Ayaka’s Blog

Weakness and Strength in the Learning Process

In the ENGL 301 course, I have gained a lot of English skills by writing various assignments. I have realized some weakness and strength of my learning process. My weakness is that I am a slow and inefficient writer; it takes a lot of time to finish an assignment. I sometimes had to spend more than three days (about 45 hours) for just one assignment. On the other hand,  the strength  is my organization skill. I always think how to order the contents in order to flow smoothly. Actually, the formal report outline was one of the hardest parts because of a lot of ways to organize it and difficulty to choose which organization best described my points. This experience made me strong in organization. Overall, I was able to gain a strong organization skill in this course.

 

Weakness and Strength in the Assignments

In the ENGL 301 course, I have written a lot of assignments in order to increase the writing ability and creativity. My weaknesses are grammar and usages. Since I am an international student, articles and prepositions are the hardest to choose. Moreover, some usages I think are correct are not actually correct. On the other hand, I found some grammatical mistakes, thanks to my classmates, and even learned some sophisticated phrases or expressions from them. My strength in the assignments is that I can see one aspect from various viewpoints. This is because I have a lot of experience both in Japan and Canada, so I can consider things from the perspectives of both Japanese and Canadians. That was useful when thinking about writing topics or contents. For example, the topic of formal report was selected, comparing Japanese work environment to Canadian one; that is, long working hours is usual in Japan but not in Canada. Overall, my weaknesses are poor grammar and usages, and my strength is having various viewpoints, both of which is because I am Japanese.

 

Obtained Skills and Strength for the Future Career, Volunteer or Educational Goals

The ENGL 301 course has notified me many strategies for writing. Before the term started, I had no opportunities to learn how to write in professional and technical situations so that I am glad that I was able to gain these important writing skills. Especially, the “You-Attitude” writing style was new to me. Even though I was struggling for writing positively about negative points, using this “You-Attitude” writing style led to showing more sincereness and attracting readers. Regarding the assignment to write a definition, I explained a technical term to non-technical audience, which will be beneficial to explain my subject to ordinal people in the future. In addition, since I would like to work for a chemical company, writing business letters using a correct format will be necessary in order to send them from my company to its clients, employees, and other companies. Furthermore, although application packages are very important for job hunting, I had never learned how to write a resume, a cover letter and requesting letters before this class. Therefore, writing an application package was a great opportunity for me. Those are some examples of what I have learned; I learned more various writing formats, styles, structures and voices in specific situations. I am glad of taking this impressive course and proud of what I have done in this semester. Overall, this course significantly enriches my future career.

 

Process of Creating Web Folio

The last assignment in ENGL 301 course is creating Web Folio. At first, I did not know what, where and how to create Web Folio and even did not know what Web Folio is. I checked some people’s Web Folios. I realized that people give different and various information toward specific readers; narrowing down target readers is essential to provide desirable, reliable, and useful information. Furthermore, it was interesting to look at how Web Folio writers organize their contents, which is because the challenging part of creating Web Folio is organization. Specifically, how to order the menu bar in order to attract readers and make them read further is a difficult task. Readers tend to look at the left side of the menu bar first. As my solution, I created it from the most important to the less important from the left to the right, which would make readers understand which order they should read.

In fact, Web Folio gives great information of myself. I probably need to create Web Folio for my future career so that I will be able to use this wonderful experience effectively and usefully. Overall, the experience of creating Web Folio gives me a tip of what to care about for readers.

 

Process of Revising the Best Works

Revising my works from the first assignment is impressive because I could see how my writing skills have improved. Surely, peer review enhanced the abilities of both writing and creativity; I appreciate that my team members sincerely gave me their opinions and suggestions about my writing. I am also proud of the number of works I have done and my academic attainment of various formats and styles of writing. I am glad to take this course and gain some knowledge of technical writing; the techniques learned in this course will boost my professional future career. Overall, this is one of the invaluable courses in my academic study.

 

Process of researching for a formal report draft

In the third unit of the ENGL 301 course, researching the published articles, books or websites to support the importance of “recommendations” for the specific readers was assigned. One of the hardest parts of this assignment was finding the reliable and strong sources. For websites, it is easy to find strong sources but difficult to determine which sites are reliable. Published articles and books are surely reliable, but it is hard to determine which articles and books strongly support my “recommendations.” On the other hand, one of the great things of researching for the formal report is to use a key technique I found during researching how to create LinkedIn profile; collecting all information and picking up the most useful one. Different websites or articles give various details so that the technique helps me organize key points faster. Overall, this task told me the importance of finding reliable and strong sources to support the formal report by using the technique.

 

Process of organizing and writing a formal report draft

The assignment of organizing and writing a formal report draft occupied most of the work in the third unit in the ENGL 301 course. To organize a formal report, the most difficult part was how to order the subheadings of the data section in order to support and connect strongly with the main point of the report. The examples in the textbook were helpful for figuring it out. The formal report draft being written, some difficulties confronted me. Firstly, since the topic was negative, it was very hard not to use negative words. Secondly, it was difficult to decide how and where to use and emphasize “You Attitude.” Thirdly, the obtained data was not stronger than I had expected. Though these difficulties remained, I overcame them and wrote a stronger formal report by using feedback from my peer, some examples online in the textbook, and my creativity. Overall, organizing and writing a formal report are surely important tasks in order to improve my writing and creativity.

 

Peer review process

I had a chance to read a team member’s, Ryan’s, formal report draft, “Opportunities from Sustainable and Transparent Ingredient Sourcing.” His formal report draft was very interesting and concise with all requirements. In addition, his creativity of constructing the report and containing reliable data inspired me a lot. In fact, I was able to understand how to support the “Recommendations” strongly using the obtained data and published articles. On the other hand, providing critical feedbacks and finding lacks in his report also improved my own work. For example, being picky, I found the mistakes for both of us and specific suggestions of what to clarify and how to change the style or designs in his formal report draft. These findings also improved my writing skills and creativity of expressing great images of the report. Constructive feedback from Ryan was very valuable and helpful to develop my work. Specially, he gave me some suggestions to avoid using negative words, which I appreciated since I was struggling with writing the report positively. Overall, the peer review process provided me how to support important points from the raw data and helped me find what was missing in my writing skills and creative thinking.

 

The following is the link of the assignment:

301 Ayaka Matsuno Revised Peer Review of a Formal Report Draft

 

Process of researching how to create LinkedIn profile

In the second unit of the ENGL 301 course, a list of ten best practices for using LinkedIn as a professional networking was assigned. One of the hardest parts of this assignment was finding the reliable sources. The sites of LinkedIn companies and the published articles and books about LinkedIn provide reliable information. In addition, different websites or articles give various details. Collecting all information and picking up the most useful one is a key for the research. Furthermore, combining two or three similar tips about practicing one point is desirable to create a strong and concise practice. These techniques are beneficial and helpful for researching published articles in the formal report. From this assignment, I have learned that carrying out research is significant before creating an actual profile because many people, companies and professionals are attracted by skills being used in a profile. Overall, the assignment told us the importance of using reliable sources, gathering information and doing research before creating an actual profile.

 

Process of brainstorming and preparing for the report proposal, outline, and memorandum of the progress report

The assignments of writing a formal report proposal, a formal report outline and an email memorandum for a progress report occupied most of the work in the second unit in the ENGL 301 course. In the proposal, the hardest part was to choose a right topic. A topic should be not too broad and not too narrow, which requires to find out what kind of topics are suitable for a formal report proposal. In addition, coming up with a good topic and ideas, which can bring about a solution by conducting surveys, interviews, and observation, was very difficult. In order to write the formal proposal and eventually the whole report easily, it was crucial to determine a topic which was familiar with my current situation. In the outline, the organization was complicated, especially in the data section. In what order to write and how to divide its content were difficult. As the solution of this problem, the online examples and the example in the textbooks were helpful. The email memorandum for the progress report was useful to follow the requirements in the formal report. Overall, these three steps helped me understand clearly and deeply in order to write a proper formal report.

 

Peer review process

I had a chance to read a team member’s, Jieun’s, proposal, “Determining the Feasibility of Renovating the Rooftop patio at Pendrell Mews apartment.” Her proposal was very interesting, concise, and detailed with all requirements. In addition, new viewpoints and sophisticated word choices to express her ideas inspired me. In fact, her proposal led me to being in the right track of deciding my topic and expanding my ideas when I was struggling for them. On the other hand, providing critical feedbacks and finding lacks for her report also improved my own work. For example, giving specific suggestions of what to add in the sections of “state of problem” and “scope,” increased my creativity and writing ability to express my ideas. Constructive feedback from Jieun was very valuable to develop my own work. Specially, her unique perspectives, especially in the proposed solution part, gave me marvelous ideas, which surely made my proposal concreate. Overall, the peer review process provided me new perspectives and ideas which would expand my writing skills and creative thinking.

 

The followings are the links of the assignment:

301 Ayaka Matsuno LinkedIn Best Practices Memo

301 Ayaka Matsuno Formal Report Proposal

301 Ayaka Matsuno Progress Report

301 Ayaka Matsuno Proposal Memo

Original writing process of the technical definition

In the first unit of the ENGL 301 course, we are supposed to explain a professional or technical complicated term to non-technical readers by using three types of definitions: a parenthetical definition, a sentence definition, and an expanded definition. I realized how hard this assignment was while I was writing the first draft. I had never explained a technical term to non-technical audience, so it was difficult to select a word or phrase I was able to use. In addition, the words I unintentionally use every day are actually technical terms, but since I use them every day, I had never realized which terms are technical. This process, choosing an appropriate term, helped me improve my thinking ability for the term and my writing ability of expressing the ideas. Personally, this was one of the hardest things in this assignment.

In addition, I have learned how to write the three types of definitions. In a parenthetical definition, the short definition is explained, which can be linked to the main term or phrase by using a bracket. A sentence definition is a sentence which explains the term and its distinguished features. An expanded definition provides more details with various methods. I found which methods are effective depending on the situation. For example, I used visual images which became aids to my explanation and brought the readers better understandings. Some methods are not useful to explain the word so that we have to choose the right method carefully to write the solid expanded definition. Moreover, what type of definition to be used hinges upon when and where to give the information.

Overall, through the writing process, I have learned various ways of writing definitions, and improved thinking, writing, and planning abilities.

 

Peer Review Process

I had a chance to review one of my team members’, Avani Dhunna’s, draft of three definitions, which helped me improve my writing. I realized how, what and where I needed to work for my own writing from her writing. For example, in comparison with her writing, I found that the organization of my post was poor, so it should be changed into tidier and clearer one. In addition, her writing notified me what kind of methods were effective and could be nicely related to the contents. I learned how to connect the visuals and the contents. In addition, new perspectives of expressing her ideas inspired me. On the other hand, I provided critical feedbacks on how she would be able to improve her own work. Seeking what she lacked in her post, I also found what to improve in my own work. In addition, by demonstrating the revised version of her work by using examples, my creativity and writing ability to express ideas for non-technical readers increased, which was beneficial for me. I also got the constructive feedback from my team member, which was helpful to develop my own writing. Overall, this peer review process helped my technical writing skills by not only receiving critical feedback but also comparing my team member’s and my own works and giving the critical feedback to her.

 

Editing Process

I have received both positive and critical feedback on my work from my team member, Avani Dhunna. She gave me very helpful and beneficial feedback. I was able to obtain her perspectives and see how the readers can view my writing. From her feedback, I was able to find what to be improved and reflected her opinions. For example, I created a section for “etymology” in order the readers to follow easily and labelled the three definitions separately. In addition, my grammatical flows needed some work; I revised the repetitive use of language and a run-on sentence. She also left positive comments of how I could successfully write the three definitions for non-technical readers, which motivated me to write more and better. I believe I could not only gain or improve writing skills but also expand creative thinking and recognize different views of perspectives by this exercise.

 

Followings are the links of the assignments:

301 Ayaka Matsuno Definition Assignment

301 Ayaka Matsuno Peer Review of Definition Assignment

 

Dear Avani,

 

I am writing this email in order to request you to be a part of an ENGL 301 professional writing team in this summer term. I find your written communication skills are valuable and prominent; In fact, I have learned your ideas and how you expressed them in your writings. In addition, our learning philosophy is very similar, which means we can come together as a writing team successfully and achieve our goals wonderfully. Since I was born and have grown in Japan, my perspective might be different from others’, which might give you new and different ideas. Therefore, if we are in the same group, we can complementally help each other and eventually make a strong team.

I have attached my application letter. I would like to join your group and discussing with you and your colleagues to enhance our writing abilities and have wonderful experiences. Thank you very much for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Warm regards,

 

Ayaka Matsuno

ENGL 301 98A Technical writing

University of British Columbia

Phone: (778)320-4780

 

 

Dear Ryan,

 

I am writing this email in order to invite you to become a member of my professional writing team in this summer term. I have discovered your written communication thoughtful and expressive, which inspires me. In addition, your learning philosophy is touching me since your idea is the one I have never thought and is impressive. I feel I want to be in the same group with you and work collaboratively.

Your application says that you concentrate on one task at the moment, but I am good at multi-tasking so that we can cover each other. In addition, having been born and grown in Japan, I have diverse perspectives and different points of view compared to others’. Sharing our diverse viewpoints complementally helps each other, and eventually we can make a strong team. We can come together as a writing team successfully and achieve our goals wonderfully

I have attached my application letter. I would like to be in the same group and speaking with you and your colleagues to enhance our writing abilities and have valuable experiences. Thank you very much for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Warm regards,

 

Ayaka Matsuno

ENGL 301 Student 98A Technical Writing

University of British Columbia

Phone: (778)320-4780

 

 

Dear Jieun,

 

Thank you so much for your email and your attached application letter to join an ENGL 301 professional writing team in this summer term. I am pleased to accept your kind offer.

I have read your application letter. I am inspired that you have tried to restart your second carrier as a major of computer science. I believe that the quitting the past job and restarting your academic carrier are not easy decisions for you. I admire your braveness and new challenge. I am sure I can get something new from you and am so glad to be in the same group with you. Furthermore, I realize that our work habits and strengths are similar, which indicates that we can carry out any writing projects through collaboration and enhance our writing skills. We can succeed and achieve our goals together.

Again, thank you so much for your consideration. I am looking forward to discussing with you soon in the group and having productive and valuable experiences in this summer term.

 

Kindly,

 

Ayaka Matsuno

ENGL 301 Student 98A Technical Writing

University of British Columbia

Phone: (778)320-4780

 

 

MEMORANDUM

 

To: Erika Paterson, Professor, University of British Columbia

From: Ayaka Matsuno, Student, University of British Columbia

Date: May 25, 2021

Subject: Posted Application Letter

 

I am writing this email to inform you that I have posted my application letter for the Professional Writing Team. Please find an attached document for my application letter.

The attached application letter includes:

• Identification of myself and description of my academic and professional background briefly
• My previous achievements both at school and at work
• Lists of my strengths and weakness in terms of writing skills and work habits
• Description of my learning philosophy

Please let me know if anything is unclear or you need more additional information. I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Enclosure: 301 Ayaka Matsuno Application Letter

 

Sincerely,

 

Ayaka Matsuno

301 Ayaka Matsuno Application Letter

 

ENGL 301 98A

Erika Paterson

Vancouver, BC

 

Subject: The Position with a Professional Writing Team

 

Dear Fellow Student,

 

I am writing to obtain a position of the professional writing team in this summer term. I am diligent and energetic, and have had several team-project experiences to communicate and write together as a team member. I was always a reliable member in my writing teams and contributed to my team’s success. While majoring in science in UBC, I have been working as a researcher in Nagoya Institute of Technology in Japan, so I also have a strong science background. I do believe that I am a promising and successful candidate as a member of the professional writing team.

In one of my group projects at UBC, my group achieved excellent grades. Our opinions often conflicted with one another; however, we discussed them repeatedly and finally overcame the disagreements by respecting and collaborating with one another effectively, which led to a successful work. In this experience, owing to my members, I have gained not only problem-solving skills but also creative thinking. Moreover, this experience taught me how to be motivated and get along with others. In the current work at the pharmaceutical lab, cooperating with my laboratory members, I have gained strong senses of responsibility and bravery of taking an action immediately. I have done my work enthusiastically and have been able to state my opinions and views explicitly.

Here are a few lists of my strengths and weakness I would like to highlight. I do work well in a team project, am enthusiastic in communicating and discussing with others, am good at multi-tasking. My coworkers have characterized me as a passionate, patient, open-minded, responsible, and hardworking person. Oppositely, I am not so creative and sometimes too detailed-oriented. In regarding to my personal learning philosophy, I am always open to listen to others’ perspectives and opinions and obtain new points of view or new ways of writing from my classmates. I always remind myself that I should respect others.

I am looking forward to being in the group and discussing with you and your colleagues in order to improve our writing and have good experiences. If you are interested in me, please send me email amatsuno@student.ubc.ca.Thank you so much for your interest.

 

Warm regards,

 

Ayaka Matsuno

301 Ayaka Matsuno Application Letter