I have the habit of using secondary research, instead of primary research when writing academic papers. This has been a hard habit to break. While I was writing my first draft of the formal report, I tried to be very conscious that I didn’t start writing a research paper instead. Creating primary research is much harder than finding relevant secondary research. Getting enough BCS students to fill out my surveys was challenging, but it was a good learning experience on reaching out to others.

My formal report outline was a good starting point for organizing my report, but as I started writing I realized I had to make changes to the outline. This is the first academic report I’ve written since I graduated from my first degree, so it took a little bit to get the hang of organizing a report again. I was happy to find that Hannah, my peer reviewer, was able to understand the flow of the report.

Peer reviewing Hannah’s report was interesting because we have similar writing style problems. Like Hannah, I often forget to use more of a “you” attitude. Reviewing Hannah’s report has reminded me to be more conscious and careful about my writing style. I was impressed with Hannah’s well thought out recommendations for change, and I hope to use her format to revise my own formal report.

Enclosed: FormalReport_MadeleineLeroux

LinkedIn Profile Reflection
I had created a LinkedIn profile after I graduated from my first degree. LinkedIn isn’t commonly used in the fashion industry, so I hadn’t updated it for years. In my new field of study, recruiters often use it as a tool for finding new hires. I was happy to be given the push to revise, edit and expand upon my profile page.

Editing my work experience felt similar to writing a resume, but I struggled with writing a professional summary. I ended up looking people I consider successful (both inside and outside my network), and found they all had shorter professional summaries. I decided to take that approach.

Formal Report Reflection
All the reports I’ve written previously were research reports, so it was easy to fall into old habits. I didn’t properly grasp the concept of a formal report, and at first submitted a proposal for something similar to a research proposal. While revising, I had difficulty thinking of a problem that I could relate to and was actionable. I looked through the course’s writing forum for inspiration and was envious of my classmate’s wide range of experience and ideas. It took quite a while to finally brainstorm an appropriate idea. Now, I feel like I am not as far along as I had hoped.

Peer Review Reflection
I never realized how often I switch tenses. Thanks to Harsha’s peer review I’ve been more conscious of this. Even while editing this reflection, I found paragraphs where I swapped tenses.

I learnt that I can’t give a proper peer review if I don’t grasp the project concept completely. While I was able to give Harsha recommendations in regards to grammar and typos, I felt like I should’ve focused more on the structure and the content of her proposal.

Sometimes, I worry while I write my peer reviews. We only ever communicate over email and messages, and as a result, it is difficult to convey emotion that is usually expressed with body language. I worry that my reviews come across as too blunt.

Harsha’s Review
ReportProposal_MadeleineLeroux

As soon as I started writing the expanded definition for “recursion”, I started to regret choosing the particular word. While it’s a commonly used word in computer science, it’s a term that can be hard to explain without practical experience. When I first learnt how to solve problems using recursion, it took a long time for the process to click. Like I mention in my definitions, a recursive problem is like a picture within a picture. It can be a bit of a trippy situation.

However, I’ve always felt that I can understand something better if I am able to explain the topic to someone else. I believe that the process of writing a definition for recursion that is beginner-friendly has helped cement my understanding of the topic. When Harsha said she was able to understand the definition I was very happy!  I also understand why she still had confusion regarding my second example of recursion involving Fibonacci’s sequence.

Fibonacci’s sequence is so commonly used in computer science teachings that I forgot that it isn’t  common knowledge. With Harsha’s help I started to take a step back from the definition and kept asking myself “Would I understand this without any computer science education?”. When you’re surrounded by people with the same knowledge as you, it’s very easy to forget that not everyone knows the same thing.

I hope with the edits and further elaboration on the topic make the expanded definition even easier to understand.

Attached below are a word document of my definitions, and a link to Harsha’s review of my expanded definition.

Harsha’s Peer Review

Three-Definitions-Madeleine-Leroux

To: Harsha
From: Madeleine
Subject: Writing Team Application Response

Dear Harsha,

I am writing in response to your application for a position in my writing team. After reading your application I believe that we have complementary skills and beliefs. Like you, I love to learn and grow. I also admire the work and effort you’ve put towards mastering your fourth(!) language.

You’ve worked on your writing skills by practicing them. I also learn best by practicing a skill until I’m competent in it. While I haven’t written academically for a few years, I believe my strong time management skills and forward thinking will accommodate for this. I’m consistent and reliable, and believe I’m a great candidate to be a member of your team.

I’ve attached my application letter below, and hope to hear from you soon.

Take care,

Madeleine

________________

To: Hannah
From: Madeleine
Subject: Writing Team Application Response

Dear Hannah,

I am writing in response to your application for a position in my writing team. After reading your application I believe that we have complementary skills and beliefs.

For example, I also like to learn everything I can from a course. My favourite thing is to later apply the new knowledge to my everyday and professional life.

As I mentioned in my own application letter, I haven’t written academically (or professionally) in a while. However, you have experience writing professionally during you co-op at the women’s and children’s law center. In return, I can help you with your time management skills. During my career in fashion, managing time was essential. If you fell behind on one project, it became a domino effect. I’ve learnt from that experience and have honed effective time management skills.

I’ve attached my application letter below, and hope to hear from you soon.

Take care,

Madeleine

________________

To: Jasmin
From: Madeleine
Subject: Writing Team Application Response

Dear Jasmin,

I am writing in response to your application for a position in my writing team. After reading your application I believe that we have complementary skills and beliefs. Like you, I’ve learnt attention to detail and consistency through my work experience. I now strongly value these traits, and would be glad to see them in a fellow teammate.

You also mention that your perfectionism can sometimes cause tasks to take longer than they need to be. I worked in the fashion industry, where everything is fast paced. From that experience I learnt quick decision-making, time management skills, and how to prioritize tasks and details. I believe that my experiences and skills will help complement yours. We could make a great team.

I’ve attached my application letter below, and hope to hear from you soon.

Take care,

Madeleine

1300 Elmwood Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6J 3G3

January 5, 2019

English 301 Students
University of British Columbia
2329 West Mall
Vancouver BC V6T 1Z4

Dear English 301 classmates:

Please consider my application for a position in your professional writing team, as advertised on the English 301 course website. I’m currently studying Computer Science at the University of British Columbia and expect to graduate in 2020. This will be my second Bachelor’s degree. My previous degree was a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), with a major in Fashion and Textiles.

I graduated from my previous university, the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, in 2015 and worked for three years in the fashion industry. In fashion, you’re always working with the future in mind. Designers are expected to release up to eight different clothing collections per year, each at a preordained time period. However, the collections released will not enter stores until nearly a year has passed. For example, a label would release a collection of summer clothes intended for 2020 in September 2019. Working in the industry, I’ve learnt the importance of forward thinking, and time management. 

However, since I was out of school for a few year my academic writing and editing skills are a little rusty. I plan to work on this weakness by reading academic papers, and by practice. I best learn through practice, experience, and by learning how the skill can be applied to everyday life.

If my background fits your needs, please email me at madeleinemleroux@gmail.com. I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Madeleine Leroux