Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, Rajasthan

Work-Integrated Learning Programmes Division

MS Quality Management Programme

In Association with

Indian Institute of Quality Management (IIQM), Jaipur

Second Semester 2013-2014

Course Number : QMJ ZG658

Course Title: Technical Communication

Instructor : Virendra Singh Nirban

Course Description :

Role and importance of communication; effectiveness in oral and written communication; technical reports; technical proposals; research papers, interpersonal communication; business correspondence; précis writing; memorandum; notices, agenda and minutes; oral communication related to meetings, seminars, conferences, group discussions, etc.; use of modern communication aids.

Scope of the Course:

  • To introduce the learners to the nuances of various genres of technical communication, both oral and written
  • To guide students through self-study and assignments, in performing their communicative tasks in real-life work environment.
  • To enable them strengthen their oral and written communication skills so that they can achieve their professional goals more effectively.

Prescribed Text Book

T1.Raman Meenakshi and Sangeeta Sharma, Technical Communication: Principles and Practice. Oxford University Press, 2004

Reference Book(s)

R1.Stevenson, Susan and Steve Whitmore, Strategies for Engineering Communication, Wiley Singapore Edition .2002

R2.Gerson, Sheron J and Steven M. Gerson, Technical Writing, 3rd Edition, 2000 Delhi Addison Wesley Longman Pte. Ltd.

QMJ ZG658 (Course Handout) Second Semester 2013-2014 Page 2

Plan of Self-Study

S.No. / Topics / Reference toText Book
1 / Process of Communication: Process, Characteristics, Levels, Flow, Networks and Importance / T1-Ch.1
2 / Barriers to Communication : Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, and Organizational / T1-Ch.2
3 / Technology in Communication: Software for Creating, Messages, Software for writing Documents, Software for Presenting Documents, and Transmitting Documents / T1-Ch.3
4 / Active Listening: Types, Traits of a good Listener, Active versus Passive Listening, and Implications of Effective Listening / T1-Ch.4
5 / Effective Presentation: Analysing Audience, Organising Contents, Preparing an outline, Visual aids, Types of Delivery, Kinesics, Proxemics, Paralinguistics, Chronemics / T1-Ch.5
6 / Fundamentals of Writing: Words and Phrases, Sentences and Paragraphs / T1-Ch.8,9,10
7 / Fundamentals of Writing: Art of Condensation, Reading Comprehension / T1-Ch.11,12
8 / Letters: Structure, Principles, Types / T1-Ch. 13
Syllabus for Mid-Semester Test (Closed Book): Topics covered in S.No. 1 to 8
9 / Group Communication: Group Discussions, Meetings and Conference / T1-Ch.6
10 / Group Communication: Mock GD followed by comments / T1-Ch.6
11 / Job Interviews: Types, Preparation, Success and Failure Factors / T1-Ch.7
12 / Reports: Importance, Preparatory Steps and Structure / T1-Ch.14, Appendices A to E
13 / Reports:Written Pactice / T1-Ch.14, Appendices A to E
14 / Proposals: Definition, Types, Structure and Style / T1-Ch.15
15 / Research Paper, Dissertation and Thesis / T1-Ch.16
16 / Instruction Manuals and Technical Description / T1-Ch.17
Syllabus for Comprehensive Exam (Open Book): All topics given in the Plan of Self Study

Note: For the Contact Programmes Test, syllabus will be limited to topics covered during contact session.

QMJ ZG658 (Course Handout) Second Semester 2013-2014 Page 3

Evaluation Scheme

Evaluation Component / Duration / Weightage / Date & Time
Test / 2 Hours / 20% / During Contact programme
Mid-Semester Test (Closed Book) / 2 Hours / 30% / Sunday, 16/02/2014 (AN)
2 PM – 4 PM
Comprehensive Exam (Open Book) / 3 Hours / 50% / Sunday, 06/04/2014 (AN)
2 PM – 5 PM

AN: Afternoon Session; FN: Forenoon Session

Closed Book Test: No reference material of any kind will be permitted inside the exam hall.

Open Book Exam: Use of any printed / written reference material (books and notebooks) will be permitted inside the exam hall. Loose sheets of paper will not be permitted. Computers of any kind will not be allowed inside the exam hall. Use of calculators will be allowed in all exams. No exchange of any material will be allowed.

Note:

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/on demand lectures as per details that would be put up in the BITS LMS Taxila website and take all the prescribed components of the evaluation such as Assignment (Course Page on LMS Taxila), Mid Semester Test and Comprehensive Examination according to the Evaluation Scheme given in the respective Course Handout. If the student is unable to appear for the Regular Test/Examination due to genuine exigencies, the student must refer to the procedure for applying for Make-up Test/Examination, which will be available through the Important Informationlink on the BITS LMS Taxila website on the date of the Regular Test/Examination. The Make-up Tests/Exams will be conducted only at selected exam centres on the dates to be announced later.

Instructor-in-Charge