Summary
This page includes the five following reflections on my ENGL 301 coursework, including my strengths and weaknesses. The blogs are presented sequentially to demonstrate my progress as a technical writer. The assignments referenced in the reflections can be found on the Assignments page.
1. Unit One Reflection Blog
Technical Definition Assignment
1.1. Overview
The first unit of ENGL 301 focused on writing for different audiences. It emphasized the importance of tone, language, and the amount of detail. The definition assignment required students to define a technical term used in their industry for a non-technical audience. It required three different types of definitions with varying amounts of detail, including parenthetical, sentence, and expanded definitions. The definition assignment also included a peer review and a revision process. These parts of the assignment helped students identify their mistakes and learn from them. The following sections elaborate on each stage of this assignment.
1.2. Technical Definition First Draft
The technical term I chose for this assignment was a concept used in structural engineering called the degree of freedom of a structure. The degree of freedom is a fundamental concept of structural analysis and is introduced to students early in their studies. Although this concept is elementary in engineering, it was hard to define for a non-technical audience. To explain the degree of freedom effectively other concepts must be introduced first. I struggled to avoid jargon while keeping the definitions concise and organized. Although it was challenging, defining the degree of freedom of a structure for a non-technical audience helped me understand the concept more.
The first draft of the assignment consisted of three different styles of definition. The definition types used were a parenthetical, sentence, and expanded, which vary in length and detail. Defining one term using the three different styles solidified my understanding of their characteristics and the methods of expanding definitions. Moreover, it helped me grasp the importance of using the correct definition style for a specific context or audience. Overall, writing the first draft of the definition assignment was an excellent way to learn about the importance of changes in tone, language, and amount of detail.
1.3. Peer Review Process
The peer review was a valuable part of the definition assignment. There were sample questions to guide students and encourage them to consider details they may not have. Writing a peer review for my teammate, Jeemin Kim, was extremely helpful in improving my understanding of the assignment. Reading their work emphasized the importance of not using jargon in definitions and documents intended for non-technical readers. In addition, it was an excellent opportunity to learn from what Jeemin did well. Finally, it gave me a chance to see things from the perspective of a non-technical reader since I was unfamiliar with the term they defined. The peer-review process furthered my understanding of the definition types and their distinguishing features.
1.4. Revision Process
The revision process was an excellent opportunity to learn from the mistakes made in the first draft. Jeemin pointed out errors that went unnoticed during self-editing. The biggest mistake in the first draft of the definition was the lack of introduction and reading situation. As Jeemin pointed out, the lack of context made the definitions unclear. In addition, the peer review mentioned the use of technical terms in the expanded definition. This constructive criticism taught me the importance of carefully considering all terms used in a definition or document intended for a non-technical reader. After reading the peer review, I added an introduction and reading situation to reduce ambiguity. In addition, I revised the expanded definition to clarify or remove all jargon. The revision process was the most helpful part of this assignment. It emphasized the importance of using the correct language and amount of detail when writing for a non-technical audience.
1.5. Links
2. Unit Two Reflection Blog
LinkedIn Memo and Formal Report Proposal/Outline/Progress
2.1. Overview
The second unit of ENGL 301 explored formal report preparation, peer reviews, and networking using social media. The first assignment was a Formal Report proposal addressed to the ENGL 301 professor, Dr. Erika Paterson. The proposal introduced the problem to be addressed, its significance, and potential solutions. Furthermore, it detailed the analysis type, research methods, audience, and scope. After submitting the Formal Report proposal, students reviewed the work of their peers. In the next assignment, students leant about best practices for professional networking online by writing a brief memo with ten best practices for using LinkedIn. Unit two concluded with the submission of a memorandum addressed to Dr. Paterson detailing the students’ progress on the Formal Report, including an outline, research plan, and writing schedule.
2.2. Formal Report Proposal
a. Proposal
For assignment 2:1, students were required to submit a research proposal for the Formal Report. To complete the assignment, they brainstormed problems they have encountered in a public setting and assessed their impacts. Once selecting a problem, they had to propose methods of analyzing it and recommend solutions.
My involvement with the sustainability-focused student group Innovate, Design, Sustain (IDS) at the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) helped focus the brainstorming process. As the co-leader of the IDS Campus Waste Initiatives team for the Winter 2022 Semester, I am knowledgeable about waste management on campus. Thus, it was a natural decision to choose ‘Improving the Understanding of Waste Sorting at the University of British Columbia Okanagan’ as the topic for my Formal Report. The UBCO campus experiences a significant amount of contamination in diversion waste streams, which can be in part attributed to a lack of awareness. The proposal established the methods for assessing the problem and analyzing the feasibility and efficacy of potential solutions. I look forward to analyzing the causes of and solutions to the lack of understanding of proper waste sorting practices at UBCO in the Formal Report.
b. Peer Review Process
The peer review was an excellent opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of writing proposals for formal reports. During the peer-review process, students assessed the strengths and weaknesses of a teammate’s proposal giving them insight on how to improve their writing. Reviewing Jeemin Kim’s proposal helped me to reflect on the importance of tone and language. Jeemin’s proposal had a fascinating topic and a professional tone. However, parts of the document lacked persuasive language, understating the problem’s significance and the merit of the solution. I frequently struggle with incorporating persuasive language in my writing. Thus, it was beneficial to see its importance from another perspective. The peer-review process clarified the importance of using a professional tone and incorporating persuasive language when writing a proposal.
c. Revision Process
The feedback given in the peer review by Jeemin helped me identify strengths, errors, and omissions that were missed in the self-editing process. Jeemin commended the organization, tone, and language used. However, they noted the lack of clarity in identifying the audience and their authority to act on the Formal Report recommendations. I have revised the proposal to clearly indicate the audience of the Formal Report as the Campus Waste Initiatives (CWI) team of the student organization Innovate, Design, Sustain. The CWI team works closely with the UBCO Facilities Management department to implement waste management improvements on campus. Therefore, they can use the recommendations in the formal report to inform their current and future projects to improve the understanding of waste sorting on campus. In addition, Jeemin recommended adding details to the ‘My Qualifications’ section of the proposal to clarify why my background as a civil engineering student is beneficial to the analysis. This feedback reminded me of the importance of writing for an audience. I have edited this section of the proposal to be more clear for readers who do not have an engineering background by eliminating jargon. Finally, the peer review pointed out some minor spelling, grammar, and wording errors. The errors identified are typical in my writing and are a reminder to be more diligent in future assignments. Overall, the feedback from Jeemin identified the strengths and weaknesses of the Formal Report Proposal, helping me to improve the document and future works.
2.3. LinkedIn Memorandum
LinkedIn is a social media platform that helps professionals connect with people in their field. To successfully network using LinkedIn you must be confident, polite, and create an eye-catching profile. Professional networking is crucial at the start of a career; however, many students struggle with it, me included. This assignment was an excellent chance for students to research how to use LinkedIn effectively and share their findings with their writing team. To write the memorandum, students had to identify the best practices for professional networking and communication on social media. After completing this assignment, I feel more confident using LinkedIn for professional networking and to connect with people in my industry. I incorporated my findings and the suggestions of my peers in my profile and will review them before future job searches to maximize my efforts.
2.4. Formal Report Outline and Progress
a. Outline
The Formal Report Outline is a short document, and the example provided in the course textbook was convenient and easy to understand. Writing the outline helped me plan the content and format of the report. Furthermore, it clarified the areas that are the most important and those that require additional work. Overall, the outline is an excellent starting point for the Formal Report Draft due in late July.
b. Progress Report
One of the final assignments of Unit Two was a memorandum detailing the Formal Report progress. The submission included a research plan, survey draft, and a writing schedule. Writing these documents helped me reflect on the outstanding tasks for the Formal Report and create a plan to complete them. The comprehensive Progress Report instructions on the course website and the example on the Instructor’s Blog made the writing process straightforward.
I have made good progress on the formal report thus far, and have done the following:
- Completed the informational Interview and reviewed the responses collected.
- Identified and reviewed the waste contamination standards and regulations that UBCO must follow.
- Found relevant case studies and journal papers for the literature review.
- Created an outline and began compiling the information for the sections of the report.
- Finalized the survey for UBCO students and received approval from the course instructor.
To meet the deadlines outlined in the writing schedule I will have to remain diligent and work on the report regularly. Following this schedule will help me to write an informative Formal Report with meaningful recommendations for Improving the Understanding of Waste Management at UBCO.
2.5. Links
3. Unit Three Reflection Blog
Formal Report Draft and Peer Review
3.1. Overview
Unit three focused on the submission of the Formal Report Draft and the Peer Review and emphasized writing with ‘You’ attitude. These assignments built on the work completed in unit two, including the Formal Report proposal, outline, and progress report. The Formal Report Draft provided more information on the problem and the potential solutions identified in the proposal. To gather data for the report draft, students conducted a survey of the population impacted by the proposed solution and an informational interview with at least one individual with authority on the topic. After submitting the Formal Report Draft, and in preparation for the final report submission, students wrote peer reviews of their teammate’s submission using a ‘You’ attitude.
3.2. Formal Report Draft
a. Research and Data Collection
The research phase was the most challenging part of the Formal Report Draft assignment, especially the survey. First, there were several issues encountered when creating the survey on the UBC Qualtrics platform, however, I was able to successfully create my survey using Google Forms. These issues taught me a great deal about the requirements for an ethical survey, including the importance of clarity, details, and specific language. In addition, it was challenging to find relevant information about standards or regulations about waste stream contamination in public facilities in Kelowna and in British Columbia. During the informational interview, I learned that the lack of information was because contamination parameters for public facilities are set by private waste management companies. These companies establish the acceptable waste contamination levels and repercussions for non-compliance based on the need
Other than the issues with the survey and regulation review, the research process went well. The informational interview with Jamie Armer, Head of Facilities Management at the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO), provided crucial details for the report. The interview findings included UBCO’s sustainability targets, current waste diversion efforts on campus, and informed the feasibility and comparison analysis. In addition, Armer provided unpublished UBCO waste audit reports from 2018 and 2022, which became the primary sources of the literature review.
b. Report Organization and Writing
The organization of the Formal Report Draft was also challenging, although not as much as the research. The outline and progress report submissions in unit two were crucial for the successful organization report. After submitting these assignments, I began writing the report draft, but I struggled to make meaningful progress. To overcome this challenge, I decided to re-write my outline and include additional information. I continued building on the outline until the report began to come together. I then added the information from the outline to the Formal Report Draft template I had prepared previously.
3.3. Formal Report Peer Review
a. Peer Review Process
Writing the peer review of my teammate’s Formal Report Draft allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of what is required in an effective report. While reviewing the report I encountered several areas of concern of which I was unsure, including grammar, MLA formatting, and content. To give my peer useful feedback and correct, I had to research these areas of concern, which taught me a great deal about report writing. Overall, the peer review process encouraged me to learn more about the requirements for an effective report and taught me about proper grammar and MLA formatting.
b. Revision Process
The feedback given by Jeemin in the Formal Report Draft Peer Review was very positive. Thus, the revision process was straightforward. Jeemin noted some minor errors throughout the report, including:
- Minor typos on pages 1, 11, and 12.
- Incomplete text in the survey question which was shown in Figure 5.
Further revisions were made to the Formal Report in addition to editing the errors identified in the peer review. More information was added to the Data Collection section to clarify the results of the feasibility and comparison analysis and explain their significance. Moreover, in the conclusion, the summary of findings and recommendations were expanded to effectively summarize the body of the report.
3.4. Links
4. Reflection Blog Four
Creating a Web Folio
4.1. Overview
The final assignment of ENGL 301 was a Web Folio that compiled most of the work completed during the term. The Web Folio was written for a specific audience to act as a job or graduate school application tool. This assignment emphasized the importance of following detailed instructions, tone, and persuasive writing. It included a homepage, about me section, application package, reflection blogs, and best work page. In addition to creating each part of the Web Folio, students revised ten existing assignments and posted them on the best work page.
4.2. Process of Creating a Web Folio
The Web Folio was an interesting and enjoyable assignment. The homepage and about me sections were relatively straightforward to write since most of the content was adapted from my original ENGL 301 Course Blog. When creating the original blog, I struggled with formatting and organization. Throughout the semester I became more familiar with the UBC Blogs platform and taught myself some basic front-end coding to create tables on the web pages and posts. Now that I am comfortable using the UBC Blogs platform, enjoyed adding pictures and formatting the Web Folio to have a thematic visual.
The application package included in the Web Folio was the most challenging part of the assignment. Generally, I struggle with writing about myself and find writing job application documents very stressful. However, this assignment pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to improve my skills in this area. I benefited from flexibility in choosing an audience for the application package, which allowed me to direct my efforts to a job posting I am very interested in, a Structural Engineering Co-op role with RJC Engineers.
Creating the Web Folio was an excellent opportunity to reflect on the work completed throughout the semester. However, completing the assignment revisions and writing descriptions for each took a long time. The due date for this assignment fell during a busy time at work. For the past month, I wrote technical engineering reports and proposals for clients at work for at least 40 hours each week. It has been extremely difficult to find the motivation to revise past assignments for the Web Folio and complete the other ENGL 301 submissions after work. Despite the challenges, revising the past assignments improved my understanding of many concepts highlighted throughout the course, including writing for a specific audience with You-attitude.
5. Reflection Blog Five
Self-Assessment Reflection
5.1. Overview
5.2. Strengths and Weaknesses
5.3. Career Goals