SRI VENKATESWARA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

(AUTONOMOUS)
R.V.S. Nagar, Chittoor

20AHS16 ADVANCED ENGLISH COMMUNICATION SKILLS LAB

L T P C
1 0 2 2
UNIT – 1
Inter-personal Communication and Building Vocabulary – Starting a conversation–
Responding appropriately and relevantly – Using appropriate Body language – Role play in
Different situations - Synonyms and antonyms, One-word substitutes, Prefixes and suffixes, Idioms
and Phrases and Collocations
UNIT - 2
Reading Comprehension – General Vs Local Comprehension, Reading for Facts, Guessing
meanings from Context, Skimming, Scanning and Inferring meaning
UNIT - 3
Writing Skills – Structure and Presentation of Different Types of Writing – Letter
Writing/Resume Writing/ e-correspondence/ Technical Report Writing
UNIT - 4
Presentation Skills – Oral Presentations (individual or group) through JAM
Sessions/Seminars/PPTs and Written Presentations through Posters/Projects/Reports/e-
mails/Assignments etc.
UNIT - 5
Group Discussion and Interview Skills – Dynamics of Group discussion, Intervention,
Summarizing, Modulation of voice, Body Language, Relevance, Fluency and organization of
ideas and rubrics of evaluation - Concept and Process of interviews, Pre-interview planning,
Opening strategies, Answering Strategies, Interview through Tele-conference & Video-
conference and Mock Interviews.
Course Outcomes: Students will be able to:
CO1: Understand language fluency through conversational practices and use appropriate body
language during communication.
CO2: Apply synonyms, antonyms, one word substitutes, prefixes and suffixes to develop
vocabulary to comprehend oral and written communication.
CO3: Analyze reading and writing techniques in preparing letters, resumes and technical reports
by examining and applying guessing meaning, scanning, skimming and interfering meaning.
CO4: Demonstrate ability to function effectively as an individual and as a member in diverse teams
by applying skills of Oral presentations, Interviews and Group Discussions.

1
 UNIT 1
Interpersonal Communication and Building Vocabulary
Interpersonal communication is the process by which people exchange information, feelings, and
meaning through verbal and non-verbal messages. It is face-to-face communication. Interpersonal
communication is not just about what is actually said i.e. the language used but it is all about how
it is said and the non-verbal messages sent through tone of voice, facial expressions, gestures and
body language.
Uses of Interpersonal Communication:
Most of us engage in some form of interpersonal communication on a regular basis, how well we
communicate with others is a measure of our interpersonal skills.
Interpersonal communication is a key life skill and can be used to:
• Give and collect information.
• Influence the attitudes and behavior of others.
• Form contacts and maintain relationships.
• Make sense of the world and our experiences in it.
• Express personal needs and understand the needs of others.
• Give and receive emotional support.
• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Anticipate and predict behavior.
• Regulate power.
Elements of Interpersonal Communication
These are the following elements of interpersonal communication include:
1. Communicators
2. Message
3. Channel
4. Receiver
5. Noise
6. Feedback
7. Context
Communicators
For any communication to occur there must be at least two people involved. It is easy to think
about communication involving a sender and a receiver of a message.

2
In fact, communications are almost always complex, two-way processes, with people sending and
receiving messages to and from each other simultaneously. In other words, communication is an
interactive process. While one person is talking the other is listening – but while listening they are
also sending feedback in the form of smiles, head nods etc.
Message
Message not only means the speech used or information conveyed, but also the non-verbal
messages exchanged such as facial expressions, tone of voice, gestures and body language. Non-
verbal behaviour can convey additional information about the spoken message. In particular, it can
reveal more about emotional attitudes which may underlie the content of speech.
Channel
The channel refers to the physical means by which the message is transferred from one person to
another. In a face-to-face context, the channels which are used are speech and vision, however,
during a telephone conversation the channel is limited to speech alone.
Receiver
The receiver of the message is the person or persons who interpret the message and ultimately
determine whether your message was understood and appropriate. As we emphasize in this book,
effective communicators are other-oriented; they understand that the listener ultimately makes
sense of the message they express
Noise
Noise has a special meaning in communication theory. It refers to anything that distorts the
message so that what is received is different from what is intended by the speaker. Whilst physical
‘noise’ (for example, background sounds or a low-flying jet plane) can interfere with
communication, other factors are considered to be ‘noise’.
The use of complicated jargon, inappropriate body language, inattention, disinterest, and cultural
differences can be considered ‘noise’ in the context of interpersonal communication. In other
words, any distortions or inconsistencies that occur during an attempt to communicate can be seen
as noise.
Feedback
Feedback consists of messages the receiver returns, which allows the sender to know how
accurately the message has been received, as well as the receiver’s reaction. The receiver may also
respond to the unintentional message as well as the intentional message.

3
Types of feedback range from direct verbal statements. For example, “Say that again, I don’t
understand”, to subtle facial expressions or changes in posture that might indicate to the sender
that the receiver feels uncomfortable with the message. Feedback allows the sender to regulate,
adapt or repeat the message in order to improve communication.
Context
All communication is influenced by the context in which it takes place. However, apart from
looking at the situational context of where the interaction takes place, for example in a room,
office, or perhaps outdoors, the social context also needs to be considered, for example, the roles,
responsibilities and relative status of the participants.
The emotional climate and participants’ expectations of the interaction will also affect the
communication
Tips for Effective Interpersonal Communication
These are the following 10 tips for effective interpersonal communication which are given below:
1. Start With Yourself
2. Keep Your Audience in Mind
3. Choose Your Timing
4. Be Clear About What You Need To Achieve
5. Consider Your Tone and Approach
6. Be Present
7. Be Prepared
8. Listen More Than You Talk
9. Check Your Understanding
10. Be Yourself
Role-play
Role-play is the act of imitating the character and behavior of someone who is different from you.
An example of role playing is when you pretend that your friend is your boss and you have a
practice conversation in which you ask for a raise.
Role-play allows one to undergo cognitive, emotional and physical as well as language
development, in a fun and creative way with more freedom to express themselves and their ideas
Key benefits role-play
• Develops communication and language skills.
• Allows children to act out and make sense of real-life situations.

4
 • Allows children to explore, investigate and experiment.
• Develops social skills as children collaborate with other
Vocabulary
Synonyms
Synonyms refer to words that have the same or similar meaning to another word.
Antonyms
Antonyms are words that mean the exact opposite of another word.

One-Word Substitutes
One word substitution is the use of one word in place of a wordy phrase in order to make the
sentence structure clearer. The meaning, with the replacement of the phrase remains identical while
the sentence becomes shorter.
Phrase One-Word Substitute
A person who knows everything Omniscient
One who speaks less Reticent
A person who is above hundred years Centenarian
One who believes in God Theist
One who is unable to pay his debts Insolvent
One who loves mankind Philanthropist
A speech delivered without any previous preparation Extempore
One who knows many languages Polyglot
A handwriting that cannot be read Illegible
One who is indifferent to pleasure or pain Stoic
One who looks on the bright side of things Optimist

Prefix and suffix

5
A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a word that changes the word's meaning. A suffix
is a word part added to the end of a word that changes the word's meaning. Learning the meanings
of prefixes and suffixes will help expand your vocabulary, which will help improve your writing.

Idioms and Phrases

In grammatical terms a phrase is a group of words used to define an expression. An idiom is an
expression made by grouping words together to mean something that is different from the literal
meaning of the phrase or saying. Phrases can be taken literally while idioms are not literal in
their meaning but figurative.

Idiom Meaning Usage

A little learning is a People who don't understand by itself

dangerous thing something fully are dangerous
A snowball effect Events have momentum and build as part of a
upon each other sentence
A snowball's chance in hell No chance at all as part of a
sentence
A stitch in time saves nine Fix the problem now because it will by itself
get worse later

6
 Idiom Meaning Usage

A storm in a teacup A big fuss about a small problem as part of a

sentence
An apple a day keeps the Apples are good for you by itself
doctor away
An ounce of prevention is You can prevent a problem with little by itself
worth a pound of cure effort. Fixing it later is harder.

Collocations
A collocation is two or more words that often go together. These combinations just sound "right"
to native English speakers, who use them all the time.
In other words collocation is 'a predictable combination of words' for example we can say heavy
rain but not strong rain because it does not sound right' likewise, we can say 'do exercise' but not
'make exercise'. Collocations can be made up of any kinds of words such as verbs, nouns, adverbs
and adjectives.
Examples: “pay attention",
"fast food",
"make an effort",
and "powerful engine".

UNIT 2
Reading Comprehension
Reading comprehension refers to the ability to understand the information presented in
written form.
7
Purpose of reading:
The purpose of reading is to connect the ideas on the page to what you already know.
Reading rates:
Your reading rate will vary depending upon the reading material. For example, an
exciting novel is quicker read than a text in biology or history. Text books also vary in,
how well they are written and as a consequence some are more difficult or boring to read.
In order to increase our speed you must take in more words with each eye-fixation. In
order to increase our speed the following points must be focused upon:
• Try to avoid focusing on every word, but rather look at groups of two or three words.
• Update your vocabulary with new words, so that you do not get struck up when you
read them again.
• Develop the reading habit at least to half-an-hour a day.
• Spend a few minutes a day reading at a faster rate than your comfortable rate.
• If you have poor concentration while reading, practice reading for only 5-10 minutes
at a time and gradually increase it.
Reasons for poor comprehension:
The main reasons for poor reading comprehension are:
• Inability to understand a word and a sentence.
• Inability to understand how sentences relate to one another.
• Inability to understand how the information fits together in a meaningful way.
Improving comprehension skills
• Read a variety of materials other than text books.
• Try to read an entire section or a chapter for easy understanding.
• Underline unknown or unfamiliar words.
• After reading, recall maximum information possible and note down the important points.
• Consider how interesting the subject matter is and how much you already know
about the subject. This will help you in self analysis.

Improved reading comprehension skills can positively impact many facets of students’
academic performance, leading to improved class participation and more accurate and
complete notes.
The following techniques are usually applied for improving comprehension skills.
8
Skimming and Scanning:
Before start in to read a text in detail, take a moment to preview the text. Read quickly
without pausing for the details. This is called skimming. After having skimmed the text,
we can study in more detailed looking for the information that you are interested in. This
is known as scanning.
It is very difficult to remember the complete contents of long texts. Hence, it‘s advisable
to make notes of essential information in the text. This results in a short outline of the
text containing all its important aspects.
Extensive Reading: Extensive reading is used to obtain a general understanding of a
subject and includes reading longer texts for pleasure, as well as business books. Use
extensive reading skills to improve your general knowledge of business procedures. Do
not worry if you understand each word.
Examples:
1. The latest marketing strategy book
2. A novel you read before going to bed
3. Magazine articles that interest you
Intensive Reading: Intensive reading is used on shorted texts in order to extract specific
information it includes very close accurate reading for detail. Use intensive reading skills
to grasp the details of a specific situation. In this case, it is important that you understand
each word, number of fact.
Examples:
1. A book keeping report
2. An insurance claim
Inferences
Author’s view points:
In reading a textbook inferences or assumptions are made about the position of the author
like, is the author neutral or he or she has an opinion? The author often shows his or her
opinion either by adding certain phrases or by adding a value to a word. The author can
add words like, luckily or unfortunately to show approval or displeasure. Likewise, we
can also add words like surprise, regret, or other emotions.
Eg: Surprisingly, to shock, unexpectedly, regrettably, pity, to be
disappointed etc. The author can also reveal his view point by adding value

9
to a word.
For example: Huge or gigantic for something big or impressive. Tiny or microscopic to
indicate something small or unimpressive.
Readers’ view point:
Even readers who have a wide and flexible vocabulary will encounter words whose
meaning they do not know. You may often come across a not too familiar word whose
meaning you were able to guess accurately. This is possible if you understand the
relationships between words in meaning and form by following the steps mentioned
below:
1. Determine the word class, i.e., a verb, a noun and adjective, an adverb etc.
2. Determine its function in the sentence, i.e., how it is related to other words in the sentence.
3. Analyze the contextual clues, i.e., the context in which we find this word positive or negative.
4. Is there any relation between this word and a word that is familiar to you? For example: the
word aging‘ in the population is aging rapidly. We recognize the word age in aging and hence
can easily derive its meaning.
5. Try and derive the eventual meaning of the word.

UNIT 3
Writing Skills
Writing skills include all the knowledge and abilities related to expressing yourself through the
written word. It is a sound understanding of language through grammar, spelling and punctuation.

10
There are four main types of writing:
Expository
Descriptive
Persuasive and
Narrative
Each of these writing styles is used for a specific purpose. A single text may include more than
one writing style.
Expository
Expository writing is one of the most common types of writing. Expository style, explains a
concept and imparts information to a wider audience. Expository writing does not include the
author’s opinions, but focuses on accepted facts about a topic, including statistics or other
evidence.
Example: Text books
Business, technical and scientific writing
Descriptive
Descriptive writing is often found in fiction, though it can make an appearance in nonfiction as
well (for example, memoirs, first-hand accounts of events, or travel guides). In a descriptive style,
the author paints a picture in words of a person, place, or thing for his/her audience. The author
might employ metaphor or other literary devices in order to describe the author’s impressions via
their five senses (what they hear, see, smell, taste, or touch). But the author is not trying to convince
the audience of anything or explain the scene – merely describe things as they are.
Examples: Poetry
Journal/diary writing
Descriptions of Nature
Fictional novels or plays

Persuasive
Persuasive writing is the main style of writing used in academic papers. In a persuasive style, the
author tries to convince the audience of a position or belief. Persuasive writing contains the
author’s opinions and biases, as well as justifications and reasons given by the author as evidence
of the correctness of his/her position. Any “argumentative” essay you write in school should be in
the persuasive style of writing.

11
 Examples: Reviews of items
Letters of complaint
Advertisements
Letters of recommendation
Narrative
Narrative writing is used in almost every longer piece of writing, whether fiction or nonfiction. In
a narrative style, the writer is not just trying to impart information, but he also tries to construct
and communicate a story, complete with characters, conflict, and settings.
Examples: Oral histories
Novels
Poetry (especially epic sagas or poems)
Short Stories
Letter Writing
A letter is a written message that can be handwritten or printed on paper. It is usually sent to the
recipient via mail or post in an envelope, although this is not a requirement as such. Any such message
that is transferred via post is a letter, a written conversation between two parties.
Types of Letters:
Let us first understand that there are broadly two types of letter, namely Formal Letters, and Informal
Letters. But then there are also a few types of letters based on their contents, formalities, the purpose
of letter writing etc. Following are the few types of letters.
Formal Letter: These letters follow a certain pattern and formality. They are strictly kept
professional in nature, and directly address the issues concerned. Any type of business letter or
letter to authorities falls within this given category.
Informal Letter: These are personal letters. They need not follow any set pattern or adhere to any
formalities. They contain personal information or are a written conversation. Informal letters are
generally written to friends, acquaintances, relatives etc.
Business Letter: This letter is written among business correspondents, generally contains
commercial information such as quotations, orders, complaints, claims, letters for collections etc.
Such letters are always strictly formal and follow a structure and pattern of formalities.
Official Letter: This type of letter is written to inform offices, branches, subordinates of official
information. It usually relays official information like rules, regulations, procedures, events, or any

12
other such information. Official letters are also formal in nature and follow certain structure and
decorum.
Social Letter: A personal letter written on the occasion of a special event is known as a social letter.
Congratulatory letter, condolence letter, invitation letter etc are all social letters.
Circular Letter: A letter that announces information to a large number of people is a circular letter.
The same letter is circulated to a large group of people to correspond some important information
like a change of address, change in management, the retirement of a partner etc.
Employment Letters: Any letters with respect to the employment process, like joining letter,
promotion letter, application letter etc.

Resume Writing
The success of employment search largely depends on a candidate’s ability to design a persuasive
resume and an effective job application.

Employment Communication

13
Employment communication involves a complex process that includes writing employment letters,
applications and résumés. In fact, the success of employment search depends a lot on the
candidate’s ability to design a persuasive resume and an effective cover letter. An employer has to
read a large number of applications and resumes before he takes a decision to invite a candidate
for a personal interview. No employer is under any obligation or compulsion to invite prospective
candidates for a personal interview. In fact, the process of short listing candidates for an interview
might result in the rejection of a large number of applicants. The screening committee tries to get
to know the candidates through their application and resume by evaluating their education, skills,
and experience. Therefore, learning the art of writing applications that highlight one’s strengths
and designing resumes that package one’s skills and assets into a convincing advertisement is
essential.
Writing Resumes
A resume is an employment-seeking document that presents a summary of an individual’s
education, professional training, experience, skills, abilities, achievements, and references.
Writing an effective resume is a challenge faced by all candidates. The following section presents
several techniques and suggestions for creating persuasive resumes.
Resume Design
There is no one right design for a resume. The design of a resume largely depends on a person’s
background, employment needs, career goals, and professional conventions in the area of
specialization. Resume may have to be rewritten for every new job application because every job
has its own requirements.
However, whatever the resume designs, the resume must answer the following questions:
a) How can the employer contact the candidate?
b) What are his career objectives?
c) Which institution has been attended?
d) What courses have been completed?
e) What is his work experience?
f) What are his special skills or capabilities?
g) What are his awards or honors that he has received?
h) What are his activities/interests/hobbies?
i) Who are his references?

14
Answer to these questions will provide the employer with all the relevant information needed to
assess an applicant’s suitability for a particular position. These answers may be integrated to these
questions into different parts of a resume.
Parts of Resume
The standard parts of a resume includes the heading, position sought, career objective, education,
work experience, specific skills, achievements, activities, interests, and references.
Heading The heading of a resume includes contact information, which contains the applicant’s
name, full postal address with pin code, telephone number with area code, fax number, and e-mail
address.
Position Sought If applying for a solicited job position, the position sought should be mentioned
so that the employer is able to distinguish the application from those who might have applied for
other positions available in the company/organization. However, it is not necessary to include this
part in the resume if the application is for an unsolicited job position.
Career Objectives Career objective is a special part in a resume. It occurs just above the main
experience and education parts. If responding to an advertised job position, the resume should
include the applicant’s career objective, which should be tailored to the position he is seeking.
Thus, it should be a specific one-sentence focused statement expressing his career goals in relation
to the targeted position. It should convey his motivation and interest in the job he is seeking. The
following are some examples:
1. To obtain as a challenging position in a large software consulting organization providing
business consulting, application development, and product engineering services, where
understanding and experience of business process modeling and organizational change
management to suit customer needs can be used to achieve set targets.
2. To contribute to the growth of a high technology materials engineering enterprise by working
in a position where I will have opportunities to utilize my exposure and experience in
modeling and designing steel structures, and my hands-on experience in using FEM/FEA
software.
If you are just exploring a job position by sending an all-purpose resume, you may use a general
statement as your career objective. It would just express your general career goals and tell the
potential employer the sort of work you are hoping to do. Study the following examples:
1. Seeking a suitable position in design/project management.
2. Challenging position in maintenance of computer printers and peripherals.

15
 3. Position in academic administration.
4. Faculty position in English language.
Professional Summary Some resume may include a professional summary in place of career
objective. It is a one-sentence statement listing the applicant’s most important qualifications,
essential skills, and work experience. This part should be included in the resume if the applicant
wishes to highlight the relevance of his qualifications, special skills, and key work experience to
the position he is applying for. The following are some examples:
1. Six years experience in providing customer support to users of the industry’s leading network
routing, switching, security, and VOIP technology as a CCNA professional at
CONVERGYS.
2. Four years of experience as production engineer with thorough understanding of weld
technology and design and sound knowledge about trouble-shooting, fool proofing of
processes, cost saving through process improvement, and low cost automaton.
Education In this part of resume, specific details regarding the applicant’s education and
professional training must be included. The name and location of the school/college/university,
major areas of study, degrees/certificates received should be mentioned. The applicant’s grade
point average/class/division if it is on the higher side may also be mentioned. Reverse
chronological order is used to list educational information that is, starting from the most recent
educational information.
Work Experience This part of the resume should provide a brief and specific overview of the
applicant’s work and professional experience. As prior work experience is a vital part of any hiring
decision, the applicant must draft this part of the resume very carefully. Work experience should
be given in reverse chronological order, by listing the most recent employment first. Title of the
position, employer’s name or name of the organization/company, location of work, dates of
employment, and important job responsibilities, activities, and accomplishments should be
included.
Special skills, Abilities, and Aptitudes In this part of the resume, the applicant’s special skills,
abilities and aptitudes that are of significance and of direct relevance to the job applied for are
listed. Examples of learned skills include computer programming, computer processing, data
processing, machinery operation, drafting, technical writing, and so on.

16
Activities and Interests Extra-curricular, co-curricular, professional activities, and hobbies and
interests must be mentioned. These activities must show that the applicant is a dynamic and
energetic person who can accept challenges. Companies prefer such people.
Achievements/Accomplishments/Honours The applicant’s achievements, accomplishments, and
awards distinguish him from the rest. They convince the employer that he is an achiever and
therefore worth hiring. This part should include scholarships, fellowships, awards, distinctions,
commendations, certificates, or anything that shows achievement or recognition.
References Some employers need references from persons who know the applicant’s work or
professional competence through formal and professional interaction with him. The applicant’s
previous employer, teacher, research guide, colleague, and superior or subordinate may be used
for reference. The name of the reference, designation with full address, contact telephone number
and e-mail address should be giver.
Resume styles
Choosing an appropriate resume style largely depends on the applicant’s qualifications, career
goals, and personal preferences.
Chronological Resume This is the most common resume style. It focuses on education and
experience. It organizes past employment record or education in reverse chronological order. It
lists work experience items or educational/professional qualifications starting with the current or
most recent and works backwards in time.
Functional Resume Unlike chronological resumes that focus on education and work experience,
functional resumes highlight accomplishments and emphasise skills. Some employers are more
interested in the applicant’s ability to handle the position they are applying for, and they would
prefer a functional resume rather than a chronological one. A functional resume provides examples
of experiences that demonstrate the skills needed for the targeted position.

17
 UNIT – 4
Presentation skills
Introduction:
Two formal means of communication available to engineers when passing information onto a
general audience include written reports and the oral presentations. Each has its own characteristics
and when an engineer gives a technical presentation, he or she should focus on those aspects unique
to presentations.
There are two main types of presentations in oral presentation skills. There can be one minute talks
on selected topics or group seminars. Written reports can be presented in the formats like posters,
technical and project reports. PowerPoint presentations, emails and assignments are also part of
written presentation skills.
1. Planning and Preparing the Presentation
A presentation should be planned well so that the material is delivered effectively. Planning the
presentation helps the presenter
● Know the audience
● Stimulate the interest of the audience
● Be sensitive to the needs and expectations of the audience.
● Strike up interaction with his/her immediate audience in as many ways as possible.
● Know his / her purpose
● Analyse the occasion
● Fit the material to the time at his / her disposal; and
● Select and narrow a topic for his / her presentation
2. Structuring the presentation
The presentation should be divided into three distinct parts: introduction, body and conclusion.
18
The introduction of presentation
The introduction should
• Get the audience’s attention
• Introduce the subject
• Give the audience a reason to listen
• Establish the credibility
• Preview the main ideas

The Body of Presentation:

• The body contains the main content of the presentation. The main points should be
supported by appropriate details and visual aids.
• The presenter should make smooth transitions to indicate a shift from one idea to another.
• One should ensure that the information is accurate, complete and relevant.
The conclusion of Presentation:
The conclusion should accomplish the following objectives
• Summarize the presentation
• Reemphasize the central idea
• Focus on a goal
• Motivate the audience to respond
3. Rehearsing the Presentation:
• It is important to rehearse the presentation properly as it will give the presenter confidence
and make him familiar with the content to be delivered.
• A rehearsal helps the presenter understand if the presentation requires modification in
content, style and structure.
• Rehearsing before a live audience.
• Constructive feedback during rehearsals also helps in better presentation.
4. Handling Stage Fright
A presenter can overcome stage fear by following these strategies
• Concentrate on the Three Ps: Planning, Preparation and Practice
• Set Realistic Goals
• Avoid Negative Thoughts

19
 • Begin the Presentation with a Pause
• Speak Slowly
• Learn and Practice Stress Reduction Techniques
Oral presentations (individual) through JAM sessions
Introduction:
This session has two parts. Part-A deals with individual JAM sessions .Part-B deals with group
seminar presentations. Teacher gives inputs on understanding the differences between oral and
written presentation skills. Individual and group presentation skills like JAM and seminar are
discussed. Examples of each of these are discussed in the class highlighting the differences in
format and style. The parameters of evaluation for these activities are explained to the students.
JAM Session:
JAM sessions have now become an essential part of selection process for any job as they are the
most effective way of testing the communication and logical thinking skills of a job aspirant. The
topics are announced just five minutes before the session. The participants are expected to select
a topic and speak effectively for one minute. Here the communicative competence is assessed
along with the ability to analyze a topic and logical organization of thoughts.
Guidelines for JAM Sessions
• Select a topic that is familiar to you
• Recollect and write down all the points
• Organize the points in a logical manner, starting with introductory sentence, points of
discussion and closing sentence.
• Practice your speech once before you present it to the audience
• Speak confidently and clearly in a pleasant manner.
Practice:
Teacher gives some topics for preparations. Example topics: Favorite holiday spot, role model,
memorable moment, your favourite political leader, favorite movie or person or day or things or
food, mobiles, traffic & corruption. Students give individual JAM sessions on the topics selected
by them. These sessions are recorded and put on a CD. Teacher gives feedback and suggestions.
Oral Presentations (Group) through Seminars
Introduction:
In this session students learn how to give group seminars by understanding the structure, stages

20
involved in preparation and the actual presentation of seminar. Students also understand the
importance of team work and group dynamics that play an important role in this activity.
Theory:
Seminars are student-led small group based learning situations. It is a structured way for students
to get together and think through a subject and share conclusions with each other. Group seminars
give students an opportunity to ask questions on the topic and clarify doubts. It also helps the
students in improving their communication skills. One student in the group starts the seminar but
it is the responsibility of the other students to contribute their ideas, opinions and questions. At the
end of the seminar they may sum up and draw some conclusions.
Practice:
The groups of three students make an oral presentation on the reports of Technical seminars of
their seniors which they analysed in the writing skills class. Each group gets 10 minutes time for
presentation.
Written Presentations through Posters/ Projects / Reports
Introduction:
Written presentations include preparing posters, project and technical seminar reports. The purpose
of this activity is to convert a text into a written presentation. The structures of different types of
written presentations vary according to the structure and purpose. Samples of each of these are
displayed in the class highlighting the differences in format and style. The parameters of evaluation
for all these activities are explained to the students. Three main elements to written presentations
are
o Structure (the way the content is laid out)
o Style (the way it is written)
o Content (what you are writing about)
Written presentations through Posters:
A poster is a visual description of a project, prepared for viewing by those attending a conference.
Posters can depict research or evaluation findings, outline a research process, or describe a
program. Posters take up a larger space on a bulletin board or wall than what the word “poster”
might suggest (usually larger than 3 feet by 5 feet). Conference attendees can visit a variety of
posters and talk with the people who prepared them.
The poster presentation is a highly-used communication tool for students to display and discuss
their research experiences in class and laboratory settings.

21
Guidelines for preparing posters
➢ Look at the Overall appearance, White space, Text / graphic balance, Text size, Organization
& flow, Author identification, Research objective, Main points, Summary
➢ It should Communicate visually, Serve as an illustrated abstract
➢ Attractive & hold attention, make concepts easy for readers
➢ Initiate discussion and be concise & organized
➢ Present scientific / technical information
➢ It should not be a replication of a journal article
➢ It should Stands alone if /when you’re not there
Written presentations through Projects
Introduction:
The purpose of a project report is to present an answer to the project problem(s) and to
communicate the ideas and methods used to obtain the results . This information should be a
concisely worded and well-organized paper that is understandable to any other reader. The format
of a typical project report is described below. This format is quite general and user friendly.
Steps for Effective Written Presentations through Projects:
• One of the most important aspects of good project reports is to be concise, yet informative.
• Make sure to mention the background to, and aims of, the investigation. Include the basic
concepts and theory relating to the investigation.
• Describe the procedures used.
• Identify major sources of error and explain how they were dealt with.
• Only data directly relevant to the calculation of final results should be presented, omit raw
data.
• Final results should be presented clearly and concisely; include an analysis of errors.
• If computer code was used or written, give details of the checks and validations you
performed on the code.
• The interpretation of the results must be discussed, and improvements and possible
extensions of the work suggested.
• Give references to any books, articles or other sources of information (e.g. web sites) that
have proved useful in preparing the report, or carrying out the work.
Written Presentations through Reports

22
 The team working on technical seminar reports of their seniors will write a report on that.
In Engineering, one of the major forms of communication is the technical report. This is the
conventional format for reporting the results of research, investigations, and design projects. It
helps to assess the subjects and ability to apply knowledge to a practical task. The ability to produce
a clear, concise, and professionally presented report is therefore a skill students need to develop in
order to succeed both in academics and in career.
Written Presentations through PPTs / e-mails / Assignments

Introduction:
PPTs, E-mails and Assignments require analysis and synthesis of competing perspectives,
application of theory to real-world problems, or creative extensions of course material. The topics
and formats for this kind of activity should be challenging to the students.
The important features of PPT:
Some of the important features of a PPT which make it a popular method of presentation technique
are
• Quick and Easy: the basic features are easy to master and make a presentation appear to be
organized,
• Simple bullet points: It can reduce complicated messages to simple bullet points. Bullet
points are a good basis for the presentation and remind the speaker of main points and the
organization of the message.
• Easy to create a colorful, attractive design: using the standard templates and themes,
amazing slides can be prepared.
• Easy to modify: when compared to other visual aids such as charts, posters, it is easy to
modify the slides.
• Easily re-order presentation: with a simple drag and drop or using key strokes, one can move
slides to re-order the presentation.
• Slides used in a presentation should be spare, in terms of how much information is on each
slide, as well as how many slides are used. A rule of thumb is to put no more than eight
lines of text on a slide, and with no more than eight to ten words per line.
Written presentations through e-mails
Introduction:

23
Email is an electronic, computer-assisted online communication tool. It is used to transmit virtually
every type of correspondence like simple messages, memos and letters, complex reports, tables of
data, graphs and charts, blueprints, pictures etc. If it can be generated by, scanned into, or
downloaded onto a computer, it can be electronically sent through cyberspace to another computer.
Electronic mail is a less formal version of memos and letters. The principal advantages of
electronic mail over other types of correspondence are its speed and ease of use.
Email Etiquette:
• Always include a subject line in the message
• Make the subject line meaningful
• Use correct grammar and spelling
• Always use a signature if you can, make sure it identifies who you are.
• Includes alternate means of contacting you (phone/mobile number are useful
• Use active words instead of passive
• Avoid long sentences
• Be concise and to the point
Practice:
Teacher gives a list of situations .Students select one topic and compose an e-mail from their mail
IDs and mail it to the teacher.
• Write a mail to amazon.com requesting them to replace a defective mobile bought online.
• Write a mail to Cambridge university Press asking for the list of books for Mechanical
Engineering
• Write a mail to Hyundai motors asking for the catalogue of their cars
• Write a mail to naukari.com enquiring about the job opportunities for engineering graduates.
Written Presentations through Assignments
Introduction:
Assignments constitute an important component of each course evaluation. Hence, submission of
assignments is compulsory. The content of the assignment should cover the importance of topic
and relevance in extension. It should also examine the various facets and components with specific
details and illustrations.
Some points to be understood while writing an assignment.
a) Purpose
1. Explain the purpose of the writing assignment.
24
 2. Make the format of the writing assignment fit the purpose (format: research essay, position
paper, brief or abstract, lab report, problem-solving essay, etc.)
b) Writing the assignment
1. Follow the instructions and model as per the purpose of the assignment.
2. Prepare a rough draft.
c) Revision of written drafts
Students can check each other’s' drafts for format, organization, expression, punctuation, spelling,
mechanics etc.
UNIT - 5
Group Discussion and Interview Skills
Group Discussion:
Dynamics of group discussion, intervention, summarizing, modulation of voice, body language,
relevance, fluency and coherence.
Objectives
• To understand the characteristics of successful group discussions
• To identify areas of evaluation in GDs conducted by organizations as part of the selection
procedure
• To Chalk out strategies to exchange opinions and suggestions in group discussion.
Introduction
Group Discussion refers to a communicative situation that allows its participants to express views
and opinions about a particular topic. It is a systematic oral exchange of information, views, and
opinions about a topic, issue, problem, or situation among members of a group who share certain
common objectives.
A Group Discussion can be defined as a formal discussion involving 8 to 10 participants in a
group. They are given a topic. After some time, during which they collect their thoughts, the group
is asked to discuss the topic for 15 to 20 minutes. The GD process is to assess a candidate’s
personality traits.
Types of Topics in GD
✓ Factual Topics: - Social/ Economic/ Political current Affairs
✓ Controversial Topics: - Factual Topics which are argumentative in nature
✓ Abstract Topics: - They make a candidate think laterally and link the abstract with concrete.
✓ Case study: - Simulates a real-life situation

25
Dynamics of GD:
• Flexibility
• Assertiveness
• Initiative
• Creativity:
• Team Player
• Reasoning Ability
• Leadership skills
GD Techniques:
There are a few simple techniques that can make you an effective participant:
Prepare: If you know what the topic of the discussion will be, there is a lot you can do to prepare
in advance.
Listen: An effective discussion is one in which people listen to each other. Listening is a very
important discussion skill and make sure you listen and respond to what other people have to say.
Be polite: In a discussion, it’s important to stay calm and be polite, even if you feel strongly about
the topic under discussion. Using words like please, thank you, I’d like to… May I…? Would you
mind…? Could you…? Make you sound polite and respectful.
Take / make notes: It’s a good idea to have a pen and paper handy. You can jot down any useful
or important words or ideas that might come in handy later in the discussion – or afterwards.
Speak clearly: Practise your pronunciation and speak clearly and confidently.
Roles in Group Discussion:
Group enterprise roles: These roles are constructive to the group.
✓ Initiator-contributor: Generates new ideas.
✓ Information-seeker: Asks for information about the task.
✓ Opinion-seeker: Asks for the input from the group about its values.
✓ Information-giver: Offers facts or generalization to the group.
✓ Opinion-giver: States his or her beliefs about a group issue.
✓ Elaborator: Explains ideas within the group, offers examples to clarify ideas.
✓ Coordinator: Shows the relationships between ideas.
✓ Encourager: Praises the ideas of others.
✓ Harmonizer: Mediates differences between group members.
✓ Standard Setter: Suggests standards or criteria for the group to achieve.

26
 ✓ Follower: Goes along with the group and accepts the group’s ideas.
Body language and Voice modulation in GDs
✓ To understand the importance of body language in group discussions candidates must
understand that it is not just the mouth that speaks but the entire body acts as an instrument
of speech.
✓ Our gestures, hand movements, facial expressions etc come under body language.
✓ one must first understand how our body speaks and then learn to manage and control the
non-verbal messages that we send across to audience.
✓ In a group discussion, positive body gestures are a sign of confidence.
Do’s of Group Discussion:
o Listen to the subject carefully
o Put down your thoughts on a paper
o Initiate the discussion if you know the subject well
o Listen to others if you don’t know the subject
o Support you point with some facts and figures
o Make short contribution of 25-30 seconds 3-4 times
o Give others a chance to speak
o Speak politely and pleasantly. Respect contribution from other members.
o Disagree politely and agree with what is right.
o Summarize the discussion if the group has not reached a conclusion.
Don’ts of Group Discussion
o Initiate the discussion if you do not have sufficient knowledge about the given topic.
o Argue and shout during the GD
o Look at the evaluators or a particular group member
o Talk irrelevant things and distract the discussion
o Pose negative body gestures like touching the nose, leaning back on the chair, knocking
the table with a pen etc.
o Mention erratic statistics.
o Display low self-confidence with shaky voice and trembling hands.

Interview Skills
Objective:

27
This module focuses on enhancing your interviewing skills and improving your opportunities of
employment.
What Is an Interview:-
• A job interview is a pre-arranged and planned conversation used for evaluating the suitability
of a candidate for a particular position.
• Interview is an interaction between two or more persons usually with a question pattern.
Why is Interview a Part of most Selection Processes?
There are some basic reasons why interview is important. They are:
• Verification of the data given in the resume can be done easily.
• Makes it easy to assess how interested the candidate is in the job.
• It gives an opportunity for the interviewer to find out a candidates intelligence quotient.
• Makes it easy to find out the right candidate and encourage him to accept the job.
Types of Interviews
Based on the mode of Based on types of questions Based on framing of the
conduction questions

• Face to face • Stress interviews • Structured interviews

interviews • Behavioural • Unstructured
• Panel interviews interviews interviews
• Telephone interviews • Traditional interviews
• Video interviews

Required Key Skills for Interview:-

• Communication and social skills
• Leadership skills
• Presentation skills
• Analytical thinking
• Behavioural skills
Preparing for an Interview:-
Now, let’s see how you should prepare for an interview in each of the three stages.
❖ Before the interview
❖ During the interview
❖ After the interview
(a) Before the Interview:--

28
1. Self-Analysis:-
We cannot project ourselves successfully unless we know our strengths and weakness properly.
So,
➢ Analyze your background
➢ Identify your accomplishments
➢ Identify your achievements
➢ Identify your special interests and hobbies
➢ Analyze your career goal.
2. Analyze Your Skills:-
Skills assessment is the process of analyzing your skills in terms of the skills required for the
position you are seeking. You should analyze your skills because most employers would like to
see the match between the candidate’s skills and the requirements for the job and may ask you the
following question.
➢ How will you rate yourself for this position on a scale of one to ten?
➢ Why should we hire you?
➢ What makes you suitable for this position?
3. Research the Organization or Know the Company:-
You must thoroughly research the organization before the interview. Interviewers may ask a few
questions to test your knowledge about the company and your interest. So the candidate should
have basic information about the company which may include:
➢ Major areas of operation
➢ Products /services of the organization
➢ Focus of the activities of the organization
➢ Growth rate
➢ Hierarchical structure of the organization
➢ Work culture
➢ The financial standing and turnover of the organization
➢ Recent developments and new products
➢ Factors making the organization successful.
4. Job Analysis:-

29
You should have broad information about the position so that you can respond to the questions
testing your suitability for the job. You should try to answer the following questions before the
interview.
➢ What does this job involve?
➢ What are the responsibilities associated with job?
➢ What are special duties and challenges?
➢ What are the skills and abilities needed for this job?

5. Revise Your Subject Knowledge:-

The candidates are advised to revise subject knowledge before the interview. Subject basics must
be clear because the experts might test your grasp of the subject and your level of understanding.
The candidate should know the latest developments in the subject. Discussing relevant topics with
friends, classmates, or colleges would also be helpful. You should also brush up your general
awareness.
6. Prepare Questions:-
Arrange mock interviews with somebody who you find capable. Try to give spontaneous answers
to the questions. Ask him to analyze your performance and give some feedback. Take the feedback
seriously and try to improve on those points where you lack. Prepare possible questions and
answers and practice those answer in front of a mirror.
7. Dress Properly:-
Creating a good impression on the interviewer is very important. Before you speak, your
personality speaks a lot about you. You should have a decent haircut and wear a formal dress and
make sure to polish your shoes.
8. Develop the Interview File:-
Preparing for an interview demands a professional approach. Therefore, you should develop an
interview file that may contain the following papers and documents.
➢ Interview letter, Original degree certificates, Experience certificates, Certificates of merit,
Copies of your resume, Your visiting cards, Your photocopies
An index of all the papers and documents in the file makes for easy reference and location.
9. In the Office:-

30
Ask the receptionist about the name and designation of the interviewer. It always helps when you
know whom you are speaking with. Instead of talking to others in the waiting hall, try to remember
the answers you have prepared.
(b) During the Interview:--
1. Introduction:
When called for an interview, tell yourself that you are getting the job today. Knock the door and
ask for permission before you enter the room. Greet interviewer with a firm handshake. Thank him
when you are offered a seat. Sit firmly and maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Even if you
are nervous, do not show that on your face. Confidence is the key.

2. Answer Honesty:
Honesty is always appreciated. If you do not know an answer, say so frankly but don’t bulf. How
a question is answered is sometimes more important than the answer itself. The following
suggestions will help in improving the quality of answer.
➢ Attentiveness
➢ Accuracy
➢ Brevity
➢ Focus
➢ Clarity
➢ Positive attitude
➢ Logical thinking.
3. Non-verbal Communication:-
One needs to understand the value of a bright smile. In addition to the enthusiasm it express to the
interviewer, smiling will give you confidence and make you feel better about yourself.
During the interview, remember to practice good nonverbal skills such as:
➢ Sit up straight with your shoulders back and hands resting in your lap.
➢ Place both feet on the floor.
➢ Maintain eye contact to demonstrate interest and enthusiasm.
➢ Use limited hand gestures to emphasize key points
➢ Be aware of nervous movements such as tapping of your foot or playing with a ring.
➢ Try to smile when responding to questions [when appropriate].
➢ Try to relax.

31
 ➢ Use open palms as this signifies openness and honesty.
4. Mindset at the Interview:
➢ Be cool and composed.
➢ Should not be tensed
➢ You have other companies/chances.
➢ Be confident, that you are the best
➢ Exhibit good behavior.

(c)After the Interview:--

When your interview is over, do not rush out. Thank the interviewer for giving you the opportunity
to be interviewed. Give them a feeling that you are really interested in the job. Your last
impression is as important as your first one.
Projecting a Positive Image
1. Look Your Best
2. Dress Formally
3. Prepare yourself
4. Relax
5. Speak Carefully
6. Speak Clearly
7. Speak Confidently
8. Speak Slowly with Appropriate Pauses
Interview Attire:
Dos and Don’ts of the Interview:--
Dos: Don’ts:
• Dress conservatively. • Don’t wear torn, soiled, wrinkled
• Practice good grooming. clothing.
• Do have clean, neatly styled hair. • Don’t dress casually.
• Do have clean hands and trimmed nails. • Don’t wear athletic shoes.
• Do carry a portfolio or briefcase with • Don’t eat spicy, offensive smelling
extra copies of your resume. foods prior to the interview.
• Do wear shoes you can walk easily in. • Don’t overdo perfume or make-up.
• Be punctual and fresh. • Don’t licking your lips.
• Be a good listener. • Don’t twirling your moustache.

32
 • Repeatedly adjusting your spectacle.
Here’s how men and women can dress
for an interview.

Women:--
➢ White, off-white or neutral-coloured blouse with a conservative neckline.
➢ No ill fitting(short, tight, clingy or slit)skirts.
➢ Do wear leather pumps with low to medium heels. Avoid high heels, sandals or shoes with
decorations.
➢ Conservative nail polish, avoid unusual colours. Eg: Blue or green.
➢ Small stud earnings instead of dangling or oversized earnings.
➢ Long hair pulled back in a neat, simple style. No “big hair” or elaborate styles.
Men:--
➢ Long-sleeved oxford shirt in white or light blue.
➢ Conservative necktie in terms of colour and pattern. Avoid cartoon characters.
➢ Business-style leather shoes.
➢ Matching shoe and belt colour. Do not mix black and brown.
➢ Avoid twirling your moustache.

“Knowing is not enough, you must apply. Willing is not enough, you must do”.
****

33