{"id":67,"date":"2015-02-14T00:51:20","date_gmt":"2015-02-14T07:51:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/solomonvandt\/?p=67"},"modified":"2015-04-06T09:05:09","modified_gmt":"2015-04-06T16:05:09","slug":"unit-two-reflection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/solomonvandt\/2015\/02\/14\/unit-two-reflection\/","title":{"rendered":"Strategies for Formal Reports &#038; Application Packages"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In Unit Two, we started the process of creating the Formal Report and the Application Package. \u00a0First, we made a Proposal for our Formal Report, which required us to do a brainstorming exercise and practice writing in a research proposal format. \u00a0Then, we were asked to peer review a partner\u2019s research proposal. \u00a0Our next assignment was to set up a LinkedIn Profile for the Application Package. \u00a0Also, we reviewed a partner\u2019s profile using a LinkedIn Peer Review Form we were asked to generate. \u00a0Following, we prepared a memo for our fellow professional writing team members regarding LinkedIn Best Practices. \u00a0Finally, we produced a Formal Report Outline in the form of an email memo for Dr. Paterson detailing the progress on our Formal Report.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-292 \" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/solomonvandt\/files\/2015\/02\/startup-594090_640-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"startup-594090_640\" width=\"421\" height=\"280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/solomonvandt\/files\/2015\/02\/startup-594090_640-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/solomonvandt\/files\/2015\/02\/startup-594090_640-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/solomonvandt\/files\/2015\/02\/startup-594090_640.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 421px) 100vw, 421px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The most challenging aspect of preparing the Proposal for the Formal Report was the brainstorming activity for thinking of an investigational topic. \u00a0Thinking of an interesting investigational topic that would lend itself well to the Formal Report is really important. \u00a0I found that writing the Proposal was relatively simple once I selected my topic (Improving Patient Experience at BCCA-VCC). \u00a0In generating the Formal Report Proposal, I found learning how to properly format a research proposal most helpful. \u00a0From the review I received from Vincent, I realized it would be more effective if I focus most of my energy on interviewing volunteers, rather than observing patient behaviour myself.<\/p>\n<p>I had the opportunity to review Vincent\u2019s Formal Report Proposal. \u00a0I learned from my Unit One experience that having a peer review outline prior to reviewing makes the process more productive and efficient. \u00a0So, I made a peer review outline for research proposals prior to reading Vincent\u2019s Proposal. \u00a0During the review, I was very keen on making sure his investigational topic is going to lend itself well to the Formal Report. \u00a0Also, I paid extra attention to the tone used throughout the document, keeping in mind the intended audience. \u00a0I learned that a research proposal intended to make recommendations to solve a problem should have a tone that remains respectful, but imperative.<\/p>\n<p>Setting up a LinkedIn Profile was the first task in making the Application Package. \u00a0I constructed most of my LinkedIn Profile as I would my CV. \u00a0However, I took advantage of the Summary section to try to convey some of my personality and professional interests. \u00a0I really want my personality to come through, because I realize my experience may still be lacking. \u00a0Colby reviewed my Profile and indicated that I should provide more detail on some of my work experiences. \u00a0Also, he suggest taking advantage of the multimedia options on LinkedIn.<\/p>\n<p>I had the opportunity to review Colby\u2019s LinkedIn Profile. \u00a0Prior to reviewing his Profile, we were asked to make a LinkedIn Peer Review Form. \u00a0I found this task to be the most time consuming, because it required me to conduct research on the components of an outstanding LinkedIn Profile. \u00a0However, with the Peer Review Form I prepared, the actual review process was much more efficient. I found Colby\u2019s profile to be very well developed and it included a lot of information regarding his various experiences. \u00a0In particular, I was impressed with his use of multimedia in his Work Experience section. \u00a0I eventually hope to make my Profile appear as professional and complete as Colby\u2019s.<\/p>\n<p>In this Unit, we were required to prepare several memos, including one concerning the Best LinkedIn Practices. \u00a0This assignment required us to conduct our own research and make a list of the ten best practices for using LinkedIn as a networking tool. \u00a0I found this activity most helpful as I learned a lot about LinkedIn when I conducted my research. \u00a0In particular, I learned that taking advantage of groups could be very helpful to make new professional connections.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, we were asked to make a Formal Report Outline in the form of a memo. \u00a0Just like with every other technical writing activity, it is very important to keep the audience in mind during the writing process. \u00a0So, we were asked to describe the intended audiences\u00a0of\u00a0our Formal Reports in our\u00a0outlines. \u00a0 Also, for this assignment, we had to think more carefully on how exactly we will be collecting the data used in our Formal Report. \u00a0I made a list of questions I will use during interviews with my fellow Volunteers. \u00a0Each of these questions were carefully considered because the answers will greatly affect any recommendations I may make in the Formal Report. \u00a0Furthermore, I am finding that all the practice generating memos is turning out to be very useful. \u00a0I would feel comfortable preparing memos with proper tone and format in the workplace already.<\/p>\n<p>I am finding that generating and receiving\u00a0Peer Reviews to be most beneficial in my development as a technical writer. \u00a0By conducting reviews, we are required to be considerate of audience, conduct\u00a0adequate background research, and write in a clear and concise manner. \u00a0These are all skills that must be practiced when generating any technical document.\u00a0\u00a0Overall, I found Unit Two a lot more challenging than Unit One. \u00a0It contributed even more to my development as a technical writer. \u00a0I look forward to continue my learning in Unit Three.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Unit Two, we started the process of creating the Formal Report and the Application Package. \u00a0First, we made a Proposal for our Formal Report, which required us to do a brainstorming exercise and practice writing in a research proposal format. \u00a0Then, we were asked to peer review a partner\u2019s research proposal. \u00a0Our next assignment [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28918,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-67","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/solomonvandt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/solomonvandt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/solomonvandt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/solomonvandt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28918"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/solomonvandt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=67"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/solomonvandt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":313,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/solomonvandt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67\/revisions\/313"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/solomonvandt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/solomonvandt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/solomonvandt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}