ENGL 158 — Communication Skills II

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

DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES The course helps students to become better communicators. Its focus is to equip students with the relevant skills that allows for communication of rules, policies and procedures within organizations in a more comprehensible manner. It emphasizes on both verbal and nonverbal forms of communication in order to produce a well- equipped student who functions suitably in a world in which effective communication is crucial for success. Topics such as communication in organizations, memos, briefs, letters and CVs, reports, minutes, proposals, oral communication and presentation skills 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 Adesanya, F. (2007) (Ed.). The art of proofreading. Illorin: Glory Prints. Adolinama, P. P. (2005). Communication skills for university students. Accra: ANEST Company Limited. Sekyi-Baidoo, Y. (2003). Learning and Communicating (Second Edition). Accra: Infinity Alred, G. J., Brusaw, C. T. & Oliu, W. E. (2009). The business writer’s handbook (9 th ed). Boston: Bedford/St.Martin’s. Bargeila-Chiappini, F., Nicherson, C. & Planken, B. (2007). Business Discourse. Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan.

Credits

2

Level

Year One

Semester

Semester Two

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