Course detail
Introduction to Technical Writing
FSI-0TW Acad. year: 2021/2022 Summer semester
Introduction to Technical Writing provides students with language suitable for writing in English in technical contexts, both professional and elementary academic ones. For mechanical engineering graduates, such writing skill is key as it increases their employability and sets foundations for writing long academic texts in English. The course includes an e-learning module.
Language of instruction
English
Number of ECTS credits
4
Supervisor
Department
Learning outcomes of the course unit
The course develops knowledge that students acquired in A5 and A6 courses on B2 level of CEFR. This knowledge is then concentrated into the main goal, which is the writing skill. At the end of the course students will be able to write a short scientific or technical report. To reach this goal, students will get acquainted with a written communication model, descriptive rhetorical functions and will also develop relevant grammar and vocabulary.
Prerequisites
7AZ or GEN3 examination.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Seminars and e-learning module.
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes
The credit and examination comprise regular attendance, e-learning exercises and a one- or two-page-long technical report on a given topic.
Aims
The focus is on the practice of primarily descriptive rhetorical functions used in technical writing and linguistic features connected with their use. At the end of the course students will be able to write a report.
Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences
Attendance at seminars is compulsory and is systematically checked by the teacher. Two absences are allowed.
The study programmes with the given course
Programme N-OBN-P: Common Offer, Master's, elective
Programme B-OBN-P: Common Offer, Bachelor's, elective
Type of course unit
Language exercise
26 hours, compulsory
Syllabus
1. Writing Skills Analysis.
2. Communication, Rhetoric, Genres.
3. Purposes, Topics and Main Ideas.
4. Definitions.
5. Explanations, Examples and Classifications.
6. Describing Graphs, Tables and Charts.
7. Describing Maps, Diagrams and Schemes.
8. Describing Functions and Processes.
9. Cause and Effect .
10. Comparison and Contrast.
11. Cohesion.
12. Evaluation.
13. Report.