GHANA TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

SECOND SEMESTER, 2017/2018

COURSE: ENGL 176 – TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS (2HRS)
OFFICE HOURS: TUESDAY/THURSDAY 1:00PM – 3:00PM (C 58 – TESANO)

Course Description: The Communication Skills course aims to improve students’ knowledge and skills in the
various forms of communication, which will enable students to exhibit good communicative skills in society
and work places. Certain specific skills that this course will instill in students are analytical/ diagnostic,
interpersonal and referencing skills, which are relevant to students’ academic life and career purposes.

Course Objectives (i) To develop and enhance students’ ability to communicate effectively in both speaking
and writing for academic and career purposes. (ii) To enhance students’ understanding of the various modes of
communications, e.g. Interpersonal, intrapersonal, public, etc., as well as their essence in communication.

Course Content
SESSION 1: Overview of communication – communication forms and effectiveness.

SESSION 2: Issues in grammar – concord, homonyms, parallel structures, misplaced modifiers, etc.

SESSION 3: Reading and comprehension – (a) techniques for effective reading - skimming, scanning,
intensive, extensive, critical/close readings. (b) Reading problems/difficulties and how to overcome them.

SESSION 4: The paragraph – (a) elements and qualities of a paragraph (b) paragraph types.

SESSION 5: The paragraph - Developing and achieving good paragraphs.

SESSION 6: Documentation and referencing skills – Using the APA styles of referencing – Writing the
bibliography, and avoiding plagiarism.

SESSION 7: Mid-semester Examination (Students should gather at the classroom allocated to the course
for mid-sem. Examination)

SESSION 8: Ensuring credibility in writing (incorporating others’ ideas) – Writing a summary.

SESSION 9 Ensuring credibility in writing (incorporating others’ ideas) – Writing a paraphrase; quoting, etc.

SESSION 10: Presentation Skills – making academic presentations.

SESSION 11: Writing: The writing process & the structure of an essay.

SESSION 12: Miscellaneous Writing: Letters; Article & Rejoinder; Report & Memorandum; Petition &
Resolution, etc.
Reading list:

Afful, P. K., F. B. Appiah & I.C. Mensah (2013). Composition and Comprehension. Winneba:
IEDE – University of Education.
Amuzu, E. K., S. B. Norgbe & D. Odoi (2010). UGRC 210: Academic Writing 2. Legon,
University of Ghana Press.
Batra, A.K. (2007). Art of Public Speaking. New Delhi: Lotus Press.
Hacker, D. (2003). A Writer’s Reference 5th Edition. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s
Pickett, N. A. & Laster, A. A. (1996). Technical English: Writing, Reading, & Speaking.
HarperCollins College Publishers
Quagie, J. K. (2010). English: A Tool for Communication for Universities & Tertiary
Institutions. Accra: Hybrid Publications.
Sekyi-Baidoo, Y. (2003). Learning and Communicating, (2nd Edition). Accra: Infinity Press.

Assessment: Tests/Quizzes, Mid-semester/Written Report: 30 marks

Final Examination: 70 marks
Total 100 marks

Lecturer: I. D. Darko
Contact: 0205435922 / idarko@gtuc.edu.gh