KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

ENGL 157: COMMUNICATION SKILLS

FACILITATOR: Osei Yaw Akoto (PhD)

EMAIL: oseiyaw.akoto@yhoo.com
OFFICE: RM 10, First Floor, Old Faculty of Social Sciences Block
OFFICE HOURS:
CONTACT NO.: 0243405089

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a remedial course aimed at correcting common grammatical errors in the students’ use of
English. The course takes all first year students through a review of English grammar, and is a
required course. The objective is to revise grammatical usage in preparation towards effective
speaking and writing. The emphasis here is on usage of grammatical and lexical items. Topics
such as spelling, parts of speech, punctuation, subject-verb agreement, misrelated and ambiguous
constructions, sentence fragments and skills such as reading, comprehension, summary and
paragraph writing will be taught.

COURSE CONTENT
WEEK(S) TOPIC FURTHER READINGS
1-2 Overview of the course & Diagnostic Test Afreh (2007). pp. 14-176
Parts of Speech - Usage
• Noun
• Verb
ü Tense and Voice
• Adjective
• Adverb
Preposition
• Pronoun
• Conjunction
• Determiner
• Interjection
3-4 Sentence Types Afreh (2007). pp. 210-220
• Structural
- Simple sentence
- Compound sentence
- Complex sentence
• Functional

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 - Declarative sentence/Statement
- Interrogative sentence/Question
- Imperative sentence/Command
- Exclamative sentence/Exclamation
5 Errors on sentences
Sentence fragments
Comma splice
Run-on sentences
Parallel Structures
6-7 • Ambiguities Opoku-Agyemang (1998).
• Dangling and misrelated constructions pp. 64-81
Adesanya, F. (2007) (Ed.)
8-9 Mechanics in language use Afreh (2006). pp. 166-175;
• Concord 253-263.
• Punctuation Opoku-Agyemang (1998).
• Spelling (An Overview) pp. 122-134
Yankson (1994)
10-11 Paragraph writing Sekyi-Baidoo (2003). pp.
• What is a paragraph? 140-172
• Qualities of a good paragraph Zemach & Rumisek
• Paragraph Development (2005). pp. 11-55.
• Paragraph Analysis Bergmann (1971)
• Different types of paragraph
- Expository
- Descriptive
- Narrative
- Argumentative
12 Text Comprehension and Summary Writing
13 Revision
14 End-of-Semester Examination

CLASS ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION

Attendance to lectures is compulsory to all students and at all times. In the event where a student
will not be able to attend lectures for various reasons, that student is required to obtain permission
from the lecturer through writing. It must be noted, however, that any student who fails to attend
lectures without permission on the grounds of ill-health shall have to provide proof in the form of
medical report certified by the University Medical Officer. Full class participation is highly
expected as it attracts some points.

READING TASKS

In addition to the suggested list of books, students are going to be assigned directed readings on
each topic for the week. Each student is expected to read them before coming to class.

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EVALUATION

Evaluation will be based on the university-wide stipulated grading policy (i.e. 30% continuous
assessment and 70% final examination). The two are broken down as follows:

Continuous Assessment

The continuous assessment will comprise an INDIVIDUAL and/or GROUP ASSIGNMENTS

which will constitute 10 marks, a MID-SEMSETER Examination 10 Marks and Unannounced In-
class Assignments plus Attendance 10 Marks.

Final Examination

The final examination, which shall comprise multiple-choice questions, will constitute 70%.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Students are always required to do independent work unless they are told to do otherwise as in the
case of group assignments. Thus, students may share ideas and information on a given exercise
but the individual student should own the final work. Second, and most importantly, all external
sources used in any work must be duly acknowledged since failure to do so will amount to
plagiarism.

READING LIST
Adesanya, F. (2007) (Ed.). The art of proofreading. Illorin: Glory Prints.

Afreh, E. S. (2006). Grammar and usage for tertiary students. Kumasi: C & C. (Available at the
Department of English General Office for sale)

Bergmann, L.F. (1971). Paragraph rhetoric: A programme in composition. Boston: Allyn &
Bacon Inc.

Gogovi, G. A. K, Gborsong, P. A. Yankah, V. K, & Essel, K. (2000). Communicative Skills.

Cape Coast: Centre for Continuing Education.

Hyland, K. (2009). Academic discourse: English in a global context. New York: Continuum.

Opoku-Agyemang, N. J. (1998). A handbook for writing skills. Accra: Ghana Universities Press.

Sekyi-Baidoo, Y. (2003). Learning and communicating (Second Edition). Accra: Infinity

Graphics Ltd.

Yankson, K. E. (1994). Better English through concord for West African students. Cape Coast:
Hampton Press.

Zemach, D. E. & Rumisek, L. A. (2005). Academic writing from paragraph to essay. Oxford:
Macmillan.

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