding and organizing information, developing ideas and applying in composing business/technical documents
3. To compose clear, concise messages of multifarious function to cater for the professional requirements
Course Contents: Week Topic Week 1 What is Technical/Business Writing Distinction between Academic and Technical/Business Writing Purposes and Importance
Week 2 Objectives in Technical Writing Communication Models and The CMAPP Analysis
Week 3 Overview of Writing process, Pre-writing techniques, Writing, re-Writing application of these writing stages
Week 4 Objectives, Audience Recognition, Defining terms for different Audience Levels, Multicultural Audiences
Week 5 Principles of Communication
Week 6 OHT 1 Week 7 Memo Writing Basic Elements of memorandum format Types of Memos
Week 8 Electronic Correspondence E-mail writing The catches of e-mail writing Similarities and difference between memo and e-mails
Week 9 Professional Communication-I Letter Writing Basic Letter Format Elements of letters
Week 10 Professional Communication-II Planning business Letters Composition of Good News and Bad News Messages
Week 11 Job Application Material Analyzing your goals and audience Planning the resume and letter Writing the resume Formatting the resume Writing the letter of Application
Week 11 Technical Writing Writing Instructions User Manuals
Week 12 OHT 2 Week 13, 14 Basics of Report Writing Defining Reports, Determining the Purpose Determining the Factors Gathering the Information Needed Interpreting the Findings
Short Report Shorter Forms An Overview of Report Structure Characteristics of Shorter Reports
Week 15, 16 Long Reports Physical structures and their styles of writing The forms and methods of investigation Types of reports and their essential elements How to write abstracts and summaries, introductions, final recommendations, and conclusions How to format a long formal report Edit the report End Material Bibliography Appendices Week 17 Revision and Problem Solving Session Week 18 Final Exam
Evaluation: Quiz 10% Assignment 10% OHT 30% Final Exam 50%
Study Material: Text book: Technical Writing for Success by Sue Mehlich & Darlene Smith Worthington; South-Western Educational Publishing Reference book: Survivors Guide to Technical Writing by David Ingre Relevant hand outs given by course faculty