Potential elements of the performance:
 
• Explain the principles of organization
• Identify barriers to effective communication
• Assess the audience’s needs and characteristics
• Determine their goal in the communication
• Identify the most effective form of communication
• Anticipate audience response

Potential elements of the performance:

• Identify the audience and the purpose for the document
• Identify the uses and types of technical reports
• Determine the most suitable format for presenting technical information
• Create accurate and specific reports using various formats
• Produce accurate, coherent abstracts/executive summaries
• Formulate effective introductory/problem statements
• Use active and passive voice and other emphatic techniques
• Identify the use, format and content of all components of the formal report
• Incorporate effective graphics into reports
• Draw accurate, supported, logical conclusions and recommendations
• Use research and documentation as support in documents
• Use appropriate technical language and style
• Proofread and edit all work

Potential elements of the performance:

• Adjust and proofread for content
• Incorporate appropriate graphics
• Design clear, easily–read technical documents for specific audiences and purposes
• Proofread and edit work for correctness using spell-check, thesaurus, grammar check, and peer editing

Potential elements of the performance:
 
• Identify the nature of the information to be documented
• Investigate various sources
• Distinguish primary and secondary sources
• Evaluate bias
• Use appropriate sources to support the document’s purpose
• Employ a consistent documentation format

Potential elements of the performance:
 
• Summarize skills, knowledge, and experience
• Choose a format and create a resume that best presents abilities
• Write a concise, accurate, organized, effective cover letter

Potential elements of the Performance:
 
• Analyze the audience and the purpose of the presentation
• Gather and organize relevant material
• Determine how to present the material in the most effective manner
• Anticipate and recognize typical audience responses
• Produce effective visual aids
• Rehearse and adapt the presentation
• Deliver a well-organized oral presentations individually or collaboratively
• Field questions effectively

Note: These topics sometimes overlap several areas of skill development and are not necessarily intended to be explored in isolated learning units or in the order below.
 

• Principles of Organization and Communiction
• Language and Style in Technical Reports
• Objectivity in Technical Communication
• Letters, Memos, and Emails
• Informal Reports
• Employment Package
• Oral Presentation
• Graphics and Document Design
• The Formal Report
• Research and Documentation

1. Technical Writing: A Practical Approach (2nd Canadian Ed.), Pfeiffer & Boogerd, Prentice-Hall. ISBN: 0-13-021712-3

2. A dictionary and thesaurus.

3. Sault College Language and Communication Guidelines.

4. Use of a PC with Internet access and word processing capabilities which allow files to be saved as Word documents.

MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS AND TESTING:

(Refer also to the Language and Communications Guidelines)

a) Abstract
b) Proposal/feasibility report
c) Accident/incident/occurence report
d) Technical Instruction or description
e) Field/trip report
f) Investigation/evaluation report
g) Progress/periodic report
h) Lab report
i) Problem analysis/recommendation report

4. Students must write one of the following: (25%)

a) A Formal Report
The formal report will include a minimum of
• 8-12 pages (from Introduction to Conclusions/Recommendations
• three (3) sources
• one (1) visual aid
b) An Exam (if required by the program area)
• featuring a report format, minimum of 2 hours

• Professors reserve the right to adjust the course as they deem necessary to meet the needs of students.

• Professors will deduct marks for any grammar and fundamental errors in final submissions.

• Marking schemes for assignments will vary from professor to professor and from assignment to assignment. This flexibility recognizes that professors need to vary their approaches as they assist students with differing levels of competence to meet the learning outcomes of the course and to respond to program areas.

Students will be assessed on the basis of their short technical assignments, oral presentations, job application package, and formal report and/or report exam.

The following letter grades will be assigned in accordance with college policy and the Language and Communication Department Guidelines.

Students with special needs (e.g. physical limitations, visual impairments, hearing impairments, learning disabilites) are encouraged to discuss required accommodations with the professor and/or contact the Special Needs Office, E1204, 759-2554 x493 or TTD 946-8619.

The number of hours required to complete this course will vary with each student. Students should pace themselves accordingly and discuss any concerns/difficulties with their professor.

To plagiarise is to "take and use as one's own (thoughts [ideas], writings, inventions, etc. of another); especially to take and use a passage, plot, etc. from the work of another writer" (Gage Canadian Dictionary, p. 861).

Students should refer to the definition of "academic dishonesty" in the "Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities." Also, in order to collaborate on an assignment, students need prior permission from the professor.

Students who engage in "academic dishonesty" will receive an automatic failure for that submission and/or other such penalty,up to and including expulsion from the course.

In order to protect students from inadvertent plagiarism, to protect the copyright of the material referenced and to credit the author of the material, it is the policy of the department to employ a documentation format for referencing source material.

Students who have completed an equivalent post-secondary course must bring relevant documents to the Coordinator, Language and Communication Department:

• A copy of course outline
• A copy of the transcript verifying successful completion of the equivalent course

If you have questions, please contact 759-2554 x486 or email: silvana.turpin@saultc.on.ca

Students are responsible for retaining all course outlines for possible future use in gaining advanced standing at other post-secondary institutions.

Substitute course information is available at the Registrar's Office.

Students who have related employment-centered experience should see the Prior Learning (PLA) Coordinator, Sandi Mills, E2203. If you have questions or wish to book an appointment, please contact 759-2554 x 467 or email: sandi.mills@saultc.on.ca.