MODULE/COURSE OUTLINE

Faculty Centre for Academic development

Department Communication and Study Skills Unit

Programme N/A

Course/Module COM 132—Technical Writing Skills for Engineering and Technology

Title and Code
Credits 12
NCQF Level
Type Compulsory
Semester 2
Prerequisites None
Course COM 132 is a learner-centered course aimed at developing participants’ knowledge, skills
Synopsis and competencies through simulation of real-life activities, as well as, engraining course
content and learning materials in the learners’ areas of specialization. Through participation
in tasks (as well as using authentic materials), it is hoped to develop the learners’ functional
language use in academic, professional and social contexts, that are germane to the
Engineering and Technology discipline. Further, the course focuses on equipping students
with knowledge, skills and competencies to access, evaluate and utilize information
competently to create new knowledge
Related Exit 1.
Level 2.
Outcome(s)
Related 1.
Assessment 2.
Criteria
Learning 1.By the end of the course students should be able to;
Outcomes
 produce specific texts that are fluent, accurate and reflect an appropriate style

 conduct basic qualitative and quantitative research relevant to their discipline.

 recognize and demonstrate an understanding of style and tone

in professional communication

 write appropriate professional letters and documents

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  apply critical thinking skills in both academic writing and

professional communication

 use different information technologies to enhance their communication skills

 apply information literacy skills in their search for information

understand and apply principles and techniques for effective oral presentation.

Lecturer Mr Lyncan Moagi

Office: Block 229 / Room 121A
Office Tel No. 355 4582
Email: Moagil@ub,ac,bw
Weeks and Dates Learning Specific Learning Outcome Topics and sub topics Teaching Activities /
Outcome Assessments
WEEK 1 & 2 Administrative Issues -Forming of Small
(6 HOURS) Groups

27 JANUARY – 07
FEBRUARY

WEEK 3, 4 & 5 LO1. 1.Identify and distinguish the -Lectures

Written Professional
(18 HOURS) characteristic features of Communication -Class and group
10 FEBRUARY – academic writing & business/ discussion
 Distinction between
28 FEBRUARY professional communication academic writing -Classroom exercises
and business /
professional
communication
 Job seeking
 Application CA NO 1-Business
letter & Communication
(20%)
Curriculum
Vitae (CV) th th
13 – 14 MARCH
 Interview 2025
skills;
preparation,
decorum
during &
after ISSUE GUIDELINES
interview FOR CA NO 3-
Group Research
Project (30%)
 Other kinds of
business letters:
 resignation,
complaints,

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 enquiry, etc.
 Other forms of
business
communication
 Memorandu
m,
 Formal Business
Meetings
 Documents
of meetings
 Notice
 Agenda
 Minutes

WEEK 6 & 7 LO2.  Describe complex Writing Skills for Engineering -Lectures
(6 HOURS) technical concepts and Technology
and ideas clearly and -Class exercises
03 MARCH – 14 coherently in order  Descriptions &
MARCH for both expert Explanations -Group discussions
audiences and non-  Definition,
expert audiences to classificatio
understand and n & reasons
benefit from writing.
for writing a
description.
 Write clear, precise  Factors in
and simple effective
instructions for a technical
particular audience description
(using uncomplicated (language,
language).
procedures
/ steps in
writing a
description)
 Instructions
 Purposes
and reasons
for writing
instructions.
 Factors for
effective

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 instructions
—language
(Start with a
command verb).

Examples of
instructions, how to
assemble, or operate
a routine
maintenance on
something.

MID – SEMESTER BREAK MID – SEMESTER BREAK MID – SEMESTER BREAK

WEEK 8 MID – SEMESTER
17 MARCH – 21 BREAK
MARCH

WEEK 9 & 10 LO3

 Identify and apply the Report Writing Skills -Lectures
(6 HOURS) characteristics of the (Technical & Non-technical)
24 MARCH – 04 various types of  Description / -Practice exercises
reports definition of the
APRIL -Pair works
term “report”
 Draft different types
 Main features of
of reports.
reports
 Develop ability to  Purposes of reports
structure and organize  Types of reports
clearly written,  Lab report –
effective reports. description of CA NO 2- Technical
Report Writing (30%)
experiments
 Accident reports
 Field/Investigative
reports
 Progress report
Features of effective
professional writing (language
use embedded in the
respective skills)
 Style
 Clarity
 Fluency & accuracy
 Brevity
 Courtesy

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WEEK 11 & 12 L04  Demonstrate Research Project
(6 HOURS) understanding of  Identifying a --Lectures
academic research problem
07 APRIL – 17 research skills -Group Assignment
 Research Questions
APRIL Discussions
 Introduction
 Apply information
literacy skills in  Literature review -Group presentations
their search for Data collection methods
information  Interview
 Questionnaire
 Observation
 Documentation
 Utilize credible
analysis (e-journals,
sources as tools
for academic books, internet,
research. journals, etc.)
Findings/ Results
 Document Conclusion
research findings Recommendations
using accepted References
forms of scholarly Appendices
citations.

 Draw conclusions
based on the
results of the
research.

 Communicate the
outcome of the
research findings.
WEEK 13 LO5  Identify strategies and Oral Communication Skills -Lectures
(3 HOURS) techniques for
conducting effective Techniques for effective oral -Group discussions
22 APRIL – 25 oral presentation. communication.
APRIL  Strategies for oral -Group presentations
 Develop oral presentation kills
communication skills  Preparation
by a variety of
 Presentation SUBMISSION OF CA
communication
activities from Techniques – verbal NO 3-Group
informal discussion to & non-verbal cues Research Project
formal presentation.  Use of audio/visuals: Scripts (30%)
videos, power point,
 Prepare and delivers slides, flash cards,
an oral presentation in artefacts, etc.
a manner that
effectively constructs  Giving & receiving
the meaning of a feedback
message.

 Analyze and verbally

condense large
amounts of
information into
concise entity.

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 =

WEEK 14 & 15 LO6  Prepare and deliver Students’ small group CA NO 4-Individual
brief individual oral presentations Oral Presentations
(6 HOURS)
presentation within on the Research
28 APRIL – 09 the framework of Project (20%)
MAY small group work.

SECAT SECAT SECAT SECAT SECAT

Teaching and Learning strategies Assessment strategies and activities

1. 2. Group discussion 1.CA NO 1-Business Communication (20%)

1. 2. Role-plays/Simulations 2.CA NO 2- Technical Report Writing (30%)

3. 4. Information-gap exercises 3.CA NO 3-Group Research Project (30%)

5. 6. Lecture sessions 4.CA NO 4-Individual Oral Presentations on

research project (20%)
7. 8. E-Learning

Required Prescribed Text books

Resources
th edition)
1.Lannon, J &Gurak, LJ (2018)Technical writing (14 ) Harper Colllins
publishers. New York

1. . Brusaw, CT., Alfred, GJ, Oliu, WE (2008). Handbook of

Technical Writing (11Th edition). New York. St Martin’s Press.
2. . Bovee, C. L. &Thill, J. V. (2008). Communication today. (10th
edition). Eaglewood Cliffs, NJ: Pearson Hall. 4.
Recommended Reading List

1 .Fielding, M
(2003).Effective
Communication in
Organizations. Cape
Town. Juta.

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2. Silyn –Roberts, H
(2002). Writing for
science: A practical hand
book for science,
engineering and
technology students
3. Cottrell, S. (1999). The
Study Skills Handbook,
London. Macmillan.
4. Alley, M. (1996). The
craft of scientific writing.
3rd edition. New York:
Springer 8. Kirkman, J.
(1992). Good Style:
Writing for Science and
Technology. London:
Chapman & Hal

Resources/Equipment

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