Department of Management Sciences

THE INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

COURSE OUTLINE
Course Name Technical and Business Writing Prepared Spring
Course Code ENG-213 On 2023
Credit Hours 03
Instructor Natasha Butt Semester Fall 2023
SYLLABUS
I. Business Communication in the 21st Century
II. Behaviors & Communication Styles
III. Building Rapport
IV. Assertive Listening
V. Business Writing
VI. Technical Materials
VII. Career Building
VIII. Job Inquiry Letter and Interview
IX. Negotiation Skill
X. Business Communication
XI. Organizational Culture
XII. Working In Group/Team
XIII. Presentation skills
XIV. Conflict Management and Customer Service

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. To go for higher education (MS, PhD) in all discipline of computer sciences.
2. To develop and use software development tools and technologies including software
manuals, project reports, and research papers according to industry standards.
3. To demonstrate oral and written communication skills.

4. To perform technical and non-technical jobs in computer science field and to adapt
language and communication styles for various technical and non-technical roles.
5. To identify, formulate, and solves engineering problems using English as a medium to
identify and solve engineering problems.
6. To understand professional and ethical responsibility and apply these in professional
communication

COURSE INTRODUCTION
This course explores the vital role of effective business communication and technical writing in
the modern world. It covers a wide range of topics, from the fundamentals of business
communication to advanced skills like negotiation and conflict management. Students will learn
through lectures, hands-on exercises, role-plays, and assessments to develop the
competencies

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necessary for successful communication in professional settings.

Course Learning Outcomes

The course has been designed to achieve the following objectives:

CLO # Description
1. Analyze research papers from various computer science disciplines to prepare for
higher education.

2. Create precise technical documents (e.g., manuals, reports, papers) meeting

industry standards.

3. Master both oral and written communication for technical and non-technical
audiences.
4. Adapt language and communication for diverse computer science roles.

5. Apply critical thinking in English to solve engineering challenges.

6. Apply ethical principles in tech-related communication

Course Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Objectives, Course Learning Objectives and Course Assessment
Components
Table below indicates how the course learning objectives specifically relate to program learning
objectives.
Program Learning Course Learning Course Assessment
Objectives Objectives Components
PLO 1. To go for higher CLO1. Analyze research Lectures; Class discussions;
education (MS, PhD) in all papers from various Quizzes; Exams.
discipline of computer computer science disciplines
sciences. to prepare for higher
education.

PLO 2. To develop and use CLO2. Create precise Lectures; Class discussions;
software development tools technical documents (e.g., Term project.
and technologies including manuals, reports, papers)
software manuals, project
meeting industry standards.
reports, and research papers
according to industry
standards
PLO 3. To demonstrate oral CLO3.Master both oral and Class discussions;
and written communication written communication for Presentation; Term project.
skills. technical and non-technical
audiences.

PLO 4. To perform technical CLO4.adapt language and Lectures; Class discussions;

and non-technical jobs in communication for diverse Term project.
computer science field and to computer science roles

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 adapt language and
communication styles for
various technical and non-
technical roles.

PLO 5. To identify, formulate, CLO5. Apply critical thinking Lectures; Class discussions;
and solves engineering in English to solve Exams; PPT; Term project.
problems using English as a engineering challenges.
medium to identify, formulate,
and articulate solutions to
engineering challenge
PLO 6. To understand CLO6. Apply ethical Class discussions; PPT;
professional and ethical principles in tech-related Presentation; Term project.
responsibility and apply these communications
in professional
communication

Teaching & Learning Methodology

Class lectures, slides, Audios, Videos, Notes, PDF books, class activities, case studies
Assignments and Quizzes.
Textbook(s)

 How to Win Friends and influence People by Carnegie

 Learn to Win Arguments and Succeed by Gupta
 The Definite book of Body Language by Allan plus Barbara
 Technical Writing for dummies 2nd edition by Robert
 Managing Conflict and Negotiation by B. D Singh

Reference Book(s)
 Communicating at Work by Ronald B. Adler
 Communication Skills for Professionals by Nira Konar
 English Skills with Reading by John Langan
 English Handouts
Grading Policy
Assignment Instruments Percentage
Quizzes 10
Assignments 5
Presentations/ projects 10
Class participation and 5
attendance
Mid Term Exam 30
Final Exam 40

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Week-wise Course Outline
Lectur Contents Activities
e (Lectures, demonstrations,
# assignments, quizzes etc.)
1  What is Business Communication?
 Role of an Effective Communication. Page 159-167
 Unprofessional Communication & its
impact on Business.
2  Flow of Communication CAW (Page 3-25)
 Theories of Communication
3  The Process of Communication and Handouts
Misconceptions.
 Barriers in Effective Communication
4  Passive Style of Communication Handouts
 Aggressive Style of Communication
5  Importance of Assertiveness. Handouts
 (Role Plays) & Feedback.
6  Introduction to Report Handouts
 Connection before Communication
7  Public Relations Handouts
 First Impressions
8  Body Language Handouts
 Self-Assessment
9  Introduction to Listening CSP (Page 149-152)
 What is Empathetic Listening?
 Tips to become an Assertive Listener
10  Barriers to Effective Listening
 Interruptions and Pauses
 Practice Exercises & Feedback
11  Letter Writing Page (87-105)

12  Memo Writing CSP (Page 124-126)

13  Email Writing Handouts

14  Minutes of Meeting Handouts

15  Office Orders Handouts

16 Mid Term Mid Term Exam

17  CV
 Resume Handouts
 Cover Letter

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  Content and formats of CV, Resume
and Cover Letter
18  Conflict Management Handouts
 Conflict Types
 Conflict Resolutions
19  Customer types Handouts
 Customer dealing
 Behavior that Turns off Customers
20  Arguments and Counter arguments Handouts
 Keeping the Table in Control
21  Keeping the Options Open Handouts
 Dialogue Verbalism
 Concluding the Negotiation

22  Persuasive Presentations CAW (Page 419-437)

 Informative Presentations
23  Group Presentations CAW (Page 369-380)
 Types of delivery (Manuscript,
memorized, Impromptu,
Extemporaneous)
24  Short and Long Reports RWS (Page 99-151)
 Brochures +Handouts
 Articles for Journals
 Blogs
25  Proposals (Solicited, Unsolicited, Handouts
Formal and Informal)
26  Introduction of Organizational Culture CAW (Page 35-55)
 Dimensions of Organizational Culture
27  Differences between postmodern and Handouts
Modern Organizational culture

28  Characteristics of Work Teams CAW (Page 223-227)

(Interdependence, duration, goal
directedness, duration)

29  Approaches to Working in Groups CAW (Page 227-236)

(Leadership emergence, centralized
leadership, Self-directed work teams)

30  Process and types of Interviews CAW (Page 155-177)

 Preparing for the Interview
 Ethics of Interview

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 31  Problem-solving communication CAW (Page 238-247)
(systematic problem solving, stages in
group problem solving, decision-
making method)

32 Final Term Final Term

Final Project Outline

For the term project, consider a comprehensive business communication plan along with PPT
slides for a fictitious or real company. The plan should include elements such as:

Communication Strategy: Develop a strategy for effective internal and external

communication within the organization.

Crisis Communication Plan: Create a crisis communication plan outlining how the company
will communicate during crises or emergencies.

Social Media Strategy: Outline a social media strategy for the company to enhance its online
presence and engagement.

Customer Communication: Develop customer communication templates, such as email

responses, to ensure consistency in customer interactions.

Employee Training: Propose a training program to enhance communication skills among

employees.

Measurement and Evaluation: Describe how the effectiveness of the communication plan will
be measured and evaluated over time.

Note: (This project will allow students to integrate their knowledge and skills in business
communication into a practical plan that can be used in a real-world business scenario).

Deadline: One week before Final Exam

Assignments

Assertive Listening: Record and transcribe a conversation, highlighting instances of effective

and ineffective listening. Analyze and provide feedback.

Career Building: Develop your own CV, resume, and cover letter for a fictional job application
along with a job inquiry letter to a company of your choice, and prepare a comprehensive
interview strategy.

Negotiation Skill: Simulate a negotiation scenario, present your argument, counter-arguments,

and negotiation outcomes.

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 ________________________________________________________________

Quizzes

 Business Writing
 Conflict Management and Customer Service
 Organizational Culture

General Instructions for Students:

 Come in formal dressing like business students

 Follow attendance policy
 Behave professionally in the classroom
 Be aware of instructions issued by the teacher time to time

NOTE: Understanding the lectures, doing assignments will be very helpful in quizzes, mid-term
and final to get a good grade. IN FACT, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CONCENTRATE ON
GETTING THE KNOWLEDGE NOT JUST THE GRADE.

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