Category Archives: Unit 1

April 10, 2022 · 4:51 pm

Home Page

Hello everyone. Welcome to my blog for ENGL 301 technical writing.

Within this blog, I hope to document my journey of learning technical writing skills in this course. I’ll be posting the assignments on the “BLOG” page that you can easily find on the top bar of the blog site, as well as my personal biography on the “BIO” page. The assignments will be corresponding to the topics such as memos, e-mail, letters, and others that will help us succeed in everyday communication.

A little bit of myself. I am currently a third-year Nutrition Science student working part-time in the pharmacy that I wish to become a health care professional in one day.

As a student who has just started working with doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals, I find myself not confident in technical writing. Sending e-mails, leaving memos, and reporting current issues have always taken tons of time for me to make it sound a little bit professional. By taking this course, I hope to improve and build my confidence by practicing writing, learning new skills, and discussing writing strategies with peers. Thus, it helps me increase my work efficiency and allows me to have efficient communication with patients and my colleagues.

Certainly, I would love to make new friends in this course and to help each other through their technical writing skills learning journey. Working with groups of people can not be more engageable. Since this course is offered on an online learning platform that might be hard to see everyone in person, I am excited to connect with you all through comments on my blogs or Primary ENGL 301 class chat functions. I will be very glad to answer and respond to your comments and questions.

Looking forward to seeing your comments and valued thoughts,

Christine Hsiao

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· 3:22 pm

Revised Peer Review of the Definition Assignment

To: Dhara, Technical Writing Team Member

From: Christine, Technical Writing Team Member

Date: Feb 4th, 2022

Peer Review / Term: Algorithm

Congratulations, and thank you for posting the 1.3 assignment. Please consider reading through the peer review document below with suggestions for improvement.

First Impressions: 

This impressive document includes a well-organized structure, good visual cited adequately, and propitiate reference list.

Organization:

  • Excellent work on organizing the document to make it pleasant to read.
    • An Introduction with detailed information
    • The bolded heading is easy to read
    • Figures with correct citation

Expression: 

  • The understanding of the definition is well expressed throughout the entire document.
  • Overall, the tone is friendly and professional; however, if the document could be more concise, it could make the points more transparent.
  • Some sentences can be more direct. For example:
    • “A common example of an algorithm is a cake recipe, where a sequence of steps are followed to accomplish the task of baking a cake.”
      • The passive voice and the wordy preface can create a clarity problem.
      • Rewrite example: A cake recipe is a typical example of an algorithm; making cakes takes a sequence of steps.
    • “All algorithms can be produced with just three basic building blocks: sequence selection and interaction.”
      • Rewrite example: Sequence, selection, and iteration are the three basic building blocks to produce algorithms.

Content: 

  • The document followed the instruction of the 1.3 assignment, which includes
    • Summary of the assignment; introduction
    • The situation indicates the potential audience
    • Three forms of definition: parenthetical definition, sentence definition, and expanded definition
    • Four types of expansion definition
    • One visual
    • A reference list in MLA format
  • Include the ‘why’ Algorithms are used in computing.

Visuals: 

  • Well done on the visual.
    • The picture is well explained, labelled and cited.

Work Cited List: 

Grammar and Typos: 

  • There are several minor grammar errors; one example is: “A common example of an algorithm is a cake recipe, where a sequence of steps are followed to accomplish the task of baking a cake.”
    • Please note that “a sequence of steps” is singular and “are” is plural; this needs correction.

Concluding Comments: 

Thank you! It’s been a pleasure to review your definition document that is informative and well organized. With the following suggestions, this will be an excellent document:

  • Self-editing for clarity is needed:
    • Grammar
    • Choice of passive or active voice

Thank you for your time in reading through the peer review document. Please feel free to ask any questions.

Cheers.

Three Definitions on “Algorithm”

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· 3:21 pm

Revised Definition Assignment

Introduction

The assignment will explain the term “deductible” to a novice audience, who is not familiar with how insurance works with drug-claim. The learning objectives are listed below in point form.

  • Appreciate the importance and role of definitions in technical writing
  • Understand how audience and purpose indicate the need for definition
  • Differentiate between the levels of details in the definition
  • select the right level of detail according to the situation

My definition of “deductible.”

Situation:

At the beginning of the year, many patients wonder why PharmaCare does not cover their medication.

Parenthetical definition:

The patient hasn’t reached the deductible (amount to be borne by the insured).

Sentence definition:

“Deductible” is an amount of the money to be paid by the insured before insurance companies pay the claim. In this case, the insured are the patients, and the insurance company is PharmaCare.



Expanded definition:


Analysis parts


To get a better idea of how deductible works, please consider the following three main parts:


    

  1. It is calculated based on your family income tax (Fair PharmaCare Calculator)
    2. 

  2. Higher family income will have a higher deductible rate and vice versa
    3. 

  3. Deductible will be reset at the beginning of the year
    4. 



*Note that only the eligible medical service or medication will be counted toward the deductible.


How does it work?


The patients need to pay 100% of their deductible. Once the deductible is reached, BC PharmaCare will start paying 70% of your eligible medication. At this point, patients still need to pay for part of the medication (30%). When your Family’s Maximum (the maximum amount your family could afford estimated by the government) is reached, BC PharmaCare will pay 100% for the rest of the year of eligible prescribed medication.



Health costs during your retirement


Figure 1 How does BC PharmaCare Work?


Source: Pacific Blue Cross


Example


The doctor prescribed an 80 dollars medication to C person in January. Known that C’s deductible is 1000 dollars calculated from the Fair PharmaCare Calculator. Therefore, If C wants the medication, C will need to pay for the full price, 80 dollars. Throughout the months, C accumulates the prescription to 1200 dollars; over the deductible rate, for the next 100 dollars prescription that she only needs to pay 30 dollars.


Why I was covered last year but not this year?


Two possible cases are listed below:


    

  • Reached the deductible:

      

    • However, the prescribed medication is not an eligible medication covered by the plan of PharmaCare;
      • 

    

    • 

  • Haven’t reached the deductible:

      

    • It’s the beginning of the year the deductible is meant to reset.
      • 

    

    • 



This explains why Pharmacare does not cover the cost of the prescription at the beginning of the year.



References


“Fair PharmaCare Calculator.” Health. British Columbia, https://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/plani/calculator/calculator-2019.html.


“Fair PharmaCare Plan.” British Columbia, https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/pharmacare-for-bc-residents/who-we-cover/fair-pharmacare-plan.


“Understanding Fair PharmaCare: The BC government’s drug plan.” Pacific Blue Cross, https://www.pac.bluecross.ca/pdf-bin/info/0601.02.006_UNDERSTANDING_pharmacare.pdf.



1.3 Writing Definition




			

	
	

		
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		April 9, 2022 · 12:02 pm	


	
BIO
	

		
Hello everyone,


My name is Christine. I am a third-year nutrition science student planning to graduate in 2023. In particular, I am interested in healthcare-related work. My interest started with a bit of the story of my grandmother. My grandmother felt unwell, so she decided to purchase an unknown medication through the tv shopping channel without consulting with doctors or pharmacists that ended up going to the emergency in Taiwan. Since then, I realized the access toward the basic medical and nutrition information in Taiwan is relatively low. Therefore, I chose a nutrition major and further thought of applying to medical school or pharmacy school to use my knowledge to educate and help people like my grandmother.


To gain more experience related to healthcare, in 2017, I started volunteering in the senior care home for 2 years, which gave me a better picture of what the healthcare field looks like. Then, in 2020, I started my volunteer job in the red cross as a personal disaster assistance responder; simultaneously, I have been working part-time in the pharmacy as a pharmacy assistant for 1 year. I entered my first prescription, picked up the first phone call from a physician, and experienced the busy workflow during covid vaccination clinics in the pharmacy that I am currently working at. Over the past experience in the senior care home, NBO (red cross), and the shopper’s pharmacy, I feel to improve my technical communication skills to deliver a clear message, work efficiently, better communicate with professionals and patients. I believe “practice makes perfect.” ENGL 301 will allow me to practice some skills that will help me succeed in healthcare, my workplace.


			

	
	

		
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		January 24, 2022 · 10:51 pm	


	
Response to the Email Message from Perspective Writing Team Member #3
	

		
To: Dhara Bhatt


From: Christine Hsiao


Date: Jan 24th, 2022


Subject: RE: ENGL 301 Writing Team Invitation



Dear Dhara Bhatt,



Thank you for your time reviewing my application letter. I would love to accept your invitation to join your team and work with you all through this semester in ENGL 301.



Looking forward to hear from you and other team members.



Best,


Christine Hsiao

			

	
	

		
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		 · 2:18 pm	


	
Email Message to Perspective Writing Team Member #2
	

		
To: Hansol


From: Christine Hsiao


Date: Jan 24th, 2022


Subject: ENGL 301 Writing Team



Dear Hansol,



I hope this email finds you well.



I read through your letter of application and the message you left in the chat. So, I am writing this email to see if I can still join your team. I believe your skills in analyzing and previous experiences in professional writing would complement my credentials. Moreover, your learning philosophy has inspired me. I agree with you that doing something passionate will be more effective than just working hard.



I have attached my application letter below. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me and let me know.



Best,


Christine Hsiao


301 Christine Hsiao Application Letter

			

	
	

		
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		 · 1:38 pm	


	
Email Message to Perspective Writing Team Member #1
	

		
To: Kelly Kim


From: Christine Hsiao


Date: Feb 23rd, 2022


Subject: ENGL 301 Writing Team



Dear Kelly Kim,



I read through your application letter carefully. I found that we have similar parts like English is our second language, love to go to gym and personality-wise, we are both extraversion people. Additionally hearing from you that you have a previous degree in Rotman interested me since I have always wanted to start my own business besides doing health care. Overall, I find your skill and experiences would be complementary to my credential. I would like to take some time to invited you to join my team, I think we will be able to create a perfect environment for our studying in ENGL 301. I am very much looking forward to working with you. Attached is my letter of application, for your information if you wanna know my background and skills that might fit your team members’ credentials.



If you have any questions or anything you would like to talk about, please feel free to contact me.



Best regards,


Christine Hsiao




			

	
	

		
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		January 20, 2022 · 1:02 am	


	
Email Memo
	

		
Memorandum


To: Dr. Patterson, Professor of ENGL 301 99C


From: Christine Hsiao, Student in ENGL 301 99C


Date: Jan 19th, 2022


Subject: Completion & Summary Regarding the Application Letter



Dear Dr. Erika Patterson,



Hope this email finds you well. As you request, I am emailing to inform you that I have posted my application letter.



A brief summary of my application letter is provided below in bullet forms:


    

  • I mentioned the purpose of the letter:

      

    • I would like to join the team to work through this semester in ENGL 301
      • 

    

    • 

  • Work and Volunteer Experiences

      

    • Mentioned what I did during these experiences in the Senior Care Home & Pharmacy
      • 

    • some credentials are indicated here such as responsibility, organization skills, detail-oriented skills, communication skills, etc.
      • 

    

    • 

  • Strength and Weaknesses in terms of writing and work habits are provided in bullet forms in the application letter

      

    • Strength: organization and information gathering skills
      • 

    • weakness: proofreading and word choice
      • 

    

    • 

  • My learning Learning philosophy

      

    • “Practice makes perfect.”
      • 

    • attitude is perhaps more important than any other things
      • 

    

    • 



Please take a look at the Word doc. attached, consider your impressions of my application letter. If convenient, please let me know if there is anything that I could improve. Thank you very much for taking the time to read through the memo. I look forward to hearing from you.


Sincerely,


Christine Hsiao


Encl. 301 Christine Hsiao Application Letter










			

	
	

		
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		January 19, 2022 · 11:39 pm	


	
Application Letter
	

		
5920 Iona Dr.,


Vancouver, BC V6T 1J6



Jan 19th, 2022


ENGL 301 99C students


University of British Columbia


1873 E Mall #397,


Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1



Dear Classmate,



Please consider my application to join your team as a professional writing team member in ENGL 301 Technical Writing course during winter term 2 of 2022. I am currently a third-year Nutrition Science major student at UBC, planning to graduate in 2023. I believe I possess the necessary skills and experiences you seek and would make a valuable addition to the team.



During my previous volunteer experience at Hawthrone Senior Care Home, I organized special events every weekend. Additionally, I have worked in the shopper’s pharmacy as a pharmacy assistant for 1 year. I have processed 400 prescriptions a day, answered physicians’ phone calls, wrote internal memos/ emails, filled medications and prepared presentations to give work experience students a big picture of how the pharmacy work. These positions require attention to detail, responsibility, strong communication skills, organization skills, time management skills. I believe these experiences and skills have prepared me to become one of your professional writing team members.


Strength:


    

  • gathering information
    • 

  • organization
    • 



Weakness:


    

  • word-choice
    • 

  • proofreading
    • 




Furthermore, my learning philosophy is “practice makes perfect.” It is okay to not be perfect in the first place; perhaps having a good attitude is more important. If you still don’t have a group or are interested in working with me, please don’t hesitate to email me at lovepassionlife0618@gmail.com.



Best,


Christine Hsiao


301 Christine Hsiao Application Letter



			

	
	

		
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