Saigon Institute of Technology
Houston Community College
Saigon Institute of Technology http://www.saigontech.edu.vn
Houston Community College System http://csci.hccs.edu
ENGLISH 2311
Technical and Industrial Correspondence and Report Writing
SYLLABUS
Instructor: Pham Binh Phuong
Email address:binhphuong40@gmail.com
Quang Trung Tower
Thursdays: 7.30 -10.40
Course Description:
Prerequisite: ENGL 1301
Credit: 3
Course Objectives:
_ Provide the fundamentals of technical communication (SLO 1,5,7)
_ Train students to write standard business documents including résumé, letters, memos, brochures,
manuals, minutes, short reports, and a research document. (SLO 2,3,4,6)
Student Learning Outcomes
1.Analyze communication contexts rhetorically by understanding audiences, purposes, and situations
2.Create technical documents that solve problems and improve situations through communication
3.Write effective technical prose and edit documents for clarity and conciseness
4.Design convincing and usable documents
5.Analyze the ethical responsibilities involved in technical communication
6.Communicate effectively with diverse audiences
7. Collaborate on communication projects
Type of instruction: lecture
Instructional method: face-to-face
Text book: Markel M. (2010). Technical Communication. ( 9th ed.). MA: Bedford / St.Martin’s
ISBN -13: 978-0-312-69216-2
ISBN-10: 0-312-69216-1
Reference books:
1. Houp K.W., Pearsall T.E., Tebaux E., & Dragga S. (2006). Reporting Technical Information. (11th ed.).
New York: Oxford University Press.
2. Alfred G. J., Brusaw C.T.,& Oliu W.E. (2003). Handbook of Technical Writing.(7th ed.). New York:
St. Martin’s Press.
Course Requirements and Expectations:
1. Attendance: Class attendance is necessary, mandatory, and expected. Students are expected
to be present for all classes unless there is an urgent reason to be absent. It is impossible to
pass the course without attending the class. If a student is absent, s/he should meet with the
instructor about missed assignments as soon as the student returns to class. It is the student’s
responsibility to ask about assignments or material missed.
2. Tardiness: Punctuality is expected. Students are expected to arrange their schedules so that
they can be on time. If a student comes to class after class begins, s/he must check with the
instructor after class that day to have the attendance record corrected.
3. Etiquette: College students are expected to be adults and to abide by the school’s Code of
Ethics. Persons who do not behave accordingly will be dismissed from class – perhaps for the
session. Refrain from carrying on private conversations, attending to personal hygiene, or
working on material for other classes. Cell phones and pagers are not allowed except in
emergencies.
4. Assignments: Assignments will be announced in class. Students are expected to prepare the
lesson before class.
5. Make-up work: Assignments must be submitted on the due day. Students are permitted to turn
in late work or missed assignments provided that they complete the work within a reasonable
time frame as established by the instructor. Ten (10) points will be deducted if the assignment is
up to one week late; twenty (20) points will be deducted if the assignment is more than two
weeks late. No make-up work will be accepted during the final week of classes or during final
exams.
This class aims to establish and maintain a positive learning environment based upon communication and
mutual respect. It will be conducted in accordance with SaigonTech's commitment to social justice and
academic honesty. Therefore, the regulations above will be applied throughout the course.
Course Evaluation:
Percent
30
15
25
25
5
100
Item
Review 2 and 4: 2 Mini-tests
Review 1 and 3
MID-TERM TEST
FINAL TEST
attendance, discussion, questions and answers
Total
Grade Equivalents:
Grade
A-Excellent
B-Good
C-Satisfactory
F-Failure
Score
90-100 %
80-89 %
70-79 %
0-69 %
Course Calendar: 16 weeks
WEEK
1
19/9
TOPICS
Developing and Testing the Verbal Information:
Communicating persuasively
Writing coherent documents
READINGS
Part 3: 8, 9
Practice 1
2
26/9
Understanding the Technical Communication
Environment
Part 1: 1, 2, 3, 4
Presentation - Discussion
3
3/10
Developing and Testing the Verbal Information:
Writing coherent documents
Writing effective sentences
Part 3: 9, 10
Practice 2
4
10/10
Planning the Document
Audience, Purpose, Subject
Organizing information
Part 2: 5, 6, 7
Practice 3
5
17/10
Review 1: Correction – Evaluation: Practice 1, 2, 3
6
24/10
Developing and Testing the Visual Information:
Designing documents and websites
Creating graphics
Part 3: 11,12
Reviewing, evaluating, and testing Documents
and websites
Part 3: 13
Practice
7
31/10
8
7/11
Review 2 – Mini - test 1
MID-TERM TEST
9
14/11
Important Applications: Letters, Memos, and Emails
Part 4: 14
Practice 4
10
21/11
Important Applications: Job – Application and
Proposals
Part 4: 15, 16
Practice 5
11
28/11
Important Applications: Informational Reports and Lab
Reports
Practice 6
12
5/12
Review 3: Correction – Evaluation: Practice 4, 5, 6
13
12/12
Important Applications: Recommendation Reports and
Definitions, Descriptions, and Instructions
14
19/12
Review 4 – Mini - test 2
15
26/12
16
2/1
Exam
Part 4: 19, 20
FINAL TEST
students’ oral presentations and teacher’s comments
Exam Type
Open/Closed
book
Number of
Questions
Closed
10 theoretical
questions +
2 essay
questions
Paper-based
Mid-term
Part 4: 17, 18
Duration
(minutes)
90
Points Chapters
100
1->10
+14
Paper-based
Final
Closed
10 theoretical
questions +
2 essay
questions
11 ->21
120
100