Technical Writing- Summer 2013
Reflection Memo
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To: David Beach, Instructor
From: Emily Dick
Date: June 27, 2013
Re: Final Course Reflection
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I took this business and technical writing course this summer to finish up my English minor and
learn more about the writing process. Through our six-week course I have learned more than I
imagined and learned how to apply them in a real-world, career setting. In this final reflection
memo, I will explain what I have learned and how this class helped me to become a better
writing, while using one of the forms I learned in this class.
How have you seen yourself change as a writer over the semester?
Over the semester, I have learned how to write for an audience. I came into the class believing
that we wrote for our own personal needs, but I now understand that writing is based on the
audience’s interpretation. I have also learned to keep my writing simple and organized. Before I
write anything, I always plan in my head how I will present my idea in a logical manner.
Drawing from the assignments, what technical writing skills have you developed during the
semester?
The instruction assignment helped me a lot. We had to take something that is simple in our
own career path, and explain it to the common person. It was a lot harder than I thought it
would be, and it made me slow down my writing process and go through each step in a clear
and concise way. I also felt like the genre analysis helped my writing style. I learned to organize
a complex topic in a simple way. I was able to go in-depth on a topic, but lay it out in an
effective layout… like the memo I am using now.
Drawing from the readings, what are some new insights you have about technical writing?
Having the book as a reference for the basics of technical writing helped a lot, and I felt like it
really added to our in-class discussions. My favorite reading was one of the online supplements
about writer’s block. I was able to learn new tips to combat having writers block, and I never
realized how many different types of writers block there were.
Drawing from the class activities, what do you see as the "social" role of technical writing?
The class activities were very important to the content of this class. Everything we learned, we
applied. The in-class activity we did about explaining the steps to tying our shoes was very hard
for me, but helped me simplify my writing. I also really had to think, “Will someone be able to
understand what I mean?” My favorite part about the class was that it was discussion based,
and I was able to learn from my fellow classmates who were from very different majors.
What further skills do you want to develop as you progress as a technical writer?
Even though I learned a lot through this class, I feel like blogging was left out a bit, and I think
that it is an important form of writing now. It is a great way to integrate internet knowledge
with writing skills.
What did you find particularly useful in the course?
I found having a group to work with helped a lot. I enjoyed having the same group the whole
time so that we could build a relationship with them and come together for the final project.
What did you find not useful in the course?
I did not use the book as much as I thought I would. To be perfectly honest, I read the first few
readings and that was it because everything was discussed in class. I loved the class discussions,
and I felt like I learned a lot with them, I just wish I hadn’t spent $100 on a book for a six-week
course that I barely used. The online reading supplements gave you enough information
without us having to pay.
What feedback can you give me to improve future class?
The only thing I would add has to do with the blogging I mentioned above. I think if you had
students create a blog post every week to add to the final e-portfolio, it would be a nice way to
show the importance of blogging. Many employers now want people who know how to blog.
Also, keep the conferences; it was a nice way to touch base with you.
Thank you!