L A N G U A G E

HW0210

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C O M M U N I C A T I O N

C E N T R E

TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course aims to teach students the principles of technical communication for their academic and professional
needs, focusing on essential written and oral skills for presenting technical information effectively.
The course covers three important aspects of technical communication:
basic principles, which include the analysis of context, purpose and audience
fundamentals of technical-report writing
key aspects of effective technical presentations
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
write an effective technical report, displaying the ability to employ appropriate rhetorical strategies and
language features to make claims, present arguments, cite and comment on relevant literature, and
interpret and comment on research results;
write an effective technical abstract, displaying the ability to select important pieces of information and
synthesize them into an accurate preview of the report; and
deliver an effective oral presentation, displaying the ability to engage the audience by employing a suitable
delivery style, appropriate language, and quality visual aids.
ASSESSMENT
There is no final examination for this course. Students are assessed based on the following:
Assessment
Mode of assessment
Weighting (%)
Assignment 1: Report

Group

35

Assignment 2: Abstract

Individual

20

Assignment 3: Oral Presentation

Individual

30

Class Participation

Individual

15

READINGS
Textbook
Krishnan, L. A., Jong, R., Kathpalia, K., & Tam, M.H. (2006). Engineering your report from start to finish (2nd ed.).
Singapore: Pearson.
References
Finkelstein, Jr. L. (2005). Pocket book of technical writing for engineers and scientists (2nd ed.). Singapore: McGrawHill.
Pfeiffer, W.S., & Adkins, K. E. (2010). Technical communication: A practical approach (7th ed.). NJ: Pearson.
Sorby, S.A., & Bulleit, W. M. (2006). An engineers guide to technical communication. NJ: Pearson.

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L A N G U A G E

HW0210

&

C O M M U N I C A T I O N

C E N T R E

TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION

COURSE MATERIAL
Tutorial exercises and some notes covering the topics in this course are available on the main course site of HW0210
Technical Communication. Please bring the tutorial exercises to class every week.
In addition to the main course site, you will also have access to a tutorial site. You will use your tutorial site to
submit the softcopy of your report and individual abstract via Turnitin. Your tutor may also use the tutorial site for
class communication.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
Class participation is compulsory as 15% of your overall assessment comes from class participation. The criteria for
assessing class participation include regular class attendance, active involvement in group and individual work in
class, participation in Q&A session for Assignment 3, and timely submission of class work.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Wk

Tutorial

1
2

No tutorial
Tutorial 1: Introduction to the Course
Course Overview
Research Project Overview
Tutorial 2: Library Workshop
Tutorial 3: Report Writing
Literature Review
Tutorial 4: Conferencing
Tutorial 5: Report Writing
Introduction
Method and Materials (online exercise)
Tutorial 6: Report Writing
Results & Discussion
Tutorial 7: Report Writing
Conclusion & Recommendations
Abstract
Tutorial 8: Conferencing
Tutorial 9: Oral Presentation
Delivery, Content, Organization
Assignment 3: Oral Presentation
Assignment 3: Oral Presentation
Assignment 3: Oral Presentation

3
4
5
6

7
8

9
10
11
12
13

Submission

Informal Research Proposal

Draft Report
Assignment 1: Report
Assignment 2: Abstract

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