Unit one we were instructed to choose a complex term that is used within your discipline and to explain this term to a non-technical audience through various definitions. Working with a partner, each person completes a peer review and editing of each other’s definitions. I found the peer editing very useful in viewing this assignment from either side of the process. As a writer familiar with my discipline, it was difficult to communicate to a layperson terms that I use daily with colleagues, other professionals, and professors. When I peer-reviewed my partners work, I realized that I was unfamiliar with their chosen definition, and it helped me to look deeper into my original work through the eye of a non-technical reader.
The term I picked was “periodontal disease”, which is very prevalent in the adult population, and I see and treat on a weekly basis. As I was writing my definitions to explain this common term within my workplace, I had to constantly go back and revise my vocabulary to allow my classmate to understand. Despite my efforts, during my peer review, there were still several jargons that my classmate questioned during the editing process, that I have revised in my attached document, along with a more comprehensive visual. My partner graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Science specializing in Atmospheric Science. She picked “nimbostratus” (I remembered the correct spelling!), for her definitions assignment. I have zero knowledge of weather systems, other than the terms mentioned in the news lately from recent hurricanes. Her visual clearly depicted the term she defined, however, I believe I would struggle to identify this cloud formation without it.
Through this process, I have learned to carefully understand the audience that I am writing for. The tone and terminology should be appropriate for comprehension. I found it challenging to peer review my partner’s assignment, as she was the expert on the subject, however, asking questions to fill in the blanks was helpful to clarify misunderstandings.
I have attached my revised definition assignment, the link to the original, as well as the review from my peer.
http://engl301.arts.ubc.ca/2017/09/22/13-definitions-of-periodontal-disease/
http://engl301.arts.ubc.ca/2017/09/27/peer-review-definition-of-periodontal-disease/