GURU TEGH BAHADUR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
SEMESTER: 1
ACADEMIC PLAN FOR 2012-2013
Lecture Plan: ETEL 111
Subject: Communication Skills-1
Total Teaching during Semester: 16 weeks
COURSE OBJECTIVE: The thrust on remedial grammar, technical writing, reading skills
and critical appreciation of scientific and technical essays in the first semester ensures students’
acquisition of linguistic competence and sound basics of the English language. The course
encompasses much more than the mechanics of grammar, punctuation and spelling. Through
exposure to scientific literature and composition, students are afforded the opportunity to sharpen
their critical reading and writing skills.
Lectures-2
Tutorials-1 Credits-3
TOPICS TO BE COVERED
1st TERM
1. Introduction to Communication Skills
LECT. (32)
TUT. (16)
1
Remedial Grammar:
2. Errors of Accidence and Syntax with reference to parts of
speech
3
1
3. Agreement of Subject and Verb
2
1
4. Tense and Concord
1
1
5. Conditional Clauses & Use of connectives in complex
and compound sentences
1
1
6. Question tags and short responses
1
1
Vocabulary and Usage
7. Word Formation (by adding suffixes and prefixes)
1
8. Synonyms & Antonyms; Homophones and Homonyms
1
1
9. One Word Substitution
1
10. Misappropriations; Indianisms
1
11. Redundant Words; Phrasal Verb Idioms
1
2
Technical Writing:
(A) Scientific Attitude and Impersonal Style
1
12. Plain Statements, Definitions
1
13. Description and explanations (of objects, instruments,
Processes, Scientific Principles etc.)
1
1
I Terminal Test **********
2nd Term
1
1
15. Paragraph Writing (Paragraph division, introduction and
conclusion, variety in sentences and paragraphs)
1
1
16. Interpretation and use of charts, graphs and tables in
technical writing
1
17. Punctuation
1
2
1
1
14. Summarizing and abstracting; Expressing ideas within a
restricted word limit
(B) Reading at various speeds (slow, fast, very fast)
18. Reading different kinds of text for different purposes
(e.g. for relaxation, for information, for discussion at later
stage, etc.); reading between lines. Basics of reading
aloud (Pronunciation, pauses, clarity, tone, rhythm, etc.).
Reading in class by students.
19. Comprehension of Unseen Passages
1
1
Text: The following prose pieces from Best Science
Writing: Reading and Insights edited by Robert Gannon
prescribed text (Hyderabad: University Press, India)
20. Chapter 2: “After 63 years, Why Are they Still Testing
Einstein?” by C. P. Gilmore
2
21. Chapter 5: “Star Wars: The Leaky Shield” by Carl Sagan.
2
22. Chapter 10: “Chaos: The Ultimate Asymmetry” by
Arthur Fisher.
2
II Terminal Test***************
3rd Term
23. Chapter 11: “Bill Moss, Tentmaker” by Robert Gannon.
2
24. Chapter 12: “Totality- A Report” by Michael Rogers
2
Learning Outcomes: This course has been designed to develop communication skills of
budding engineers and to make them more comfortable users of the English Language. More
than teaching English with an exam-oriented approach the emphasis is being given to teaching
English as a life skill.

The ability to use the English language competently.

Imaginative and supple use of language.

High order writing skills.

Synoptic grasp of complex ideas.

Flexibility in drawing on different media as appropriate

Willingness to contribute to and play a part in scholarly environments and
collaborative endeavor.
Text Books:
1. Maison, Margaret M. Examine Your English, Hyderabad: Orient Longman, 1980.
2. Sharma, R.S. Technical Writing. Delhi: Radha Publication, 1999.
3. Sudarsanam, R. Understanding Technical English. Delhi: Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd.,
1992.
4. Gannon, Robert, Ed. Best Science Writing: Reading and Insights. Hyderabad: University
Press (India) Limited, 1991.
Reference Books:
Wren, P.C. and H. Martin. High School English Grammar and Composition.
Pal, Rajendra and Prem Lata Suri. English Grammar and Composition.
Sharma, R.C. and Krishna Mohan. Business Correspondence and Report Writing, New
Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill, 2007.
Prasad, P. The Functional Aspects of Communication Skills, New Delhi: SK Kataria & Sons,
2008.
Gupta, C.B. Communication Skills-I. Delhi: Mayur Paperbacks, 2010.
Website References:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/english/homonyms/
http://www.englishforeveryone.org/Topics/Homonyms,%20Homographs,%20and%20Homophon
es.htm
http://www.learnenglish.de/mistakes/CommonMistakes.htm
http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/subjectVerbAgree.asp
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/599/01/
http://www.towson.edu/ows/moduleSVAGR.htm
http://www.towson.edu/ows/punctREV.htm
http://www.buowl.boun.edu.tr/students/grammar/writing%20guides/SUBJECT%20VERB%20A
GREEMENT.htm
http://www.aug.edu/~mduignan/Subject_verb_update_Spring_08.pdf
http://www.chillibreeze.com/articles/IsitIndianEnglishorEnglishinIndia.asp
http://ababasoft.com/speedreading/five_types_of_reading.htm
http://www.yourdictionary.com/grammar-rules/20-Rules-of-subject-verb-agreement.html
http://www.firstschoolyears.com/literacy/word/other/homonyms/homonyms.htm
http://grammar.about.com/od/words/a/redundancies.htm
http://www.fun-with-words.com/redundant_phrases.html
http://www.learn-english-today.com/phrasal-verbs/phrasal-verb-list.htm
http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/phrasal-verbs-list.htm
http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/927399-How-To-Write-A-Good-Paragraph
Seema Singh
Lecturer-in-English
Subject Coordinator