CPIT 221 Syllabus
Objectives
This course covers the fundamentals of technical communication. It provides fundamental concepts,
techniques, and genres commonly used in the workplace.
Course Description
1 Topics to be Covered:
The following topics are presented in sufficient details:
1. Introduction to Technical Communications
2. Collaboration and writing
3. Visual Design
4. Letter, Memo and Electronic Correspondence
5. Definitons and Descriptions
6. Reports
7. Proposals
8. Presentations
9. The Job Search
10. Style in Technical Writing
2 Textbook:
Technical Communication Fundamentals, 1st Edition, William Sanborn Pfeiffer and Kaye
Adkins, ISBN 13: 978-0132374576
3 ABET Student Outcomes (SO’s):
SO1: ABET-D
SO2: ABET-E
SO3: ABET-F
List of Topics
Introduction to Technical
Communications
Collaboration and writing
Visual Design
Letter, Memo and Electronic
Correspondence
Definitons and Descriptions
Topic Details
Definition of Technical Communication, Difference
of Technical communication with Academic writing,
Processes in Technical Communication,
Characteristics, Ethics oj the Job and writing
Approaches to collaboration, Collaboration and
writing process, Teamwork
Elements of Page Design, Elements for Navigation,
Fonts, General Guidelines for Graphics, Specific
Guidelines for Six Graphics, Misuse of Graphics,
Computers In the Visual Design Process
General Guidelines for Correspondence, Letters,
Memoranda, Email, Memoranda versus Email
Definitions versus Descriptions, Guidelines for
Writing Definitions, Guidelines for Writing
Descriptions
No. of
Weeks
2
1
2
1
1
General Guidelines for Reports, Guidelines for
Informal Reports
Guidelines for Formal Reports, Formal Report
Example, Four Common Reports
Guidelines for informal proposals, Guidelines for
formal proposals
Presentations and Your Career, Guidelines for
Preparation and Delivery, Guidelines for Presentation
Graphics
Researching Occupations and Companies, Job
Correspondence
Job Interviews
Overview of Style, Writing Clear Sentences
Being Concise
Being Accurate in Wording, Using the Active Voice,
Using Nonsexist Language, Plain English and
Simplified English
Reports
Proposals
Presentations
The Job Search
Style in Technical Writing
2
1
1
2
1
Grading Policy (Updated)
First Exam
Second Exam
Final
Assignment
Group Project
Presentation
Total
15
15
30
15
15
10
100
Assignment Marks Distribution:
Assignment No
1
2
3
4
5
Chapters Covered
1
2,3
4,5
7,8
10
Marks
Total
2
4
3
4
2
15
Project Description:
The students will be given a group project to prepare a formal report/formal proposal on a given
topic. The students must prepare the report using modular writing technique following any
appropriate collaborative approach. The project report will be evaluated based on the following
rubrics:
Rubrics
1. The students followed a
collaborative approach
appropriately.
2. Modular writing is efficiently
done with all necessary sections
of a formal report/proposal.
3. Provided sufficient graphical
elements
4. No plagiarism found.
5. Appendices and references are
given in a proper way.
6. The sentences are clear and
well-organized.
Marks
3
3
2
3
2
2
Total
15