The second unit of Technical Writing 301 tasked students with researching how to create a networking platform through the LinkedIn website. Students also began working on formal reports which will be handed in at the end of the term. I am already very familiar with LinkedIn but this exercise had us look up the best practices of creating a profile on the website. This was enriching for me as I was then able to take these practices and utilize them on my own professional networking profile. In this digital age there is an overwhelming amount of information at our disposal, but by practicing obtaining truly helpful information I am sharpening my critical thinking and communication skills.
I am a bit apprehensive about how my formal report will come together in the end. Upon reading the instructions for the report proposal, I knew I wanted to work on something that I feel would improve not only my life, but also those of my colleagues. My employer supports green initiatives, so I believe that my proposal is appropriate, yet I still find it intimidating to approach a superior with a request for change. That’s also why I included a question on my survey regarding the participant’s willingness to advocate for change. It is one thing to describe the need for change, but completely another to take the necessary steps towards change. This is my first experience building a research report from the ground up and I hope that I am able to create graphics from my survey questions as I planned.
I found this unit more challenging than unit one, but it has allowed me to identify weak points in my work. I struggle to write to my peer in a professional tone that is direct and to the point, but not too vague. First, I worked on avoiding the use of pronouns in my work. I thought I had found a loophole by writing about “the reader/the author” but have learned that these are still pronouns. I understand that I am not critiquing the author, but rather their work. More recently, I attempted to avoid making these mistakes but was much too brief in my suggestion to my peer. I revised my own proposal following my peer Zoe’s suggestions and described in better detail what dental materials I’m referring to, and what alternatives can be taken. As I gained such valuable insight from my peer’s review of my work, I see how valuable my thoughts can be for them. I’m learning how to separate personable tone from professional tone. I have no doubt that this course is teaching me valuable written communication skills.
Revised Proposal for Improving Green Initiatives at The Tooth Gallery Dental Office