Technical Communication

Recommended Prerequisites

None.

Teaching Methods

- (T ) Theoretical presentations.

- (PL ) Practical tasks (writing, editing and revising texts, making individual and group oral presentations, body language exercises).

- (O) Group discussions and role playing.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the semester, students should be able to

(i) use different communication means and forms in academic and professional contexts (e.g. report).;

(ii)  discuss / defend their points of view, using different codes, in social and professional situations (e.g. formal presentation);

(iii) adapt their communication to different target audiences (e.g. technical and general articles).

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Theoretical courses:

1. Technical writing for engineers: the basics.

2. Text types: describing, telling, arguing and giving instructions.

3. Technical texts (formal communication – instructions / user’s/ reference manuals  – reports – proposals – articles – abstracts).

4.Writing, editing and revising texts (building paragraphs and sentences – writing style – punctuation and spelling). 

Practical courses:
1. Verbal and non-verbal communication.

2. Oral presentations: planning and doing.

3. Argumentation techniques.

4. Team work and leadership.

5. Job interviews and professional etiquette.

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria Joana de Almeida Vieira dos Santos

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 25.0%
Oral group + Oral individual : 25.0%
Texts written during classes + Technical article: 25.0%
General article + editing and revising, in pairs + Participation in class and practical tasks: 25.0%

Bibliography

Amaral, I. (2002). Imagem e sucesso. Guia de protocolo para empresas. Editorial Verbo.

Beer, D. & McMurrey, D. David McMURREY (2005). A Guide to Writing as an Engineer. John Wiley & Sons.

Cargill, M. & P. O’Connor (2009). Wrinting Scientific Research Articles – Strategy and Steps. John Wiley & Sons.

Duarte, N. (2008). Slide:ology. The art and science of creating great presentations. O'Reilly Media.

Fast, J. (1986). A linguagem do corpo. Edições 70.

Finkelstein Jr., L. (2008). Pocket Book of Technical Writing for Engineers and Scientists. McGraw-Hill.

Koegel, T. J., (2007). The exceptional presenter: a proven formula to open up! and own the room. Greenleaf Book Group Press.

Madeira, A.C. & Abreu, M.M. (2004). Comunicar em Ciência – como redigir e apresentar trabalhos científicos. Escolar Editora.

Sylin-Roberts, H. (2000). Writing for Science and Engineering – papers, presentations and reports. Butterworth-Heineman.

 Weston, A. (1996). A arte de argumentar. Gradiva.