Reflection Blog 1
As I first read the instructions for this assignment, I thought it would be an easy task to write on. However, when I sat down to choose a complex economic term to define to a non-technical audience, I realized how hard this task really was. Putting things you think you know into words is not so easy. I also realized how most words in economics as so abstract, for example, utility. Words like ‘utility’ might seem easy to define but when you dive into every aspect of the definition you yourself tend to lose track. So I made sure to start off by writing the definition like I would expect an easy-to-read textbook to have written. I also placed myself in a blank slate and wrote like I was taking notes of a word I came across for the first time. I kept asking myself questions i.e. when I was a first-year university student did I even know what interest rate was?
The peer-review process allowed me to look at Jiajie’s brilliant work at defining the term “Lane’s Scale”. I would first like to thank Jiajie for doing a great job at defining the term and helping me learning something new. While peer-reviewing Jiajie’s work I automatically took note of things I missed out in my writing i.e. choosing a reading situation. The peer-reviewing process helped me appreciate the small attention to details we miss out while writing and how important it is to have a third eye to look at our work. With no background in environmental science, it was easy for me to catch a hold of terms that I would need further explanations on from Jiajie. I realized the importance of to-the-point condensed writing.
Jiajie’s review of my work was extremely helpful in my editing process. As I read through his review I came across such simple mistakes and overlooked aspects that I didn’t even realize I had missed out on i.e. title of my assignment, subheading under my expanded definition, etc. Jiajie gave me some great advice that I did not find necessary at first i.e. why not give an example of how the whole bond process works to give your assignment a reference point? or why not talk about different types of bond. Overall, after Jiajie’s peer review I felt like I had guidance and felt more confident while editing.
My editing process went smoothly, mostly because I had someone peer-review it and I had found things I wanted to add on and fix after I had already submitted the first draft. I realized how important it is to take breaks from your writing and come back with a fresh mind to re-read your work to make sure it’s perfect.
Discussed assignments can be found below:
Original Definition:
https://blogs.ubc.ca/engl301-98a-2020sa/2020/06/06/69978/
Revised Definition:
https://blogs.ubc.ca/engl301-98a-2020sa/2020/06/12/revised-definition-bond/
Word document file of the Revised Definition:
Peer-review from Jiajie:
https://blogs.ubc.ca/engl301-98a-2020sa/2020/06/10/peer-review-for-zainab/
Peer-review for Jiajie:
https://blogs.ubc.ca/engl301-98a-2020sa/2020/06/10/peer-review-for-jiajie/