Formal Report Research

I found the process of conducting research to be extremely interesting. The subject of my formal report is a topic that I am passionate about, therefore, conducting research did not seem like a task or a job. It was gratifying to discover new information and conclusions that I was not familiar with beforehand, and this pushed me to continue to find new information. Creating a survey to be completed by students at UBCO was a new experience for me, and now it is something that I may use in the future because I found it to be extremely helpful and easier than I thought it would be.

Formal Report Organizing and Writing

The organization process of the formal report was the most rewarding part of this assignment. I enjoyed being able to slowly see the process of my formal report being created and all of the information I found being cohesively integrated. The outline of a formal report from the textbook was really helpful in starting the organization process. Once the information was laid out, it became easier for me to discover how I wanted to portray my thoughts and ideas, however, I found myself struggling with being concise while still giving the reader enough information.

Peer Reviewing Formal Report Draft

I am always learning something new from completing the peer review process. I found it interesting to see how Vanessa organized her report, because this allowed me to reflect back on my own work and think about how I could learn from her work. I am confident that the feedback I received will help me move forward in the formal report process and improve the work that I have already completed. Vanessa’s feedback was extremely helpful in the sense that she gave me tips on how to improve the flow of my report, which is something that I find myself struggling with.

Creating a LinkedIn Profile

Creating a LinkedIn profile was something I had never attempted before. I think having a LinkedIn profile is a great way to make connections with possible future employers or employees that you wouldn’t normally have the chance to connect with. Social media is a great platform to reach new people, and LinkedIn makes it easy to update your information as well as choose which information you want to include that is the most relevant to the field you desire to work in. Completing research on Best Practices for Professional Networking on LinkedIn was helpful in knowing what steps to take to create the most professional profile. I hope to continue using LinkedIn as a way to build connections in the field that I wish to pursue.

Report Proposal and Outline

In the process of creating a report proposal, I found the most difficult part of it to be coming up with an idea that was interesting, yet feasible. The reason I chose my topic of introducing a happiness program at UBCO residence is because mental health is something that I strongly believe in. Once I began to think of topics that interest me and that I am passionate about, I found it easier to come up with an idea that I felt confident in. Since I have created a schedule for myself, I believe that it will be possible to complete my research along with my formal report in a timely manner. I am looking forward to seeing my formal report come together.

Peer Review Process

I enjoyed the process of peer reviewing because I am interested in seeing the writing style of my peers, as well as getting feedback on how to improve my writing style. Throughout this process I have learned that I need to include more details instead of giving a general description. I have also learned that in order to be clearly understood my multiples audiences, I need to try and take an outsiders look at my own work. I find it interesting to view my peer’s assignment because we all come up with original ways to complete the assignments, which gives each us opportunities to learn from each other, which I believe is the whole point of peer reviewing and having a writing team.

Revised Report Proposal: 301, Laura Di Pietro, Revised Research Proposal

Vanessa’s Peer Review of my Research Proposal:  https://blogs.ubc.ca/engl301-99a/2018/10/17/peer-review-of-lauras-research-proposal/

While completing the definitions of my term positron emission tomography (PET), I took many steps to ensure my work would be comprehensible to all levels of education, including someone who does not have the same educational background as myself. In my expanded definition section, I included all aspects of a PET scan, including what it is, how it works, why it is used, its similarities and differences to other tests, as well as any possible risks. The reason I included all of this information is because these are the types of answers I would like to know if I was learning about an unfamiliar term or topic.

I enjoyed the process of peer-reviewing and self-editing because it not only allowed you to edit your own work to improve it, but it also allowed you to review someone else’s work and learn other writing techniques, as well as mistakes that can be made. While reviewing my peer’s definition, I found that I was having a difficult time being critical of her work. My peer seemed to have a very clear idea of how to write to targeted audiences, as well as how to modify the level of detail given in each definition. I believe the peer-reviewing process is important to become familiar with because it gives both the writer and the reviewer a chance to think critically about their work.

Throughout reading my peer’s recommendations on how I can improve my work, I became aware that I was not completely thinking about my audience throughout the entire assignment. I had included some jargons which would not necessarily be familiar to someone of a different educational background. Another point that was made in my peer’s review of my assignment was that I could have further broken up the paragraphs in my extended definition to make it more concise and straight forward.

From this entire process, I have learnt that I need to remind myself throughout the entire piece of writing who my audience is and what their level of understanding is regarding the topic. I have also learnt not to feel bad giving constructive criticism to others because it will not only help them improve, but it will also help myself improve. Below, I have attached a rewritten copy of my definition of a PET scan, as well as my peer’s review of my original definition.

Rewritten Definition Assignment

https://blogs.ubc.ca/engl301-99a/2018/10/01/peer-review-of-laura-di-petros-pet-scan-definitions/

To: justin.man97@gmail.com

From: lauradp998@gmail.com

Date: September 20, 2018

Subject: ENGL 301 Prospective Writing Team Member

Dear Justin,

I am writing to you to as I am interested in working with you to form a writing team. After reading your application, it is clear that you are hard-working and willing to help your writing team succeed this semester. Your past and current experience in various writing fields has impressed me and I believe we would work well together and that our strengths would benefit each other.

Attached is my letter of application. Thank you for considering me to be a part of your writing team.

Sincerely,

Laura Di Pietro

301 Laura DiPietro Application Letter

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

To: ness.niedzielski@gmail.com

From: lauradp998@gmail.com

Date: September 20, 2018

Subject: ENGL 301 Prospective Writing Team Member

Dear Vanessa,

I am writing to you to as I am interested in working with you to form a writing team. I am impressed with your experience in professional writing, both through your business, as well as in your academic studies. We share similar weaknesses with regards to analysis of works, but I believe that by working in a writing team together we can learn and improve by helping each other. We both believe in similar learning philosophies and I trust that we would excel in a writing team.

Attached is my letter of application. Thank you for considering me to be a part of your writing team.

Sincerely,

Laura Di Pietro

301 Laura DiPietro Application Letter

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

To: grace.k.young@gmail.com

From: lauradp998@gmail.com

Date: September 20, 2018

Subject: ENGL 301 Prospective Writing Team Member

Dear Grace,

I am writing to you to as I am interested in working with you to form a writing team. After reading your application letter, I came across many points that you made which we have in common. I believe that with both of our hardworking nature, organizational and time management skills, and enthusiasm, we can excel in a writing team. Your background and experience in professional writing is impressive and I believe it can benefit our group as a whole.

Attached is my letter of application. Thank you for considering me to be a part of your writing team.

Sincerely,

Laura Di Pietro

301 Laura DiPietro Application Letter

To: Erika Paterson, ENGL 301 Instructor

From: Laura Di Pietro, ENGL 301 Student

Date: September 20, 2018

Subject: Letter of Application

I am emailing to inform you that I have posted my letter of application for a writing team on my UBC Blog for the course English 301. Below, you will find a brief summary of my letter of application, as well as an attached document of the full letter.

My letter of application includes the following points:

• My interest in working with my classmates in a writing team
• A summary of my educational interests
• My strengths and weaknesses in writing and communication
• My learning philosophy

Please contact me if you require further information.

301 Laura DiPietro Application Letter