Monthly Archives: January 2016

This unit has helped me refresh my writing skills. I have not taken an English course for several years and I was able to put some much needed focus on my style and mechanics. The introduction, definitions and peer review were all great practice. It was challenging to write with a high level of professionalism, but I already feel my writing is more comfortable and fluid. However, it is a slow process to develop good writing habits and I have a lot to learn.

I found the peer review especially challenging to write. Thomas’s document was well put together and I struggled to find any fault in it. I am also not naturally inclined to be a critic. I did find the feedback given during this unit quite helpful. I need to work on succinctness in my style. I recognize that my writing can have too many words and I am working on condensing it, while still communicating the same amount of information. I also need to continue to work on my grammar. Scrupulous self-editing is a large part of that and something I need to focus on more.

My writing team has a lot of experience. This is fortunate for me as their reviews of my work will be very helpful. For example, Thomas commented that I used a lot of appositives in my definitions. Correcting this not only helped my writing be more succinct, but it also gave more diversity to my style. Tips like this will help me appear more professional, hold my audience’s attention longer and make my writing more interesting.

Feedback from the instructor also proved quite valuable. Specifically, Erika suggested I not finish a sentence with a two letter word. Once I re-edited the writing in my blog, I found several occasions where I had done this. Re-writing those sentences instantly gave them a more sophisticated and professional feel.

I look forward to further developing my writing in the subsequent units. If they prove as useful as this one, I will be a much more competent writer by the end of the course.

Edited definitions

1.3 defintions

Hyperlink to peer review

Peer Review of Stratigraphic Log Definition

January 11^th 2016

UBC, Faculty of Science

Vancouver BC

Students of ENGL 301

UBC, Faculty of Arts

Vancouver BC

Dear Fellow ENGL 301 students

Please consider my application for a position on your writing team for ENGL 301. I am an undergrad student in the faculty of science at UBC. I have completed two previous English courses, ENG 100 and ENG 104, at the University of Capilano and have written many literary reviews and lab reports, in other courses. For GEOG 319, I wrote a review of an Environmental Impact Assessment for and independent power project. This involved carefully reading the 80 page technical document, that contained details on the ecological impact of the dam, and critiquing its short comings.

As a mature student and someone who has spent over a decade in the workforce, I have developed a good work ethic and have learned to manage my time appropriately. I know how relate to others in a professional manner and work in a team setting. These relational skills have improved my efficacy in anything I apply myself to and make me an asset to any writing team. I understand the dependence that team members have on their co-workers, and the responsibility to meet deadlines.

Although I may not have had the chance to develop my writing skills as much as an arts student, I have had a lot of practice in digesting technical data and communicating it in an effective matter. My strength lays in having a big picture focus and creating clarity in my communications. I know how to develop and idea in a meaningful, yet concise, manner.

In this course, I hope to improve my writing mechanics and to become a practiced and efficient writer. I would like to one day work as an environmental consultant, in which technical writing is a crucial aspect, which is why I will strive hard to contribute my best work to this course.

If you think I would make a good contribution to your writing team, please contact me at. Jacob.w.bauer@gmail.com

Sincerely,

Jake Bauer

Application Letter