Course detail

Technical Writing 1

FSI-0W1Acad. year: 2019/2020

Technical Writing 1 provides students with language suitable for writing in English in technical contexts, both professional and elementary academic ones. For mechanical engineering graduates, such a writing skill is key as it increases their employability and sets foundations for writing long academic texts in English. The course includes an e-learning module.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Mgr. Martina Vránová, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Foreign Languages (ÚJ)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

The course develops knowledge that students acquired in the A5 and A6 courses on the B2 level of CEFR. This knowledge is then concentrated into the main goal, which is the writing skill. At the end of the course students will be able to write a short scientific or technical report. To reach this goal, students will get acquainted with a written communication model, descriptive rhetorical functions and will also develop relevant grammar and vocabulary.

Prerequisites

7AZ examination.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Seminars and e-learning module.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

The credit and examination comprise regular attendance (10 points), e-learning exercises (30 points) and a two- or three-page-long technical report on a given topic (60 points). Classification expressed in points complies with the regularly used scale.

Course curriculum

Not applicable.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The focus is on the practice of primarily descriptive rhetorical functions used in technical writing and linguistic features connected with their use. At the end of the course students will be able to write a report.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Attendance at seminars is compulsory and is systematically checked by the teacher. Two absences are allowed.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Basic literature

Chazal, Edward de; Rogers, Louis. Oxford EAP: A Course in English for Academic Purposes. Intermediate. Oxford: OUP, 2013. (EN)
Chazal, Edward de; McCarter, Sam. Oxford EAP: A Course in English for Academic Purposes. Upper-Intermediate. Oxford: OUP, 2012. (EN)
Paterson, Ken; Wedge, Roberta. Oxford Grammar for EAP. Oxford: OUP, 2013. (EN)
McWhorter, Kathleen. In Concert. New York: Pearson, 2013. (EN)
Wallwork, Adrian. English for Academic Research: Writing Exercises. New York: Springer, 2013. (EN)
Philpot, Sarah. Headway Academic Skills: Reading, Writing, Study Skills. Level 2. Oxford: OUP, 2011. (EN)
Langan, John. Sentence Skills: A Workbook for Writers. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1987. (EN)

Recommended reading

Gillet, Andy. Using English for Academic Purposes: A Guide for Students in Higher Education. 2015. . (EN)
Paterson, Ken; Wedge, Roberta. Oxford Grammar for EAP. Oxford: OUP, 2013. (EN)
Hewings, Martin. Advanced Grammar in Use. Cambridge: CUP, 2013. (EN)
Brieger, Nick; Pohl, Alison. Technical English Vocabulary and Grammar. Oxford: Summertown, 2008 (EN)
McCarthy, Michael; O'Dell, Felicity. Academic Vocabulary in Use. Cambridge: CUP, 2008. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BO1-P Bachelor's

    branch B-OBN , 1. year of study, winter semester, elective (voluntary)

  • Programme MO1-P Master's

    branch M-OBN , 1. year of study, winter semester, elective (voluntary)

Type of course unit

 

Language exercise

26 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Martina Vránová, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. Writing and Writing Skills Analysis.
2. Communication and Genres.
3. Topics, Purposes and Main Ideas.
4. Definitions.
5. Explanations, Examples and Classifications.
6. Describing Graphs and Charts.
7. Describing Diagrams and Maps.
8. Describing Functions and Processes.
9. Cause and Effect .
10. Comparison and Contrast.
11. Cohesion.
12. Report Structure.
13. Final Assignment.