The student learned about different types of professional writing and techniques to make writing clear, concise, complete, correct and courteous. Through assignments like a complaint letter and memo, the student practiced applying these techniques. The course helped distinguish business writing from academic writing. It is important because the skills learned will benefit the student in future courses, careers and marketing field competitions, where professional writing is essential.

1. ENC 3250 Professional Writing:
Midterm Reflection
CALVIN LE, CRN 81120

2. What did I learn?
In this course so far, I have learned the different types of professional writing and the different
techniques I should incorporate to accomplish the “five C’s:” Clear, Concise, Complete, Correct,
and Courteous.

3. What did I learn?
Some of the different correspondence I have learned to properly write include complaint letters
and memos. I have also learned how to write with clarity, and the importance of design and
visuals in both documents and websites.

4. How did I learn?
I learned how to write in a business
environment through a combination
of the readings, writing
assignments, and analysis
assignments. In the readings, I
learned the basics of professional
writing, and through the
assignments, I was able to apply
what I learned.
For example, in Writing Assignment
1 (WA1), I learned how to properly
write and format a complaint letter,
while also remaining courteous in
order to achieve a win-win situation
between me and the recipient.
WA2, Complaint Letter

5. How did I learn?
In Writing Assignment 2 (WA2), we
further practiced writing business
correspondence by writing a memo
in response to a request by the One
Book, One Campus Committee. For
the assignment, we selected three
book recommendations for FGCU’s
One Book, One Campus program.
The assignment helped me further
understand the layout of memos,
while also incorporating tables,
headers, and bullet points to
effectively present the information.
WA2, OBOC Memo

6. How did I learn?
Next, in Analysis Assignment 1
(AA1), I learned how information is
presented depending on the needs
and interests of the audience. To do
this, we analyzed the effectiveness
of a flight attendants instructions to
the passengers of a plane. We used
information from Chapter 1, the
Writing Process, from our textbook
to fully understand the importance
of audience, context, and purpose
(Alred, 1-40).

7. How did I learn?
In Analysis Assignments 2 and 3, I
learned about how website content
is determined by audience and the
proper and effective ways to
present a website. These
assignments were supplemented by
Chapter 7, Design and Visuals.
• The purpose of Analysis Assignment 2 (AA2) was to determine how the needs,
interests, and expectations of audience guide the shaping and presentation of
website content. To do this, we analyzed two charity websites that we selected, and
looked to see if material was provided for individual audiences such as volunteers,
donors, and clients. The charities I analyzed where http://water.org/, and
http://www.charitywater.org/, two non-profit organizations that assist in providing
clean drinking water to developing nations.
• Analysis Assignment 3 (AA3) helped me further apply what I learned in the readings
by having me make suggestions to improve a poorly designed website. To do this, I
followed design principles located in Chapter 7 such as typography and grouping
(Alred, 200-230).

8. Why does it matter?
The information I learned in ENC 3250 is important because it helped
differentiate business writing and academic writing. It is especially significant
because not only did I learn about the different aspects of professional writing, I
was also able to apply my learning into the assignments, and I will be able to
apply that same knowledge into my future courses. This course will also help
with future careers, and not only careers in the business world, since many
other career fields utilize professional writing.

9. Why is ENC 3250 important to me?
As a marketing major, and as a college student in general, the information I
learned in ENC 3250 will affect me in multiple ways that will assist in my
academic and career success.
First, I will always remember the five C’s, as they can be applied outside of
business writing. Of course, I will also remember that my presentation and
content of future assignments will be dependent on what I know about my
audience. Also, as an aside, many of the professors I have had will not respond
to e-mails that are not properly written, so this course has greatly helped with
that.

10. Why is ENC 3250 important to me?
Next, from the system of drafts and final documents being submitted separately,
along with the peer reviews, this course will help me in future ones as I will
always remember to proofread and make sure my work follows the grading
rubric. The course in general helps me ensure I submit work to the best of my
ability.
Finally, the different techniques and elements of professional writing I learned
will help me stand out in a competitive career field. From what I have been told
by others in business majors, marketing is a very competitive field, so properly
using what I learned can give me an edge over other students and applicants in
future careers and experiences.

11. Works Cited
Alred, Gerald J., Charles T. Brusaw, and Walter E. Oliu. The Business Writer's Companion. Boston:
Bedford/St. Martin's, 2005. Print.
Non-Commercial images found at:
http://search.creativecommons.org/
https://openclipart.org/
https://www.flickr.com/