1) The document reflects on Lisa Briner's experience in her technical writing course. She learned that technical writing is much broader than she expected and is used in many occupational fields to communicate complex information to specific audiences.
2) Through assignments in the course, Lisa improved her resume, learned collaborative work processes, developed technical instructions, and gained experience presenting her work.
3) Overall, Lisa learned that technical writing involves breaking large projects into steps, revising work based on feedback, and applying systematic processes to accomplish goals. She will be able to apply these skills to achieve her professional aims.
2. WALKING INTO CLASSâŚ
Signing up for this course I wasnât really sure what to expect. I had no idea how broad
and interesting technical writing could be. The first day I nervous because I was expecting to
edit papers and maybe learn how to write papers in a more technical way and boy, I was just
a wrong.
I learned that technical writing is used in a variety of occupational fields. Technical
writing is used to downsize complex information for a particular audience to accomplish
some task or goal. It is involved in computer hardware, engineering, chemistry, finance, etc. In
this class I learned that technical writing is very broad by creating a resume that will definitely
help me in the future, working in a group efficiently, be able to apply usability tests to
technical instructions to make them more useful, revise and edit technical instructions to
make them more efficient, and I learned that presentations can be really helpful to present
and promote helpful information. Definitely something way different than I was expecting
and I will be walking out of this class with a better understanding of what technical writing is
and I will be able to apply the things I learned to my daily life when it comes to the process of
setting and planning a goal in a step by step planning process.
3. RESUME?
In unit 1 the class learned how to properly write a resume and how to reach a goal with a step by step
process. Coming into class I had an idea on how to write a resume and kind sort of already had one made, but
technical writing helped me make my resume stronger by informing me how employers work and what they
expect. Things I took from this was..
-A resume should have a cover letter to properly introduce yourself and be followed by thank a you note to
show the employer that you are passionate and care about the job you are applying for
-The waterfall effect model helped me get my assignments and tasks done in a more efficient way because I
took every thing step by step and if something didnât work out at one step I was able to go back and revise and
fix what I should have done and start out more efficiently and eventually came out with a better product. For
example, one day in class we played a game by the written instructions, and after playing the game by the
instructions I was able to revise those instructions to make them more efficient and make the game easier to
understand.
I now have a proper resume to hopefully help me exceed in applying for jobs and know how to accomplish
my goals in a more efficient way.
4. PROPOSAL?
⢠In unit 2 the class learned how to properly write a formal proposal. The class was spilt up
into groups and was asked to revise and edit a task that could help students around
campus. My group chose how to check-out a book in the library since myself and my fellow
group mates have never been informed or knew how since everything today is based
around technology. What I took from this was how to collaborate well when working in a
group and take things step by step in order to achieve what we were expecting to achieve.
By doing this we wrote a proposal first. This proposal stated the research, the problem, and
how we planned on fixing it. Through the proposal I learnedâŚ
⢠how to solve a problem more organized and efficiently through a process
⢠Learned what a proposal was and how it introduces the problem efficiently
⢠Group work before this glass wasnât my cup of tea, but afterwards I found out that other
peoplesâ ideas can really effectively help when it comes to accomplishing a goal and a final
product.
5. PUTTING IT TO THE TEST
⢠In unit 3 we moved onto the next step and put our proposal to the test. Our group has
came up with a set of step by step instructions on how to check out a book. I learned
that through usability testing you are able to realize what you could have done better
to make your audience understand what you are trying to say, and gave you wiggle
room for trial and error. Through this trial and error we were able to figure out what
was wrong with our instructions and make them even simpler and more efficient.
Through usability testing I personally learned..
⢠The usability test is good to test the document and not necessarily the people.
⢠Eliminates assumptions about how people would read your instructions.
⢠Allows there to be editing and proof that something could be better.
⢠Makes your document more reliable.
6. WHATâS AN INSTRUCTIONAL
DOCUMENT?
⢠In unit 4 we learned how instructions could be a good fit because it is easy for an
audience to understand what you are trying to tell them. Our group tried to make a
video at first, but we quickly learned that writing out instructions was much easier. So
therefore, we had already written out a set of instructions on how to check out a book
and in this unit I learned that it was very effective to have instructions becauseâŚ
⢠Instructions are easy to revise and edit to accommodate other cultures.
⢠Instructions are basic, easy, and flows in a fashion for people to better understand
⢠People prefer to read instructions rather than watch a long video or figure it out on
their own
⢠Instructions also keep things organized and precise.
7. SHOWING OFF YOUR WORK
⢠In unit 5 individual groups were expected to present their proposed actions. At first I was not too
thrilled about this because I have a lot of anxiety when getting in front of any type of group, especially
a small one because their energy is all focused on you. Although, after presenting I quickly learned
that it is not so bad. I took away that..
⢠Presentations are effective because you are able to show off your work and hopefully move it on up in
the world to where it will actually be used.
⢠I learned that to get to the presentation process you have to go through 4 phases, which are planning,
development, quality assurance, and then publication.
⢠When you are confident about something it is not so scary to show it off
⢠Working with a group makes things easier in the end when presenting it to an audience.
I will take the 4 phases that we had to go through and apply it to my daily life when it comes to
achieving my goals. I have learned that you canât just set a goal and magically wait for it to happen. You
have to take steps and risks. Achieving something is a planned, strategical process that takes time and
hard work.
8. - I will be walking away from English 2311 with many learned, and
improved qualities that I can use in my life and hopefully help me exceed
in my profession by setting goals and achieving them through a step by
step process
Sincerely,
Lisa Briner
