John DeGrey
Bountiful, UT 84010
November 30, 2019
Future Students
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT 84123
Dear Future Students:
While taking Technical Writing, I was able to learn and apply all the English Threshold Concepts as well as some of the SLCC’s General Education Learning Outcomes. Specifically, a lot of writing as I completed different types of documents. Rhetoric as I studied numerous examples of these documents. Action as I would respond to questions or create documents that solve a purpose. Deliberation as I would develop tactics to create these documents. Engagement as these writings often included researching and revisions. Contingency as I would focus my writing towards a specific audience.
In terms of the GE Learning Outcomes, I practiced communicating effectively by developing skills in formatting and do’s and don’ts in written communication. I developed quantitative literacy skills necessary for my chosen field of study by focusing my writing into my end career field. I thought critically and creatively by creating and designing a brochure that was both informal and esthetically pleasing by utilizing the C.R.A.P. design.
During this semester, my writing and professionalism has increased dramatically. My biggest strengths that I have developed from this course has been professional writing between my peers and co-workers. This has been evident from my superior’s responses when I have had to send them an email, letter, memo etc. regarding a question or concern. Learning about letter and memo formats have helped me develop these skills the most. As well as the writing project as part of my job and future career is to create articles similar to the one I submitted earlier in the semester.
The first part of the semester I found to be very difficult and hard to grasp. I think this was in part of all the different concepts I had to learn as well as the numerous assignments and readings. At first, it didn’t feel like I was learning much of anything and was more of a refresher of what I already knew. After the mid-term, I realized I actually learned a lot and was already applying what I learned in other classes as well as work and personal life. Since realizing this, I became a lot more mentally engaged and enthusiastic about the learning material that made it easier to master these skills. Beyond this class, I am still developing my skills in IEEE referencing format as well as professional writing in my field.
During this class I have created a lot of documents related to my field. If I had to choose one as my best work, I would choose User Guide I create for the written project. This was my best as I applied a lot the skills I learned during that module such as formatting, abstracts, references, table of contents, table of figures, and structure. This was also the longest assignment I have spent the most time on with all the revisions I made and research I conducted.
In terms of how diverse our community is, the design project has taught me the most about how to appeal to this diversity. During the design project, I learned that when you design with a mindset of accessibility first, it makes your end product more easily accessible than if you were to design with accessibility after. This is especially important if you don’t want to limit your target audience. This has taught me to always be mindful in terms of accessibility so that less people are left out.
Besides this course, I am also currently taking a class in conflict management. These two classes I felt complimented each other on a level where I would almost get them mixed up. Both have taught me about how to be professional and respectful when communicating to others. In Technical Writing, I learned how to use my words strategically to get my purpose across without boring the reader and present my information tactfully. In my conflict management class, this was taken a step further as I learned which words can mean what and how to communicate in a way that is constructive and not destructive.
Given all that has been said, Technical Writing has been a very beneficial course for my profession. I have developed the skills necessary to succeed in my end career field and have enhanced current skills. I have already seen tremendous improvement in my current career with my written communication. I strongly encourage anyone working towards a technical field to take this course as you will develop the skills necessary to succeed.
Sincerely,
John DeGrey
This section includes my best work from this course. Using the tabs above, you can click around to view my work.