Formal Report Draft

Researching, writing and organizing the formal report draft was a process that required a lot of time and effort, but will hopefully have rewards when the final report is presented to the intended audience.

When researching I hoped to include information that was informative and helped to identify and analyze the problem in a constructive way that will eventually lead to the desired change. I chose to send surveys to those who would be effected by the implementation of new dental hygiene instruments. Unfortunately, this leads to a weakness in my report with few people being surveyed. I chose to proceed despite this weakness, as those surveyed are the ones who will be using the new instruments, and instrument use is a personal and subjective preference. I also used interviews with company representatives in order to attain objective data that could be used to compare different supplies. This allowed me to compare instrument types and costs that could easily be analyzed in order to determine an appropriate workable and affordable solution for the practice.

Writing required thoughtful consideration of how to best present my report to the intended audience and ensure that the information was relevant and in an appropriate professional language and tone. I found that this came with relative ease as it is something that I maintain with the practice owner on a daily basis. I ensured that my writing reflected the professional and respectful tone that we use within the workplace.

While organizing my report, I found it helpful to review other examples of formal reports, both in the textbook and on those posted on the instructor’s blog. Although my report required its own unique organization in order to present the information in a clear and effective way, it was incredibly useful to see examples from other formal reports. This allowed me to see what could work, and what would not work well for my own report. I chose to present the objective data first, followed by the subjective data. My intention was to present the strongest information in the beginning in order to capture my audience’s attention. If I am able to achieve this, I feel that my formal report will be able to successfully achieve the desired practice change that I believe is required.

Peer Review

The peer review process was, again, insightful and allowed me to consider my own formal report draft in the process. During the peer review I was able to objectively see some mistakes that I also made, which allowed me to help correct my peer, as well as my own report. I had to review the use of correct MLA citations in order to give feedback to my peer, and in the process discovered that I had also incorrectly used the format. I also found strengths when reviewing my peer, such as a strong “You Attitude” being used. This made me realize that I had not always used this writing technique throughout my paper and needed to make corrections. The peer review process allowed me to assist in the writing of my peer’s report, hopefully making it stronger and more effective when it is presented to the intended audience. I hope that my feedback was useful to my peer, as it was useful for me when considering my own report.

Please find my draft formal report here.

I was hesitant to create a LinkedIn profile. Social media is a platform that I typically avoid – I did not even have a Facebook account until I started this class! I feel that social media should be used wisely and with certain precautions. However, I do see the benefits of having a social media presence. Instead of networking with professionals within my geographical area, I can connect with others from across the country, and even around the world. I enjoyed putting together my profile and highlighting my professional, educational and volunteer experience. The profile you are able to create is even better than a resume. I like how I was able to add all of my professional goals and objectives and really sell myself as a professional. I hope to be able to connect with other like-minded professionals through this social media account.

Although my formal report is something that I have been wanting to do within my workplace for a long time, I did find it difficult to brainstorm a professional proposal and outline. It is one thing to want change to happen, and another to make it happen. I want my report to reflect the needs of the dental hygienists; and to help them work more effectively and easily. This will lead to practice benefits and increased production for the owner, as well. I feel that I have laid out appropriate questions that will help me to accomplish change within my dental practice in a professional and evidence-based manner. The formal report still seems a bit overwhelming, however, once the interviews and surveys are completed I should have enough information to create an informative and enlightening report that can be presented to the practice owner and influence change.

The peer review process continues to assist me in building better writing skills. By reviewing others’ work I am able to focus on the writing, formatting and tone of the paper, instead of being principally focused on the facts and information that I am trying to convey. The information is obviously extremely important, but the manner in which the information is presented so that your audience understands is of vital importance.

I appreciate all of the feedback from my reviewer. She sees my writing from another perspective that I do not have and is able to give valuable suggestions to improve my work.

Revised Report proposal Rebecca Coleman June 25

http://engl301.arts.ubc.ca/2017/06/09/peer-review-of-research-proposal-3/

When writing the definition assignment, I chose a technical word that I use in daily practice with both colleagues and patients – “periodontitis”. This condition is something that I explain to patients on a daily basis. However, I find it helpful when having a verbal conversation, that the person with whom I am speaking to can ask for clarification if I am not being clear in my description. Writing without immediate feedback is more difficult, because you have to put yourself in the general populations’ point of view and level of understanding.  I wanted my definitions to be clear and concise, but not to have a patronizing tone. It is hard when you are unaware of the readers’ background knowledge on a topic and level of education. I tried to give my definitions balance in order to be understandable to the average adult reader.

I found the peer review process to be difficult. I re-read my peers’ assignment over and over again trying to think of critical and constructive comments that would be of benefit to her writing. I am not used to reading someone else’s writing with a critical eye. Most of my experience has been in adjusting grammar or small writing mistakes. Having guidelines from the text, as well as the handout were helpful to me when reviewing my peers’ assignment, as I was not sure what I should be giving feedback on. Knowing to review initial comprehension, audience, organization, use of jargon, and effective or ineffective elements of the writing, allowed me to help my peer by giving feedback of the necessary elements in writing the definition assignment. Any other peer reviews will benefit from having a template to help guide me (the reviewer) as to what is important in the editing process, and what comments would be most beneficial to the writer and future readers of the piece.

I greatly appreciated the critical feedback from my peer evaluation. Having both positive and negative feedback allowed me to not think too negatively that I had been completely wrong in my writing, but that I had completed some portions correctly and other portions needed to be modified. I found my peers suggestions to be very helpful, including how I can make my visual appear better to my reader with a larger size and by having a small description to further explain it. She also pointed out that I had used jargon in my writing, that I did not realize. When you are used to speaking in technical terms, sometimes you forget that the terms you use within your profession are not the terms that are used with the general population. I did not recognize that I had used incorrect citations within my writing, I had combined two different formats without realizing it – this would look extremely poor if it had been published in its incorrect state. It was very helpful to have a critical eye point out the corrections that needed to be made. Please find a copy of my corrected definitions assignment below.

Rebecca Coleman ENG 1.3 Corrected

From: bec.stacey@gmail.com

To:  jcurrie28@live.ca

Cc: Erika.paterson@ubc.ca

Subject: Invitation to form a professional writing team

Date: May 26^th, 2017 09:04

Dear Jasmine Sookero,

After reviewing your writing team member application, I believe that we will be an excellent fit in a hardworking team. I would be thrilled if you joined our group.

As we are both mature students, I believe that we possess strengths that we have gained from working in professional careers, before undertaking our studies with the University of British Columbia. Your high level of experience in creating newsletters and press releases, as well as, writing, transcribing, editing and proofreading newspaper articles will be a great asset to our team. It would be a pleasure to work with a reliable and punctual individual who has a strong initiative. I have confidence that we will work well together and learn a great deal from this class to improve our business and technical writing skills as a well-balanced and ambitious team.

Please find my application letter attached, for you to review. I can be reached through email at bec.stacey@gmail.com, or through phone/text at 613.222.8314. I look forward to hearing from you,

Sincerely,

Rebecca Coleman

301 Rebecca Coleman Application Letter

From: bec.stacey@gmail.com

To:  sabrinaechegaray@hotmail.com

Cc: Erika.paterson@ubc.ca

Subject: Invitation to form a professional writing team

Date: May 26^th, 2017 09:04

Dear Sabrina Echegaray,

After reviewing your writing team member application, I have confidence that we will be an excellent fit in a hardworking team. I would be thrilled if you joined our group.

I believe that we will be well balanced as I like to complete tasks ahead of schedule, and you work well under the pressure of a strict deadline. We are both coming to the end of our studies and are seasoned university students who have had experience working in groups, and writing academic papers. As someone who is proactive and has an attention to detail, you will make a strong member of the team. Your experience as co-president of the Young Variety club has given you a strong background in business writing and presentations. I have confidence that we will work well together and learn a great deal from this class to improve our business and technical writing skills as a well-balanced and ambitious team.

Please find my application letter attached, for you to review. I can be reached through email at bec.stacey@gmail.com, or through phone/text at 613.222.8314. I look forward to hearing from you,

Sincerely,

Rebecca Coleman

301 Rebecca Coleman Application Letter

From: bec.stacey@gmail.com

To:  jrd27@live.com

Cc: Erika.paterson@ubc.ca

Subject: Invitation to form a professional writing team

Date: May 26^th, 2017 09:04

Dear Josy Jonas,

After reviewing your writing team member application, I have confidence that we will be an excellent fit in a hardworking team. I would be thrilled if you joined our group.

We are both college graduates whom have been working clinically for some time as registered dental hygienists (RDH).  I know that you are ambitious in working towards your degree, while still working clinically on a full-time basis. It is clear that you will be determined, and hard working with a great attention to detail. I understand the qualities needed in order to work as a RDH, and I have confidence that we will work well together and learn a great deal from this class to improve our business and technical writing skills as a well-balanced and ambitious team.

Please find my application letter attached, for you to review. I can be reached through email at bec.stacey@gmail.com, or through phone/text at 613.222.8314. I look forward to hearing from you,

Sincerely,

Rebecca Coleman

301 Rebecca Coleman Application Letter

To: Professor Erika Paterson
From: Rebecca Coleman, 301 Technical Writing student RC
Date: May 22, 2017
Subject: Application Letter

My application letter has been posted in response to the technical writing team posting. It includes the following information:
• Professional experience as a veterinary assistant and registered dental hygienist
• Educational experience receiving a diploma with honours in dental hygiene and current studies as a part-time UBC student
• Strengths: previous blog writing experience, working collaboratively in other courses using technological resources
• Weaknesses: different time zone and long hours at full-time job can occasionally present challenges
• Learning philosophy: hard work, organization and a positive attitude are essential to learning success

Copies: English 301 Facebook Page
Ubc.blogs.ca/rebeccasblog

301 Rebecca Coleman Application Letter

19 Gaslight Way
Russell, Ont K4R 0A7

May 22, 2017

301 Technical Writing Class
Summer students
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4

Dear English 301 students:

Please consider my application as a professional writing team member for the duration of our summer technical writing class, as advertised in September, 2014 via the English 301 Arts website. I will graduate from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in the spring of 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. Professor Erika Paterson, my technical writing instructor, encouraged me to apply for a position as a team member with three other English 301 students.

I graduated with honours from the Canadian National Institute of Health in 2010. Previously, I worked as a veterinary assistant in a busy 24-hour emergency clinic. I am currently furthering my education by doing part-time studies with UBC since September, 2014. Throughout my studies I have been able to balance school requirements, a professional full time clinical career, as well as my personal and family life. I have been an enthusiastic and active member of many teams from other courses, working collaboratively on projects through technological resources such as: Google Docs, email, text and the UBC wiki page. My previous experience of blogging while working as a part of a Health Canada dental team in Canada’s remote Arctic communities, will be an asset to any writing team.

As I am located in Ottawa and work 12 hour days, 3 days a week, I am not as readily available for coursework Monday through Wednesday. The time change can also be a challenge while working with students in BC, however, I have always managed with my other teams.

I have been recognized for my ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with colleagues and other classmates. I enjoy university studies and working collaboratively with other hardworking teammates. My learning philosophy is that hard work, being organized and having a positive attitude will make any class a valuable learning experience.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and I am confident that my academic and professional experiences make me a strong candidate for your technical writing team and I look forward to hearing from you. Please contact me, anytime, through email at bec.stacey@gmail.com, or by the English 301 Facebook page.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Coleman, RDH

301 Rebecca Coleman Application Letter