There is many differences in the draft copy of the cover letter and of the final copy. With the help from his teachers notes and peer reviews, he was able to achieve executing a well written cover letter to send into the work force.
First, in the draft copy of the cover letter, the professor and peer-reviewer explained the opening paragraph was very vague and needed more information about the reasons why he would be good for this job and outlining more of his skills. In his final copy, he took these comments and re-wrote a great opening paragraph.
Next, in the second paragraph explaining the classes he took and how he understands the necessary computer programs the company uses, one comment the professor gave was to rephrase a certain sentence that ultimately sounded better. Again, he took that very revision and incorporated it into the second paragraph. Another important comment the teach gave was to have the student give reason of why it would be good for him to know how to use this particular computer program. As the professor put it, "the X, Y, and Z."
In the third paragraph, the main comments was to reword his sentences and create a better topic sentence, which ultimately the author ends up adding into his cover letter. Another very important suggestion was to expand on his knowledge of the internship itself. He will show that he has done his homework and is in fact very interested him the company and the job he would be doing at this company. The suggestion did say to perhaps make it in a separate paragraph, which the author did not end up doing. I do not think that was a bad decision the final draft works just fine without having a separate paragraph for it.
Finally, the one main thing the student was concerned about was whether he needed to expand more on his job descriptions, the spacing on the cover letter itself, and overall being informative enough. He ultimately achieved these with the help of the comments from his peer review and the professor. In the end, he produced a smart and well-written cover letter to send to the desired company.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Blog 3
Faigley argues that a document in the workplace is "a moment in the continuous process of communication." Drawing on Faigley's definition of the "social perspective" on writing, explain what a professional writer needs to be able to do in order to participate effectively in this "continuous process of communication."
To begin, Faigley defines social perspective as a "link in the communication chain" that enables writers to be able to keep up with the ever changing society, by using communication between groups. These writers focus on social roles and differences and changes in cultures. For a writer to be able to achieve this goal of the social perspective they need to discover new methods of research and the easiest way to relate it to this ever-changing social world. One example of research is empirical research, which involves two parts, quantitative and qualitative research.
Writers also have to understand that writing from a social perspective involves looking at society and cultures from a broader point of view. It is not like technical writing where detail is very crucial. It is also important for the writers to be able to understand and communicate with different languages between different cultures. If you can not fully understand what a person is trying to communicate there is no way you can write and achieve the goal of the writing assignment.
Finally, along with any other writers goals, writing through the social perspective a writer needs to know the social relationship of the author and the reader and what is the ultimate point the text is trying to get across. Also, noticing how a particular social text changes over time is important to be able to write in the future.
To begin, Faigley defines social perspective as a "link in the communication chain" that enables writers to be able to keep up with the ever changing society, by using communication between groups. These writers focus on social roles and differences and changes in cultures. For a writer to be able to achieve this goal of the social perspective they need to discover new methods of research and the easiest way to relate it to this ever-changing social world. One example of research is empirical research, which involves two parts, quantitative and qualitative research.
Writers also have to understand that writing from a social perspective involves looking at society and cultures from a broader point of view. It is not like technical writing where detail is very crucial. It is also important for the writers to be able to understand and communicate with different languages between different cultures. If you can not fully understand what a person is trying to communicate there is no way you can write and achieve the goal of the writing assignment.
Finally, along with any other writers goals, writing through the social perspective a writer needs to know the social relationship of the author and the reader and what is the ultimate point the text is trying to get across. Also, noticing how a particular social text changes over time is important to be able to write in the future.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Blog 2
How does Jack Selzer convince you that his analysis about Nelson"s writing practices are based on extensive, careful observation?
I believe that Selzer set out to discover exactly what a technical writer's writing process is since many of the others being observed were very young and inexperienced. I think that Selzer saw an opportunity to prove that technical writing is a lot more than sitting down and writing without any effort at all.
First, Selzer observes Nelson, an engineer in Chicago, to prove that there is more to the technical writing process. He explains that Nelson does a series of procedures prior to finishing a writing proposal or assignment. There are notes, drafts, outlines, plans, revisions, and etc. In his article Selzer stated that Nelson uses 80 percent of his time just arranging and brainstorming his writing project. That is a great deal of time for someone to spend on those two aspects of the assignment. Many people was their time thinking of complicated sentences or fancy word use that could ultimately take away from the writing.
Selzer also noticed information being re-used from previous assignments, which ultimately cuts down on time and work. When you are a technical writer there are many deadlines and other assignments waiting to be started and spending a long period of time on one piece is not feasible. This is why all the preparation that goes into writing a single assignment is crucial.
Next, while observing Nelson, Selzer directs a series of questions and comments about the certain things the writer does and why he does it. Even offering suggestions to see if Nelson would stray from one of his procedures. He wanted to know what Nelson was doing when it came down to his notes and revisions and why he was doing it.
In the short time that Selzer observed Nelson, he saw that the writer also considers the audience that will be receiving his pieces. Nelson writes very simple and "straight to the point" making it very simple for just about anyone to read and comprehend his writing, even when it is as difficult as engineering.
Finally, I think that Selzer was able to obtain a great deal of information from his one day of observations. I think that he accomplishes the task of letting us know that there is still a great deal more that he could have learned and observed. I think that also this was a way for him to prove that research is key for teaching young students how to go about writing about a certain subject. I know that when I was in high school, we were required to turn in and outline and two rough drafts and I think that in the end is has made it easier for me to go about writing and finishing an assignment well.
I believe that Selzer set out to discover exactly what a technical writer's writing process is since many of the others being observed were very young and inexperienced. I think that Selzer saw an opportunity to prove that technical writing is a lot more than sitting down and writing without any effort at all.
First, Selzer observes Nelson, an engineer in Chicago, to prove that there is more to the technical writing process. He explains that Nelson does a series of procedures prior to finishing a writing proposal or assignment. There are notes, drafts, outlines, plans, revisions, and etc. In his article Selzer stated that Nelson uses 80 percent of his time just arranging and brainstorming his writing project. That is a great deal of time for someone to spend on those two aspects of the assignment. Many people was their time thinking of complicated sentences or fancy word use that could ultimately take away from the writing.
Selzer also noticed information being re-used from previous assignments, which ultimately cuts down on time and work. When you are a technical writer there are many deadlines and other assignments waiting to be started and spending a long period of time on one piece is not feasible. This is why all the preparation that goes into writing a single assignment is crucial.
Next, while observing Nelson, Selzer directs a series of questions and comments about the certain things the writer does and why he does it. Even offering suggestions to see if Nelson would stray from one of his procedures. He wanted to know what Nelson was doing when it came down to his notes and revisions and why he was doing it.
In the short time that Selzer observed Nelson, he saw that the writer also considers the audience that will be receiving his pieces. Nelson writes very simple and "straight to the point" making it very simple for just about anyone to read and comprehend his writing, even when it is as difficult as engineering.
Finally, I think that Selzer was able to obtain a great deal of information from his one day of observations. I think that he accomplishes the task of letting us know that there is still a great deal more that he could have learned and observed. I think that also this was a way for him to prove that research is key for teaching young students how to go about writing about a certain subject. I know that when I was in high school, we were required to turn in and outline and two rough drafts and I think that in the end is has made it easier for me to go about writing and finishing an assignment well.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Blog 1: 1/14/2009
Describe the types of job titles that professional writers hold, the kinds of writing they do in these jobs, and the types of skills and knowledge they need to perform well in these jobs. What aspects of professional writing most interest you? What aspects of it would you like to learn more about?
Throughout reading the web links I have learned that there are many job titles that professional writers hold ranging from writing novels and screenplays to writing for textbooks and multimedia companies. As explained in the "Writers and Editors," Occupational Outlook Handbook, professional writers fall in to two categories, one being the writers and authors and the other being technical writers. Between these two categories professional writing could be considered the "blood, sweat and tears" of the way the business world functions. Without having such writers, there would be no way to reach out to the public and expand a business.
Professional writers look to achieve many goals while they are writing about their particular assignment. Some of these goals include possessing the power or persuasion and grasping the public's attention, informing consumers of the pros and cons of certain products, and creating a positive image and to be asked to write again since many writers and freelance and work for themselves.
For professional writers to be able to achieve these goals and to furthermore, keep their job, they need to have a background, as well as a degree, in the particular area in which they are writing for. If you do not have the knowledge or the "know-how" on what you are writing about you will not be able to produce a well throughout execution of the assignment. Many writers are familiar with technology, being that a computer is a huge asset in the writing profession. Many employers look for writers who can speak a second language and also will hire a writer in terms of their most concentrated skill. For example, a fashion merchandising major with a minor in English could be very useful to have writing about fashion other than the stock market. Also a writer should be open-minded and creative and obviously love to write.
I am very interested in being able to write about something you are passionate about. I think in that case it is not considered a "job" but instead a way for you to express yourself and enjoy every minute of it. I feel that it is also interesting from the readers point of view. For example, there are times when I am reading/listening something that the author was obviously passionate about and, in a way, it exudes out of the page, television, radio, etc. and I can feel that passion that was achieved. I would love to one day have that same affect on someone whether it is me writing for a company or perhaps my own novel.
I definitely feel I need to learn more about the writing itself and how they achieve the ideas that they are getting across.
Throughout reading the web links I have learned that there are many job titles that professional writers hold ranging from writing novels and screenplays to writing for textbooks and multimedia companies. As explained in the "Writers and Editors," Occupational Outlook Handbook, professional writers fall in to two categories, one being the writers and authors and the other being technical writers. Between these two categories professional writing could be considered the "blood, sweat and tears" of the way the business world functions. Without having such writers, there would be no way to reach out to the public and expand a business.
Professional writers look to achieve many goals while they are writing about their particular assignment. Some of these goals include possessing the power or persuasion and grasping the public's attention, informing consumers of the pros and cons of certain products, and creating a positive image and to be asked to write again since many writers and freelance and work for themselves.
For professional writers to be able to achieve these goals and to furthermore, keep their job, they need to have a background, as well as a degree, in the particular area in which they are writing for. If you do not have the knowledge or the "know-how" on what you are writing about you will not be able to produce a well throughout execution of the assignment. Many writers are familiar with technology, being that a computer is a huge asset in the writing profession. Many employers look for writers who can speak a second language and also will hire a writer in terms of their most concentrated skill. For example, a fashion merchandising major with a minor in English could be very useful to have writing about fashion other than the stock market. Also a writer should be open-minded and creative and obviously love to write.
I am very interested in being able to write about something you are passionate about. I think in that case it is not considered a "job" but instead a way for you to express yourself and enjoy every minute of it. I feel that it is also interesting from the readers point of view. For example, there are times when I am reading/listening something that the author was obviously passionate about and, in a way, it exudes out of the page, television, radio, etc. and I can feel that passion that was achieved. I would love to one day have that same affect on someone whether it is me writing for a company or perhaps my own novel.
I definitely feel I need to learn more about the writing itself and how they achieve the ideas that they are getting across.
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