This is a Power Point presentation on what I have learned throughout the first half of the semester of my Professional Writing class at Florida Gulf Coast University.
2. Over the semester I have learned…
Chapter 1: The Writing Process- Audience Analysis
Chapter 2: Workplace Technology
Chapter 4: Correspondence
Chapter 10: Style & Clarity
Chapter 7: Design & Visuals
3. Chapter 1: The Writing Process
The most valuable knowledge I gained from this chapter is
Audience Analysis
Complaint letter assignment helped me understand audience analysis the most
You are able to customize what you have to say to your targeted audience in
the most effective way possible
4. Chapter 1 Continued
In the future, no matter the setting, I will always find this tool to be helpful.
Writing a cover letter to future employers or trying to get significant other to
understand my point of view, it is always helpful to understand who it is you are
speaking to so you can most effectively understand how to communicate with
them
5. Chapter 2: Workplace Technology
As a millennial and someone who knows a fair share about technology, I believe
it is normal to use laptops, cell phones, and tablets in the work place.
I also believe that general technology skills are more than required but almost
assumed that you already possess these skills.
I cannot imagine meeting someone in the work place who does not know how
to operate Microsoft Word or simply be able to Google something
6. Chapter 2 Continued
Learning about using technology in the work place and what types of technology can be
beneficial to your company, like blogs and forums, can be helpful in reaching your
customers.
Since I am someone who has grown up with technology evolving around me, I can only
see technology becoming more and more present within our workplaces no matter our
fields. I’m not a marketing major or a social media guru but I do believe knowing which
forms of technology are best for your company can really help your success.
7. Chapter 3: Correspondence
In the Correspondence chapter I learned most about business correspondence among
different cultures. I thought this was a very different point of view even though it is very
important to include since many business people do international business at some point
in their careers.
When I did some research on the potato chip company, I was surprised to find out that
these chips were not based in the United States but over in the United Kingdom. This could
explain why I was not a fan of some of their marketing or descriptive wording trying to get
people to purchase these chips which are very comparable to Lays.
8. Chapter 3 Continued
In the section about international business correspondence, I found it very interesting to
read that someone from the US may write a very short and concise email and someone
from elsewhere in the world may write a very long 3-4 page letter email. While both are
looking to establish a relationship between the business and the consumer, I thought it was
very interesting to read.
I am looking forward to hopefully doing business with people overseas. It would also be
great if I would be able to visit their countries to learn more about their culture and the
way they communicate with one another in person in comparison to how things work in
the United States. I will have to be cautious going into my career to try to remember that
all emails I write may not be read by the same people from the same areas so trying to
understand as much as possible is vital for success.
9. Chapter 10: Style & Clarity
In the Style & Clarity chapter I learned the most about the awkwardness section.
While this was entertaining to read, I did take it seriously because I know sometimes I may
not be the best communicator even though it usually makes sense to me. One part of the
textbook I really learned the most from was when it referred to the sub section under
awkwardness called Sexist Language. Growing up with very strong females in my family, I
have always been corrected to use words that could be talking about a man or a
woman. For example, police officer instead of police man. I never really took into
consideration that changing the order of a sentence could make such a difference.
Instead of saying ladies and gentlemen, it could also be gentlemen and ladies.
10. Chapter 10 Continued
Learning these practices provides for great professionalism and cautions you to be careful
about the words you use when speaking to someone. This section also ties in with cultural
differences. While my girlfriend and I come from very different backgrounds, she finds it
very offensive when people use the word retarted in a negative way and now after
reading this chapter it makes more sense as to why she does not like it.
This will probably be one of the most useful things I will learn in my entire college career. I
not only think it is important to use these concepts in my writing but also when I speak. I
believe not carrying awkward-ness in my writing or speaking will show that I am successful,
even if that may not be true at that time.
11. Chapter 7: Design & Visuals
This was by far my favorite section that we have learned about this semester. I have
always had a passion for design and visuals but have not been able to convey what I
wanted to say through them. I really like pairing the visual images with descriptive text to
help the reader see exactly what I am seeing. I never knew that so much research goes
into aspects like this.
I printed out the Writer’s Checklist which is below the 7.2 figure to help remind me what to
look for when designing something to accompany my writing.
By being able to put design and visuals with your writing you are able to limit the reader or
viewer what it is you want to put into their minds. This is a great and concise way to allow
them to directly understand what it is you are looking to show them.
I have recently started my own business and I now know how to add design elements to
the descriptions I have on my products. By effectively taking photographs or adding in clip
art to my descriptions I will hopefully continue this upward slope.
12. Works Cited & References
https://pixabay.com/en/graduation-graduate-student-happy-149646/
http://ofwllc.com/blog/
https://pixabay.com/en/photos/conversation/
http://stompandclay.com/about-us-2/
The Business Writer’s Companion by Gerald J Alred and Charles T. Brusaw, 7th Edition
