Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani

Work Integrated Learning Programmes Division

Technical Report Writing
Digital Learning Handout

Course Title Technical Report Writing

Course No(s) TA ZC312/ POWAB ZC321 / PEAB ZC313
Credit Units 3
Credit Model Flipped Model
Instructor-In-Charge Nilak Dutta

Course Objectives:
 Enrich the skill and competency of students in technical communication.
 Developing an integrated and systematic approach involving information gathering, organizing and
presenting practical knowledge of the tools, techniques ethics and etiquette of technical correspondence,
documentation, reports and presentation.
 Addressing communication challenges that impact organization through sharing of best practices and
group learning.

Text Book(s):
T1 Sharma R.C. and K. Mohan, Business Correspondence and Report Writing, TMH, 4th Ed., 2010.

Reference Book(s) & other resources:

R1 Raman Meenakshi and Sangeeta Sharma. Technical Communication. 2nd edition. New Delhi:
Oxford University Press. 2011
R2 Sharon J. Gerson & Steven M. Gerson, Technical Writing Process and Product, Pearson Education,
5th Ed., 2007.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

LO1 Understand principles of effective technical communication

LO2 Apply these principles in the creation of various artefacts and processes of technical
communication- both written and oral-- resulting in well designed and well-written and
presentable documents and in effective oral communication

LO3 Be ethical and responsible in communicating.

Experiential Learning Components:

1. Lab work: None.
 2. Project work: None.
3. Case study: None
4. Work integrated Learning Exercise: None.
5. Design work/Field work: None.

Content Structure:

Contact List of Topic Sub-Topics Reference Prerequisite

Hour Title
 Introduction to communication T1- Ch.1 Recorded
 The process, levels and flow of Lecture
communication
Basics of
 Summary of studio lectures
1-2 Professional
Communication  Identify the communication needs,
levels, flow and types of
communication
 Quiz questions provided by instructor
 Pitfalls of ineffective communication T1- Ch.3,4 Recorded
 Need for Communication plan Lecture
Communicating
3-4  Module overview
Effectively
 Barriers to communication-case study
 Quiz questions provided by instructor
 Planning T1- Recorded
 Gathering evaluating and Ch.18,19; Lecture
documenting information R1 Ch 14.
 Language- grammar and vocabulary,
punctuation
 Module overview
Principles of
5-6  Writing exercises
effective writing
 Discussion on vocabulary and creation
of a strategy to enhance vocabulary
 Exercise in punctuation
 Read up/Compile a list of commonly
made mistakes from references
 Quiz questions provided by instructor
 Introduction to Précis writing T1- Ch.32 Recorded
The art of  Technique- steps in précis writing Lecture
7-8
condensation  Discussion of a sample précis
 Précis writing exercise
 Objectives, characteristics and types T1- Ch.15 Recorded
of reports Lecture
Business/Technic  Principles of effective Technical and
9-10 Process Descriptions
al Reports
 Overview
 Discussion using a sample technical
description
  Discussion using a sample process
description
 Find out more about graphical
methods of process descriptions
 The procedure of writing reports- T1- Ch 17, Recorded
objective, planning and preparation 22, 23, 20 Lecture
 Importance of structuring and
outlining
 Overview
Preparing to  Discussion on specimens of-
11-12 Analytical, Laboratory, Inspection,
write Reports
Progress reports
 Deriving from 15.2-deriving a
procedure for planning and data
collection for different report types
 Document a process for writing
reports of different types
 Writing the report T1- Ch.16, Recorded
 Tools and techniques of collaborative 22, 23 Lecture
writing
 Revising, editing, reviewing
Writing Reports  Overview
13-14
 Discussion of a sample project status
reports
 Using checklists for document review
 Maintaining document change history
 Writing a report; reviewing a reports
 The art of making effective T1- Ch.24 Recorded
presentations Lecture
 Making PowerPoint slides the way
they should be made
 Interactive Discussion-planning for
Making effective
15-16 the presentation event
presentations
 Discuss a sample PowerPoint slide-
the usual one and the ideal
PowerPoint slide
 Strategies for successful presentation

 Organizing meetings T1- Ch.26, Recorded

 Participating in meetings 27, 30 Lecture
 Writing minutes, memos and notices
Meetings and  Overview
17-18 Memos; Group  Writing an agenda for a meeting
Discussion (recording of this proposed meeting to
be played for next exercise)
 Exercise on writing minutes of
meeting
  Memos and notices-
 Dissent Note
 Writing a notice
 Writing a memorandum
 Introduction to Group Discussion
 Participating in Organizational group
discussion
 Overview
 Listening to a group discussion
 Strategies for Successful GD
Technical  Tenders and Request of quotations T1- Ch.8 Recorded
Proposals and  Responding and writing Proposals Lecture
19-20 Transaction  Sending Quotations
documents-  Placing Orders
 Inviting Tenders
 Principles of letter writing T1- Ch.9, Recorded
 Different types of letters and the 10, 11 Lecture
importance of tone
 Standard formats of business letters
Writing Letters  Overview
for Technical  Standard formats of business letters
21-22 Purposes  Samples of letters to distinguish tone,
effectiveness and formatting
(Organizational
 Specific Letters of claims,
Communication) adjustments, credit and collection
 Responding to complaints
 Overview
 Response to a resource/product
complaint
Evaluation Scheme:

Legend: EC = Evaluation Component; AN = After Noon Session; FN = Fore Noon Session

Evaluation Name Type (Open Weight Duration Day, Date, Session,
Component (Quiz, Lab, Project, Mid- book, Closed Time
term exam, End semester book,
exam, etc.) Online, etc.)
EC - 1 Quiz I / Assignment-I Online 5% August 23 – September
01, 2019
Quiz II Online 5% September 27 –
October 6, 2019
Quiz III / Assignment II Online 5% November 01 – 10,
2019
EC - 2 Mid-Semester Test Closed Book 35% 2 hours Saturday, 21/09/2019
(AN)
2 PM – 4 PM
EC - 3 Comprehensive Exam Open Book 50% 3 hours Saturday, 16/11/2019
(AN)
2 PM – 5 PM

Syllabus for Mid-Semester Test (Closed Book): To be announced on E-Learn Portal

Syllabus for EC-1: To be announced on E-Learn Portal
Syllabus for Comprehensive Exam (Open Book): All topics
Important links and information:
Elearn portal: https://elearn.bits-pilani.ac.in
Students are expected to visit the Elearn portal on a regular basis and stay up to date with the latest
announcements and deadlines.
Contact sessions: Students should attend the online lectures as per the schedule provided on the Elearn
portal.
Evaluation Guidelines:
1. EC-1 consists of either two Assignments or three Quizzes. Students will attempt them through the
course pages on the Elearn portal. Announcements will be made on the portal, in a timely
manner.
2. For Closed Book tests: No books or reference material of any kind will be permitted.
3. For Open Book exams: Use of books and any printed / written reference material (filed or bound)
is permitted. However, loose sheets of paper will not be allowed. Use of calculators is permitted
in all exams. Laptops/Mobiles of any kind are not allowed. Exchange of any material is not
allowed.
4. If a student is unable to appear for the Regular Test/Exam due to genuine exigencies, the student
should follow the procedure to apply for the Make-Up Test/Exam which will be made available
on the Elearn portal. The Make-Up Test/Exam will be conducted only at selected exam centres on
the dates to be announced later.
It shall be the responsibility of the individual student to be regular in maintaining the self-study schedule
as given in the course handout, attend the online lectures, and take all the prescribed evaluation
components such as Assignment/Quiz, Mid-Semester Test and Comprehensive Exam according to the
evaluation scheme provided in the handout.

Instructor-in-charge
(TA ZC 312)