About this previous year paper
This is the B.Tech Semester III examination paper for Technical Communication (KAS301).
The exam carries 100 marks and focuses on students’ understanding of communication principles, writing skills, presentation skills, interpersonal communication, group discussion, critical thinking, resume/report writing, professional speaking, and communication flow in organizations.
It is divided into three structured sections – A, B, and C, covering conceptual, descriptive, and application-based questions.
SECTION A – Short Answer Questions (20 Marks)
This section contains 10 compulsory questions (2 marks each) that test fundamental concepts of communication, such as:
Achieving clarity in technical communication
Devices for coherence in writing
Difference between investigative and feasibility reports
Theme clarity in technical lectures
Interpersonal communication
Essentials of effective public speaking
Main objectives of a group discussion
Meaning and importance of critical thinking
Importance of pronunciation etiquette
Definition of syllable with examples
These questions assess the basics of written, oral, and professional communication.
SECTION B – Descriptive Questions (30 Marks)
Students must attempt any three of the five 10-mark questions.
This section includes:
Difference between general communication & technical communication
Focus on accuracy, clarity, conciseness, purpose, audience, and format.
Structure of a Technical Research Paper
Abstract → Introduction → Literature Review → Methodology → Results → Conclusion → References.
Audience Analysis
Factors involved and strategies to retain listeners/readers.
Personality Traits in Group Discussion
Confidence, teamwork, argument handling, leadership, communication style, etc.
Importance of Professional Personality Attributes
Appearance, attitude, behavior, ethics, body language, etc.
This section tests analysis, explanation skills, and conceptual depth.
SECTION C – Long / Application-Based Questions (50 Marks)
Each question (Q3 to Q7) has two options, and students must answer one part from each.
Q3 – Language & Communication Flow
Features of language as a tool of expression
OR
Directions of communication flow (downward, upward, lateral, diagonal, external)
Q4 – Resume & Report Writing
Types of resumes + Draft a resume for Infosys Executive Engineer role
OR
Types of reports + Style and format of a professional report
Q5 – Public Speaking / Argumentation
Factors for effective public speaking + techniques to make speeches impactful
OR
Devices used in argumentation (logic, evidence, rebuttal, persuasion techniques)
Q6 – Interview Preparation / Business Communication
Factors to consider while preparing for an interview
OR
Types of effective business communication competencies
Q7 – Paralinguistics / Communication Process
Paralinguistic features: tone, pitch, voice modulation, pauses, volume, speed
OR
Steps in the communication process: sender → encoding → channel → decoding → feedback → noise
This section evaluates the student’s ability to apply communication principles to real professional scenarios.
OVERALL SUMMARY
The Technical Communication (KAS301) question paper comprehensively assesses skills required for professional success:
Written communication
Reports, resumes, coherence, clarity
Oral communication
Public speaking, pronunciation, paralinguistics
Professional communication
Group discussions, interviews, business communication
Cognitive skills
Critical thinking, argumentation, communication flow
Personality development
Professional attributes, interpersonal communication
It blends theory, practical application, and skill-based questions, offering a complete evaluation of communication competence in technical and workplace environments.