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Unit 3 Reflection Blog

Unit Three Reflection Blog

In this particular unit, I had the opportunity to experience the craft of doing a research report. Overall, there were several core experiences throughout completing my draft report, and although there were complications from time to time I found the instructions and peer review extremely effective in helping my writing. In the following subsections, I will be separate the different steps of this process to better reflect on unit 3’s material.

 

Formal Report Researching Question

The initial process of conducting a research report was to allocate the specific question/problem that is being addressed. Moreover, throughout the process of developing my research question, I found it a very interesting procedure as I had the autonomy to choose a topic in the field of my specific interest. Moreover, even when coming up with a question that seemed interesting, I realized how essential it was for the question to make sense and to be testable. This step of the research really helped me understand the difference between interesting and practicality as my question should have a purpose and be testable in a research setting.

Formal Report Data Organization

Throughout conducting surveys and collecting data for my research, I learned the standard ethical concerns/statements necessary for primary data collection. Furthermore I understood the right way to research and to get effective data. The process of organizing my collected data from my primary and secondary research proved to be quite challenging due to the overwhelming information and the need to only pick out the essential data. In order to keep the report concise and to the point it was a great learning opportunity to understand what information was relevant and what wasn’t.

Formal Report Write up

The process of writing the formal report was quite enjoyable. Referring to the outline we had the chance to create prior to the actual write up, it was quite efficient to be able to follow a percise outline and direction instead of being impulsive and unorganized. The writing process was surprisingly easy due to having the foundation of the research already completed and all the data already organized in neat exhibits.

Review Peer’s Formal Report Draft

Through peer reviewing my group member Alex’s formal draft report, I learned how to better create data to illustrate findings. Furthermore, after I finished reading her report, I realized that there were major improvements that could be done on my personal research report. For instance, to a concise purpose illustrated at the start and build all the subsections around it to support the case. Moreover, this was a great activity because I was able to not only retrieve valuable aspiration from her work, I was also able to provide recommendations on the things I saw lacking as well. The concept of peer reviewing is amazing since it really benefits both end of the writing spectrum. I will definitely be revising my report by applying the good things I learned from my peer’s report and to avoid the mistakes as well.

Link to the draft report:

Andy-Xiaos-Formal-Report-Draft-1

Unit 2 Reflection Blog

Unit Two Reflection

In Unit 2 of our English 301 technical writing class, I have found the material although challenging but practical. During the assignment in creating my own Linkedin profile, I enjoyed the instructions and tips on how to create the ideal profile as that is the key to networking in the professional scene in today’s world. I felt accomplished and confident after completing my professional social media network because it opened another dimension of opportunities for my career. Furthermore, the peer review section was also very beneficial for my LinkedIn because of the unbias the second opinion I received from my writing member Alex, I was able to make adjustments I would have never seen myself.

The report was the challenging portion of this unit’s material because it required an immense amount of time and planning in the idea itself, as well as the preparation of the proposal and outline. Overall, I thought I had done a thorough job with my report, but through Professor’s feedback, I received several adjustments on making my progress report better. I currently can foresee my project becoming a formal report as I have all the required variables to conduct the research. Additionally, I firmly believe everything is slowly coming together for my formal report and with the hope of time, I will be able to retrieve enough data from my surveys to conclude my formal report.

When it came to reviewing my partner’s proposal, I believe Brooklyn did an amazing job in specifying what she wanted to solve as well as a clear outline of her research. Furthermore, I was able to learn from her structure and make the adjustment to my own after. Lastly, I wanted to disclose how amazing it is to be able to peer review in a driven environment where my peers are providing me with genuine feedbacks. The result has been evident in my work as I slowly integrated their suggestions into my work and allowing it to develop into even greater writing. Lastly, I now see peer review as an essential part of writing because having a second set of eyes to go over your work allows fewer flaws as well as an unbias read to give even more useful adjustments to your work.

All in all, unit 2 has been a very productive learning curve and I hope the challenge continues as I strive to improve my writing even more.  Thank you for taking the time to read my Unit 2 Reflection. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

Best,

Andy Xiao

 

The following is my Revised Report Proposal

https://blogs.ubc.ca/engl301-99a/2018/10/11/research-proposal-andy-xiao/

The following is the peer review Report Proposal

https://blogs.ubc.ca/engl301-99a/2018/10/15/peer-review-of-research-proposal-for-andy-xiao/

 

 

 

Unit One Reflection Blog

Throughout this weeks assignment, I have gotten the opportunity to learn, practice and revise on my technical writing skills. The definition assignment we did last week was really great because of a couple reasons. Firstly, I had to the opportunity to define a term In my field of profession and educate my peers on it. Secondly, I was able to read and learn the term Secularization from Alexandra to better grasp an understanding of the concept. Lastly, to be able to receive valuable feedback and compliments from my work is one of the most amazing things I can ever ask for. With the help of Alexandra’s critique was able to understand what I did well and also what I was missing. To be frank, when I construct my writings, I could proofread it multiple times and not find the lacking element to my paper, yet with another pair of eyes and knowledge, it really puts my writing into perspective.

 

When I first started writing for my term “mutual fund”,  I was extremely confident in the term and underestimated the difficulty to explain a term I used every day at work. Yet after learning that there are so many different methods of definition in technical writing, I was pleasantly surprised but also concerned. I was unsure I could put all these different methods of definition in context with clarity, but with the help of a clear instruction I was able to figure out how to precisely construct each definition so that people are able to easily interpret the term without vast confusion.

 

I learned that my writing, although goes in-depth on analysis and explanation, lacks a personal connection. For instance, Alexandra mentioned three questions that she still had from reading my paper. Moreover, the most important question that resonated with me was: “Why do you think that people should be informed about what this term means?” This was essential because I was focusing too much on trying to explain a complex term while failing to realize the importance of retaining the audience’s attention. I failed to lay out why this piece of information is even relevant or useful for the readers, and without creating an incentive for the audience as they read through this definition, it loses its attraction and value.

Peer Review Link:

https://blogs.ubc.ca/engl301-99a/2018/10/01/peer-review-andy-xiaos-3-definitions/

Revised Version

Revised Definitions

Email Memorandum

To: Professor Paterson, English 301
From: andyxiao123@hotmail.com

This email is in regards to the unit 1.2 assignments.  The purpose of this email is to notify you that all of my assignments for Unit 1.2 have been completed. My application letter has been posted to the blog section. Below, I have included the highlights of my letter of application. Please review the attached file for a more in-depth look at my letter of application.

  • Professional Interests
  • Work Experience
  • Strength and Weakness
  • Education and Achievements
  • Learning Philosophy

 

Thank you for your time, and please let me know if there are any questions or concerns in regards to this email Memorandum.

Best regards,
Andy Xiao

301-Andys-Letter-of-Application-1-1-1-1-2

Team Recruitment Emails

To: june.wu@alumni.ubc.ca
From: Andyxiao123@hotmail.com
Sep/19th/2018

My name is Andy Xiao and I am writing this email in regards to the letter of application you recently posted on your blog. I am currently still looking for phenomenal individuals to join my professional writing team. After reading your informative letter, I have realized we have a very similar interest aligned, and that is artificial intelligence.  During this summer, I went to Stanford to partake in an intensive study on the subject of technology entrepreneurship. Being part of the silicon valley experience, I received immense exposure towards the topic of AI every day. Moreover, I find it so interesting because I hear successful professionals from different industries having such a different opinion on this topic. For instance, the head of the AI department at Linkedin came in for a lecture and he boldly disclosed that AI was nothing but a Buzzword and that there no magic to it. Simply put, it was something humans encode and that is it. However, a professor at Stanford told me something completely different, as he disclosed that people have already attempted to take the next step with AI with something called “deep learning”. This was a term describing machines that are instructed to pick up humane decisions, emotions, values. Hence, artificial intelligence is definitely an amazing subject and I would love to chat with you more on it.  Aside from our common interest I also agree with your learning philosophy, where I personally also learn much quicker if I have seen the procedure done the right way.

If you’re interested, I would love to have you be a part of my Professional Writing team. Nevertheless, please read the attachment above as it will give you an overview of who I am and what I offer as a member of the team. Looking forward to your response!

Best regards,
Andy Xiao


__________________________________________________________________

 

To: Katempeters8@outlook.com
From: Andyxiao123@hotmail.com
Sep/19th/2018

Hello Katleen,
301-Andys-Letter-of-Application-1-1-1-1-2

My name is Andy Xiao and I am writing this email in regards to the letter of application you recently posted on your blog. I am currently still looking for phenomenal individuals to join my professional writing team. After reading your informative letter, I have to admit that I am fascinated with the journey you have been through. Moreover, I can imagine needing to take care of your young beautiful daughter can be a full-time job. Yet you continued to strive and educate yourself to reach a higher realm of education, that is something I sincerely respect and would love to learn from. I believe your experiences and maturity would be an exceptional influence on our professional writing team.  Lastly, I completely agree with your learning philosophy as I also believe that mistakes are supposed to happen because that is possibly the best way to learn and improve.

I would love to have you as a member of my professional writing team; nevertheless, please read the above attachment to see if my experiences and values align with what you’re looking for!

Best regards,
Andy Xiao

 

__________________________________________________________________

 

To: pietekemacmahon@gmail.com
From: Andyxiao123@hotmail.com
Sep/19th/2018

Hello Pieteke,
301-Andys-Letter-of-Application-1-1-1-1-2

My name is Andy Xiao and I am writing this email in regards to the letter of application you recently posted on your blog. I am currently still looking for phenomenal individuals to join my professional writing team. When I stumbled upon your letter of application, I discovered we had very similar interest in terms volunteering experiences. From what I have read, I can feel your genuine passion to contribute towards the community. Furthermore, I love your initiative to reach out for sponsors and to help elementary kids develop themselves in their early stages of life. Moreover, throughout the last couple of years, I have also involved myself in the community as much as I could.  The volunteering position that I am extremely proud of would be being part of an Anti-bullying organization where we provide various options to help kids that are victims of bullying and raise money to help care for them.

I am also very interested in the skills you offer as my core values are reliability and consistency which is something that aligns with the skill set you possess.

If you’re interested, I would love to have you be a part of my Professional Writing team. Nevertheless, please read the attachment above as it will give you an overview of who I am and what I offer as a member of the team. Looking forward to your response!

Best regards,
Andy Xiao

About Myself

 

Hey there! My name is Andy Xiao, a fourth-year arts student finishing up my last undergraduate year. Since graduation is approaching with immense pace, the worries and stress of initiating a successful career have been a burden on my shoulder, yet with the discovery of this class, I hope to be able to utilize the writing knowledge and skills from our professor Paterson.

 

I am currently working part-time at TD Canada trust as a financial service representative, with the hope of going into the investment sector after graduation. My hobbies include working out, sports, and reading. However, my deepest passion is traveling.

Unlike many others, I don’t believe in the concept of a dream job; nevertheless, I am a huge believer that financial freedom is one of the core conditions towards happiness. I devote myself to perusing a corporate career not because of my love for finance or the economy, but the possibility of being able to reach the financial comfort to follow my passion. With the advanced transportation technologies, our world has revolutionized towards. I now have the privilege to witness the natural beauty of countries around the globe. Most importantly, what truly inspires me to travel is the opportunity to be able to live and breath in a country that I am not accustomed to, and to be able to learn and embrace the diverse cultures around the world.

If anyone is interested in following my adventure around the world, please come to check out my youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDJNMrZo1K3BB4NO3iTlsjA