Author: daniel aghda

Firstly, I found the process of researching quite fun and accessible. There was a vast amount of information at my disposal regarding WFH working style since the COVID pandemic had increased the overall majority of the white collar working class to partake. As such, academia, newsletters, journal articles and the such were interested and studied the environmental, economic, and social implications of the change in the workforce and the only difficult part really was to condense the vast amount of information and target it specifically towards my formal report. Not to cherry pick to validate my hypothesis (actually quite the opposite!) but to find interesting and relatable studies that corresponded with the content.

Organizing my formal report was also not much of an issue, I found it easy to split my content into Introduction, Scientific Articles, Economic Articles, Survey Observation/Analysis and then Conclusion. Subsection headings were more of a challenge to get specific titles for what I aimed to write for. Writing my formal report was again very straightforward, the ideas flowed nicely from mind to document as I analyzed my primary and secondary sources as well as my own data and essentially wrote about the  clear, conclusive findings found from all data. Images were utilized from source and I created my own to represent survey data that helped visualize to the reader the significant points made. 

The most challenging part was reviewing my peer’s formal draft – I saw edits and revisions that I should have made prior to submitting. Small mistakes such as grammar and spelling were there but more importantly was the displaying of content, does it correlate with the audience well? Is there too much “hand-holding” or not enough? Is the layout of the paper in the correct order? Questions such as these crossed my mind for not only my peer’s report but mine as well at the time of reviewing their draft. It definitely helped both parties in a sense as I could take what I suggested while doing their draft and also consider what they mentioned to revise and re-edit appropriately.

Here is a link to my formal report draft:

https://blogs.ubc.ca/engl301-98a-2021sa/2021/07/12/formal-report-draft/

The following blog consists of a reflection made for Unit 2 assignments:

Beginning with networking tips for LinkedIn profiles, I found a variety of information during my research that I had not previously known. Honestly I felt a bit overwhelmed as I saw LinkedIn before more casually than perhaps it is intended to be. I realize now the way people are able to approach this specific platform to utilize for pursuing further goals, opportunities and professional connections. So while I do feel I have made an adequate social media profile, researching led to me perhaps become more active with using it and see where it takes me down the road.

For brainstorming aspects of my report proposal and outline, It was actually quite fun. I felt that I had a suitable idea for this assignment and the creativity behind implementing the proposal and outline felt very natural. I am content with my progress of my report so far and am eager to see the next steps and the final product.  My only questions would be regarding the report are if would it be possible to see previous class examples as for styling and guideline assistance.

I have learned through the peer review process that I need to remove pronouns such as we/our as well as be more specific with my language. Sometimes I find I am able to write quantity without saying what I can in fewer sentences! I am not surprised by my colleague’s work as I expected the  innovative, fulfilling ideas I have glanced upon and can definitely realize the impact of peer reviewing by almost making intuitive decisions prior to handing in my assignment regarding what my classmate would say for feedback.

Here are links to the edited formal proposal and formal outline:

https://blogs.ubc.ca/engl301-98a-2021sa/2021/06/13/formal-proposal-daniel-aghda/

https://blogs.ubc.ca/engl301-98a-2021sa/2021/06/23/daniel-aghda-formal-report-outline/

The following post is a reflection and some thoughts I’ve had during the process of completing Unit 1. It will be divided into three paragraphs to discuss the original assignment, the peer reviewing process, and how revisions were implemented/made me approach an assignment differently for next unit!

For the original assignment I was very surprised at first, I had no previous knowledge that a single word can be defined in various ways described in the textbook and utilized by the class and I. Even though I knew the word previously It was almost as if each definition brought a clearer understanding by using an unique method from the previous definition. The expanded definition in particular I found very convincing to use for further purposes in academic and professional environments as translating certain knowledge to an audience not familiar with the terminology can be expressed quite effectively now.

Initially the peer review process was difficult, I am not one to have an eye for analytical review of one’s writing. Immediately seeing any edits and changes I would recommend was not evident, I was impressed by Vishnu’s ability to describe algorithm as it is a term I wouldn’t have chosen myself. Upon reading the blog post and document provided, I began to see the perspective we are looking for when peer reviewing and was able to come up with comparisons of his work and what was being asked of us by the criteria. Concerns regarding grammar, visual revisions such as text size, proper Works cited and has the task been accomplished were all questions on my mind to analyze Vishnu’s assignment and hopefully provide helpful feedback.

Lastly, the revision process was the most clear and straightforward aspect of the assignment. I took Vishnu’s recommendations and added them to make my revised definition assignment. It was practical and clear approach to simply read and implement what was asked after considering if it makes sense to myself (which it did!), It was nice to get a team member’s opinion on an assignment as simple as restructuring layout sometimes misses my eye and that written communication between classmates played a crucial role in this.

The following are the revised definition and Vishnu’s peer review used to make the revisions:

https://blogs.ubc.ca/engl301-98a-2021sa/2021/06/08/revised-definition-of-scrum-by-daniel-aghda/

https://blogs.ubc.ca/engl301-98a-2021sa/2021/06/04/vishnu-rengan-peer-review-of-daniel-aghdas-defintion-of-scrum/

To: OtherStudents@ENGL301.ubc.ca

From: daghda@student.ubc.ca

Re: Prospective Member of Writing Team

Hello,

I am writing to you to ask you to be a part of a writing team for ENGL 301, I find your written communication very expressive and straightforward and alongside your creative ventures I am confident in our formation of a team to ensure success and fun during the semester.

I’ve attached my application letter below, thank you for your consideration and I’m looking forward to discussing this opportunity further with you.

Cheers,

Daniel

301 Daniel Aghda Application Letter

ENGL 301

Erika Paterson

Vancouver, BC

Re: Professional Writing Team

Dear Fellow Students,

I am writing to you to express my interest in facilitating a team of passionate, like-minded individuals to collaborate as a team for the semester we share. With my background technical writing, verbal and written communication, team project experience and a business/sciences background I am confident my personal work experience and cohesive education will attribute to being a successful candidate as a member of our team.

I enjoy being challenged and engaging with projects that require me to work beyond my comfort zone and adapt to various situations requiring both an independent and collaborative mindset. My commitment to pursuing this team merger to the best of my ability encourages me to continue learning new aspects of technical writing that can be learned through coursework, mentorship, and work experience.

Your requirements for a team candidate strongly resemble my background and skillset. A few of my strengths I would like to highlight are the following:

• Committed to excel in an independent and collaborative manner through an organized, interpersonal and detail-oriented mindset

• Excellent language/technical communication skills built by prior work and academic experience to communicate with colleagues, supervisors

• Strong understanding of time management and task prioritization

• Able to be a self-starter and strive towards demonstrating leadership initiative

I look forward to formally discussing with you and your colleagues in regard to the abilities and experience I can bring towards our team, I can be reached daghda@student.ubc.ca and Thank you for the consideration, I am eager to hear from you soon.

Best Regards,

Daniel

                                                                                                    Memorandum

DATE: May, 15, 2021

TO: Erika Paterson

FROM: Daniel Aghda

SUBJECT: Posted 301 Application Letter

I am writing to inform you of my Application Letter that is referenced below, the letters consists of describing my skills of :

• Cooperation
• Proactivity
• TIme-management

in accordance with my prior written and verbal communication skills to ensure success as a team member and fellow student of ENGL 301. If anything else is needed on my end, please feel free to let me know and have a great day.

Cheers,

Daniel

301 Daniel Aghda Application Letter

301 Daniel Aghda Application Letter

Hi everyone,

Here is a link to my Application Letter, looking forward to teaming up soon.

All the best,

Daniel