COMM 238 - Technical Communications I

Course Description:
This course is designed to develop technical writing and presentation skills to ensure workplace readiness. Students will
learn how to evaluate communication situations, analyze documents, assess research sources and develop organizational
skills to apply in their work. They will learn about and practice designing, formatting and writing a range of professional
documents. Students will also develop confidence (through practice) in the development and delivery of effective and
engaging presentations.

3 Credits

Time Guidelines:
The standard instructional time for this course is 60 hours.

Course Assessment:

Research Review 5%
Summary 10%
Job Search Package 20%
Instructions 15%
Oral Presentation Exercises 5%
Relative Merits Report (including Definitions) 20%
Oral Presentation of the Relative Merits Report 20%
Open or Alternative Assignments 5%
TOTAL 100%

SAIT Policies and Procedures:

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Academic Policies and Procedures page: https://www.sait.ca/about-sait/administration/policies-and-procedures

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/academic-student

Required Course Publication(s):

Your instructor will select from one of the following textbooks:

Business communication for success. (2018). Calgary, AB: Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.
Last, S. (2019) Technical writing essentials. University of Victoria. CCBY

Both textbooks used in this course are Open Education Resources (OER) and are provided at a cost of $0 to the student.

Course Learning Outcome(s):

1. Analyze a technical document for audience and purpose.

Objectives:

1.1 Explain the “purpose, audience, message” principle used in effective business and technical
communication.

1.2 Discuss the barriers to effective communication.

1.3 Critique a piece of technical writing to identify the “purpose, audience, message” principle.

2. Design documents using headings, lists, and other visual cues effectively.

Objectives:

2.1 Identify the three-part organization of business and technical documents.

2.2 Explain the importance of white space and balanced page layout.

2.3 Create first- and second-level headings.

2.4 Demonstrate the use of parallel, point-form lists.

3. Summarize a technical journal article.

Objectives:

3.1 Explain the purpose of summarizing.

3.2 Demonstrate techniques for capturing important information from written materials.

3.3 Describe the purpose of a descriptive summary.

4. Prepare graphics that will best support a written message.

Objectives:

4.1 Explain the value of graphics in technical documents.

4.2 Select existing graphics that support a document’s data.

4.3 Adapt existing graphics to support a document’s data.

4.4 Write citations for graphics.

4.5 Create simple tables or charts.

4.6 Create simple diagrams.

4.7 Apply appropriate figure numbers and titles to a graphic.

4.8 Label elements within a graphic.

5. Create a set of instructions to complete a specific task.

Objectives:

5.1 Describe the elements of a set of well-written instructions.

 5.2 Sequence a series of actions to direct someone to complete a task safely and accurately.

5.3 Explain the difference between Notes, Cautions, Warnings and Danger comments.

5.4 Construct headings and subheadings that are parallel.

5.5 Incorporate graphics into the set of instructions.

6. Write a technical definition and description of an object.

Objectives:

6.1 Describe the elements of a technical definition.

6.2 Describe the elements of a technical description.

6.3 Explain the function of technical definitions and descriptions in technical writing.

7. Integrate research sources into a report.

Objectives:

7.1 State SAIT’s institutional policy regarding plagiarism.

7.2 Identify an effective research strategy in response to an information need.

7.2 Choose appropriate resources to locate relevant sources of information.

7.4 Differentiate between authoritative and non-authoritative sources of information.

7.5 Evaluate sources of information for relevance, authority, currency and credibility.

7.6 Integrate retrieved information through both direct quotation and paraphrasing.

7.7 Use a citation style, appropriate to your field, that includes both in-text citations and references.

8. Create a relative merits report.

Objectives:

8.1 State the purpose of relative merits (comparison) reports.

8.2 Describe the content of the introduction, body and conclusion/recommendation sections of a report.

8.3 Write the introduction of a relative merits report.

8.4 Explain the significance of the data selected.

8.5 Determine appropriate graphics to support a report’s data.

8.6 Write a supporting explanation for each graphic.

8.7 Draft body sections of the report.

8.8 Create a comparison table.

8.9 Write the conclusion and recommendations section of the report.

9. Design visual aids for an oral presentation.

Objectives:

9.1 Explain the function of visual aids.

9.2 Identify the types of visual aids that can be used to support a presentation.
 9.3 Design visual aids for clarity and relevance.

9.4 Draft title, agenda, body and conclusion slides to support a presentation.

10. Deliver a short, formal presentation.

Objectives:

10.1 Select the appropriate presentation format for a given purpose.

10.2 Identify the components related to the type of speech.

10.3 Create a set of visual aids appropriate for the type of speech selected.

10.4 Rehearse a presentation using all the required materials and audio-visual equipment.

10.5 Ensure content and length is appropriate for audience and time constraints.

11. Develop knowledge of skills and documentation required for an effective job search.

Objectives:

11.1 Inventory your qualifications, skills, experience and personal attributes.

11.2 Identify demonstrated examples of relevant qualifications, skills, experience and personal attributes.

11.3 Evaluate chronological, functional, and combination resumés for their appropriateness to various
circumstances.

11.4 Discuss the range of components of a resumé.

11.5 Critique a resumé.

11.6 Discuss the components in a cover letter.

11.7 Evaluate the tone, point-of-view, and attitude in a cover letter and resumé.

12. Prepare for an interview.

Objectives:

12.1 Explain the purpose of an interview.

12.2 Explain the format of different types of employment interviews.

12.3 Respond appropriately to behaviour-specific, hypothetical and closed/open interview questions.

12.4 Discuss how to prepare for an employment interview including appropriate dress, handling
nervousness and preparing documents.

12.5 Reflect on interview performance.

12.6 Discuss the importance of follow-up contact after the interview.

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