ENGL 157 — Communication Skills I

BSc BSc Computer Science · Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES This is a required course aimed at correcting common grammatical errors in the students’ use of English. Here, all first year students are taken through a review of English grammar to enable them learn more appealing ways of communicating messages and presenting information. It focuses on appropriate usage of grammatical and lexical items to enable the student communicate in a more clear and concise manner. While improving students’ use of grammar, it also seeks to expand their vocabulary, leading to more fluency in speaking and writing. Topics such as spelling, parts of speech, punctuation, subject-verb agreement, misrelated and ambiguous constructions, sentence fragments and skills such as reading, comprehension, summary and paragraph writing will be taught. MODE OF DELIVERY Face-to-Face: Lecturer lectures to students by giving them highlights of the topic with corresponding illustrations and applications. This allows for live interaction between the lecturer and the students. The lecture is delivered through a power point presentation, where major points are thoroughly discussed and explained. Online Lectures: These lectures are delivered virtually as opposed to face-to-face lectures. Group Discussions: The class is divided into groups of ten each, headed by their leaders and assistants who anchor the discussion on the topics given, after which the group leaders will either collate their thoughts on the given topic or submit an assignment on the topic. CONTENT Below is an outline that presents the topics to be taught. WEEK(S) TOPIC 1 Overview of the course and Diagnostic test 2-3 Parts of Speech – Usage, Identification and Functions Noun Verb Adjective Adverb Prepositions · Pronoun Conjunction Determiner Interjection 4-5 Sentence Types · Structural Simple sentence Compound sentence Complex sentence · Functional Declarative sentence / Statement Interrogative sentence / Question Imperative sentence / Command Exclamation sentence / Exclamation 6 Errors on sentences Sentence fragments Comma splice Run-on sentences Parallel Structures 7-8 Ambiguities Dangling and misrelated constructions 9-10 Mechanics in language use Concord Punctuation Spelling (An Overview) 11-12 Paragraph writing What is a paragraph? Qualities of a good paragraph Paragraph Development Paragraph Analysis Different paragraph types Expository Descriptive Narrative Argumentative 13 Text Comprehension and Summary Writing 14 Revision 15 End-of-Semester Examination READING LIST Afreh, E.S. (2016/2006), Grammar and Usage for Tertiary Students. Kumasi C&C. Aarts, B. (2011), Oxford Modern English Grammar. Oxford, OUP. Sekyi-Baidoo, Y. (2003). Learning and Communicating (Second Edition). Accra: Infinity Brinton, Laurel J. & Brinton, D. (2010). The Linguistic Structure of Modern English . Amstedam and Philadelphia, John Benjamin Eastwood, John (2019). Oxford Guide to English Grammar , London, Cambridge University Press

Credits

2

Level

Year One

Semester

Semester One

Course details from DETAILED COURSE OUTLINE FOR BSC MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Department of Mechanical Engineering.