The first unit aimed to introduce us to the course as well as our team members. I learned about definitions and interestingly about the proper way of conducting a peer review, a professional process that will continue with us later in the course and in academic life. 

Reflection on original writing:

For this assignment, choosing a technical term and define it using the three methods of definition, I have gained more knowledge of the process of defining or explaining such terms to the reader. It made me appreciate how dictionaries and encyclopedias lay out the information. Choosing a term that is used in my profession, I found it rewarding to be given the chance to explain “Dental Debridement” as many people refer to it as simple dental cleaning. Generating a parenthetical simple definition as well as a sentence one, was not as challenging as the expanded process. At first, I thought that I can incorporate all types of expansion, however, when delving more into the information, this was not an easy task. Therefore, the knowledge we learnt from this lesson is to be focused and concise in choosing the information and organize it when trying to explain a term to the unfamiliar reader.

Reflection on peer review process:

We had to share our definitions with a team partner and provide peer review for each other. Gabriella Meroli Assad and I provided constructive recommendations and pointed out some needed improvement to polish our work. I am very thankful to the opportunity, having a fresh point of view to one’s opinion or work motivates us to excel and look for more knowledge that might’ve been missed. Gabriella pointed out the needed improvement and provided guidance on how to follow up as well as based ground to her recommendations, this was displayed in a very professional manner and polite tone. For her definitions, I was able to recognize the strengths and give some feedback. This process not only teaches us the technicality of peer review, but also equip us with the skill of listening to other’s opinion and learn from it.

Reflection on the editing process:

The final step was to take the peer review and self-edit our work. I found Gabriella’s input very helpful as I realized the parts I have missed or the others that I could polish and improve. I have also missed on the referencing style and the active tone in some of my sentences, I’m very grateful to have a partner that was keen on providing an organized critique and commentary in the best interest of my definitions. In all honesty, the fun part was going back to the information gained about the term and trying to refine it and enhance the final version, this reinforced the knowledge gained at the first step and perfected it in many ways. I hope Gabriella found my feedback helpful and enjoyed the process as did I.

Future Goal:

Will employ the skills gained in the peer review process in my future technical communications.

The edited definition:

Engl 301 term definition – Edited

The peer review:

https://blogs.ubc.ca/engl301-98a-2021sa/2021/06/04/301-peer-review-assignment-13/