English271Burnettblog

Chapter 19

2006-11-28T11:09:00.000-08:00

In chapter 19, Preparing Proposals, Burnett talks about what it takes to make an effective proposal. The one part of the chapter that stood out to me the most is the section where she said that preparing a good proposal is easier if you know why so many are turned down or rejected. She then went on to list 10 main reasons why proposals are turned down. The list includes: lack of new ideas, unfocused research plan, and uncertainty concerning the future direction. I diffidently agree with this idea that it is important to know why proposals fail. If a proposal is presented and it is unoriginal, and doesn’t present a future plan of action to accomplish the proposed idea, it would be completely ineffective.

Chapter 21

2006-11-28T10:59:00.000-08:00

The final chapter in Burnett's book is about preparing instructions and manuals. In this chapter Burnett goes more in depth with instructions and manuals. While I was reading the chapter I found myself realizing that most of these points Burnett brings up are common things I notice or do with out thinking about it. One example is how Burnett talks about visual elements of instructions. Such as using a lightning bolt in a high voltage sign in order to get the point across more quickly or better. Burnett also talks about how international companies must put out instructions or manuals that come in multiple languages. This is also true for smaller companies whose employees 1st language varies, many of their instructions and danger signs will be in multiple languages. Burnett also talks about audience comparing adult instructions to kids instructions which I found to be self explanatory. Finally making sure the instructions are grammatically correct is a big issue. If you have instructions that are confusing to read or words that do not make sense this may give the person a completely different idea or they may disregard the sign and instructions.

Chapter 18

2006-11-28T10:38:00.000-08:00

In chapter 18 they talk about preparing correspondence. Unlike face to face conversations, correspondence documents interactions, which acn be checked or reffered to. This chapter shows you how to compose correspondence using appropriate planning, selecting appropriate content, and developing an appropriate organization so the document is legible, readable, and usable. Correspondence can be distinguished from other forms of technical communication in a few different ways: audience, composing and revising, datedness, and conventions. Correspondense typically adresses one person or and identified group. Since correspondence is normally written fairly quickly, it does not go through as much revisions. Correspondense usually deals with a current situation and is updated more frequently than other technical documents. And finally, since correspondence is prepared quickly, writers usually pay less attention to such mechanics as grammer, diction, and sequence of information.

Chapter 20

2006-11-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

As the Book is steadily coming to a close Burnett uses chapter 20 almost as a way to bring the entire book together. Throughout the previous chapters that we have blogged Burnett has described different types of technical writing and various needed techniques for writing, and in chapter 20 she brings all of these together and describes how to actually compose a technical report. As mentioned we have already blogged on almost everything that this chapter has to offer however we have not discussed the actual process of putting everything together therefore I thought we could discuss what techniques we used to compose our reports. Burnett gives five sections that every report should contain; 1.) Overview, 2.) Background, 3.) Recommendations, 4.) Evidence, and 5.) Discussion. I may have a different style of writing than most but what I started with for this report was the Evidence section. I went to the gant chart and I basically summarized the semester in a way that made me remember all the details of the assignments and activities. With the assignments fresh in my mind I then gave different recommendations as to what I would or wouldn't change in the course material and in each assignment. I was also able to give the background information such as what computer programs we used for the course. With that amount of information I was able to create the conclusion or the discussion section of the report by simply analyzing and summarizing the other two sections. After creating a conclusion I wrote the Overview or the Introduction by simply stating the purpose of the report,thesis statement, and giving a summary sentence from each section of the report.

Chapter 15

2006-11-15T22:28:00.000-08:00

In this chapter, Burnett discusses technical descriptions and how they can be used. We worked with technical descriptions in one of our in-class assignments. A technical description should included details such as what it is, its propose, characteristics like size, shape, color, and its parts. Burnett also discussed how we can use technical descriptions in our careers. If you were doing first-hand research, you would need to write down your observations and data to compose a technical description of the research. Another area where we might come across technical descriptions is in training materials for a new job. When we get our first jobs after graduating, our employers will us with documents describing the tools and systems that we will be working with. They will contain the necessary details to acquaint with our new job.

Chp 17

2006-11-08T18:29:00.000-08:00

This chapter is titled “Engaging in Oral Communication”. The main point of this chapter explains how to communicate your ideas and your plans effectively when giving an oral presentation. There are many different types of presentations that you can give in a variety of settings. The different settings will effect the audience’s expectations and thus your approach. Visuals, organization, knowing the information, and active involvement of the group you are speaking to are usually very important in order to have a successful presentation. I can relate to this in my interpersonal communications class. Knowing my audience, being organized, knowing the information, and using visuals will be reflected in the grade I received for various speeches.

Chapter 16

2006-11-07T07:33:00.000-08:00

The main point of this chapter is Process explanations. Straight to the point, a process explanation provides an overview or background regardless of the audience's specific tasks (Burnett, 580). Process explanations can help simplify something extremely technical like how wine is made, how hurricanes are tracked or how oil wells are drilled. The book has an example about wind turbines. A wind turbine is the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to create wind they use wind to make electricity. The action of a fan is reversed in which wind turns the blades, which turns a generator, which makes electricity. Most of us use process explanations to explain how or why we do things. In my job, I need to explain to the people I manage why we must separate packages that are delivered to cities in Minnesota from other packages. We have a guarantee that says any package being delivered from a Minnesota address to another Minnesota address will be delivered the next day. Anytime any of you explain why something is the way it is, or explain the benefits of a certain item you are using process explanations.

Chapter 14

2006-10-29T20:05:00.000-08:00

This chapter covers definitions. It talks about how some words have multiple meanings in different contexts, how words can symbolize other things and also how to figure out a definition. Every day I run into words that I have no idea what they mean. I have this problem most when I am studying for my chemistry class. I come across words and I have to look them up in the margin or in the glossary. This chapter made me realize how much I utilize the glossary or an online dictionary and how helpful they can be.

2006-10-26T10:31:00.000-07:00

TEAM KARL working on the best Soccer Game Card in the class

Chapter 13

2006-10-26T01:11:00.000-07:00

In this chapter, it deals alot with electronical communication. This type of communication is something that all of us use a lot here at MSU and I would assume in our every day lives. This ranges from cell phones to our PC's. Think of how fortunate we our to have all the information in the world so accessible to us. Ten years ago we were practically paging through the encyclopedia, today the encyclopedia is on the internet.
Also in the chapter it dealt a lot with web design. It talked about how websites are layed out and how things are linked on different sites for our use. It is interesting to see how some of these sites our layed out in a certain way so it can grab our attention for the needs and uses of the site. Web design is a new high priced industry today. The money people can make by creating sites for business's is amazing and well deserving. For a business it is just one huge advertisement and if it is set up right, an online store!$$$

Chapter 12

2006-10-19T10:06:00.000-07:00

Chapter 12 was about visuals in technical communications. Visuals aren't new, people have been using them for centuries dating back to DeVinci. Visuals are good in communication because they can be more specific then text and can be understood more clearly. The chapter also discussed incorporating visuals with text when and where to put them. Then the Chapter explained the 7 major functions of visuals (page 417-417) The chapter then talked about color and how it can hlep but also distract the reader.
A Good example of visuals in my daily ilfe is at work I use building maps that are color coordinated. I have a fire escape and water pump map I would use to give to firemen in case of an emergency. They color coordinated make it easy to find BLUE- for the water pumps. or RED for the escapes. Each floor has the color coded map and its much easier then reading a paragraph describing where each fire pump is. Visuals are very importatn for me for a quick review when I have to act fast to complete or show someone something in the building.

Chapter 11

2006-10-17T11:34:00.000-07:00

Chapter Eleven Designing Information gives a lot of techniques to help writers produce papers that are accessible, legible, comprehensive, readable, and usable. One of the techniques is arranging information in a way that is not confusing to the reader. In many of my classes I have to read instructions or procedures in how to do things, but they are confusing because of the way the information is arranged. In my computer drafting classes there are a lot of steps to drawing an object. In some of the directions they will ask you to go back to a step you did previously and start from there. It is hard to remember all the steps and would be easier if this step would have been put in when I was at that step.

Chapter 10

2006-10-12T11:05:00.000-07:00

Chapter Ten covers the organization of information in technical documents. The text states that difference in organization can lead to discrepancies. The text discusses methods to present information so that it is interpreted correctly. It suggests that outlines and PowerPoint’s be used to help present information. I have experienced different interpretations of information through my summer job. I was a crew chief so at the beginning of a day I would give out instructions for what needed to be done and how it should be done. After giving the instructions I would often find that jobs were not being done correctly or in the wrong order and so on. It wasn’t always the crews fault so much as mine for not realizing that just because I was thinking of the proper ways of completing a job did not mean that everyone else could read my mind.

Chapter 9

2006-10-03T10:39:00.000-07:00

In chapter 9 Burnett begins talking about usability. As Burnett explained it in the text, usability is the ease of using a program efficiently and easily. One of the examples that she brought up was different types of software that are out, and she asked how hard or easy was it to use. I know I have used some programs that were not user friendly and really frustrated me. One of them is MS Project, not when we used it in here because we did not go far enough in depth, but when I used in another class. One of the features that was hard use was the Predecessor feature. The program does not let you use a subtask as a predecessor. This was annoying and I found the program to be hard to use from that stand point.

Chapter 8

2006-09-26T11:31:00.000-07:00

In chapter 8, Burnett talks about revising and editing. She talks about the different types of revision and editing such as proofreading. In my lifetime I have to do a lot revision and editing, especially in school. Through out my high school years I had to take quite a few english classes and an acedemic writing class. We did a lot of editing and revision in the english classes, but especially in acedemic writing. Then when I went to college, I had to do two or three times as much work on each paper to make it be as clean and error free as possible. Although it seems like revising a paper will only help you as a student, it could also help you in your career. First of all, I would want my resume to be revised a few times so it can be perect with no errors. I would also use revision and editing in my career if I did such things as write memos or reports. That is why revising and editing is not just big for students, it is also very big for people searching for a career.

Chapter 7

2006-09-25T21:10:00.000-07:00

In chapter 7 burnett talks about Planning and Drafting. She says that a good writer is not concerned with how long the technical document is but how well you know it and have it planned out. She talks about the problem solving processes and strategies. When thinking about how this chapter relates to my everyday life I thought about the problem solving process. Everyday we are faced with problems and somehow we are supposed to solve them. Whether it is in the classroom, work or in your personal life they are always there. Even if we don't realize it we do follow the process of problem solving. For example I work at Kohl's in the jewelry Department and there are times when customers come in with watches that they have bought from Kohls to me back broken. The first thing that I do is figure out what the problem is (why the watch is broken) then I look at all of the solutions that could come out of this. I could return it, try to fix it or exchange it. I look at all the possibilites and I base my decision on my prior experience with other watches. Then I take action to solve the problem. By using the problem solving process it makes my job easier. It also makes your work easier for your documents or oral presentations by using this process as well.

2006-09-21T10:28:00.000-07:00

Chapter 6

2006-09-21T09:49:00.000-07:00

In Chapter 6, Burnett discusses strategies for locating and using credible information. We seek out and use information on a daily basis for many reasons, whether it be checking the weather to decide what clothes to wear or looking at information about political candidates to influence our voting decision. The way we access this information has changed drastically with the advent of the internet. When I started my college career in the fall of 1994, the internet I had access to did not have pictures or domain names. It was completely text based and had limited capabilities. Newsgroups were to that time, what blogs are to us today. In today's world we have access to nearly infinite resources online which can make research a lot easier. However it can also create problems relating to plagiarism and credibility. Burnett spends a lot of this chapter discussing ways to access electronic information effectively.

Chapter 5

2006-09-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

Collaborating in the workplace is the main topic in this chapter. The author discusses the pros and cons about collaborating at work, how to be a good collaborator, and the different types of collaboration. I have not had the opportunity to collaborate in the workplace yet, but have done it plenty of times when dealing with school projects. My favorite experience in collaborating to a project was for a physics course in which we had to make a video biography about a famous physicist. Our group of six contributed their small part to make the video worthwhile whether it was script writing, filming, acting, or in my case, editing. This project is a good example of when it is easier to collaborate because of the many different jobs that would be impossible for one person to do it alone.

Chapter 4

2006-09-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

In this chapter the author is talking about technical writing for different audiences. She emphasises on adjusting your writing based on their levels of expertise in the matter, organizational roles and purpose of motivation.
I totally agree in what the author is trying to convey, that different audiences based on their expertise and roles tend to lead to different motivations towards the information they're trying to gather from a presentation. But for this to be possible the information has to potrayed in the way that is useful and understandable to them. I experienced this in an internship I did where one of my duties was to write testing, operational and safety procedures for a new robotic system that was being installed. For example writing an operation procedure for a test engineer or electrician would involve voltage and current specifications, as opposed to a system operator whose interest was to know which button to press or command to send to the system on certain occassion.
Therefore it is clear that different audiences have to get information based on their expertise, roles and motivation. This will only be possible and successful if they are given what they need and how they need it.

Intro for Andrea Everson

2006-09-12T10:38:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is Andrea Everson. I am from Green Bay Wisconsin. I am now a junior here at Mankato. I transfered here last year from UW-Milwaukee because I wanted to try somewhere a little further from home. I am a Mass Communication major, with a minor in Speech Communication. I want to go into either Public Relations or Sports Broadcasting, but will basically just do wahtever job I get for the time being. I love going out and doing things and meeting new people, so feel free to say hi :)

English271Burnettblog

2006-09-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

Intro for Tony Bowe

2006-09-12T08:05:00.000-07:00

My name is Tony Bowe, and my major is Computer Science. I am taking Tech Com because it's a required class for my major. I've lived in the area near Mankato for my entire life. I could have gone away from here for college, but I like it here so much because I think it's a perfect blend of urban and rural.

Chapter 3

2006-09-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry I didn't get this up sooner guys, I had some internet problems this weekend.
I feel that as a college student, reading is very much a big part of my life. In the chapter there are four categories-reading to assess, reading to learn, reading to learn to do, and reading to do. I feel that in my college lifestyle, I find myself using every one of these categories. Before writing research papers, I read to assess. I skim, scan, and predict the readings as possible materials I will use for my research paper. When assigned chapters to read in class, I am using reading to learn. I am a terrible cook, so I definitly find myself reading boxes and labels of food as a way of reading to learn to do. Also, at the beginning of the semester I helped my family put all my new furniture together for my new room, and I definitly read the directions so I could understand what to do. This was a way of reading to do. As you can see, reading is a big part of the college lifestyle, and this chapter in Burnette really applies to my life.

Intro Kyle Rose

2006-09-07T10:51:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is kyle rose, i grew up in burnsville and graduated from burnsville senior high school with a class of over 1000 people. I am an Automotive Engineering Tech major. This is my third year here. Hoping to graduate in five years with an AET and MET degree. I live with six guys in a big house on w pleasant, we like to have a good time. if you hear of a party in a white house on w pleasant its probally my house and feel free to stop by.

Intro for Lisa Ahlness

2006-09-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

Hi! My name is Lisa Ahlness and I am a speech communication major. I am taking this class becuase it fufills one of the requirements that I need. This is my fourth year at MNSU and i will be five years to graduate. I work at kohls in the jewelry department and i have worked there for almost two years. I live in highland hills and I love it because it is in walking distance from campus.

Intro for Rion Erickson

2006-09-05T10:58:00.000-07:00

My name is Rion Erickson. I am a transfer student from University of Minnesota Duluth majoring in Management Information Systems through the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. I am a non-traditional student returning to college after 9 years in the workforce and a year in technical school for Local Area Networking and PC repair. I have broad working experience in the fields of customer service, sales, hospitality, telecommunications, and mortgage. After experiencing many different career fields, I have found I enjoy working in technical areas the most. I decided to return to college after experiencing, as well as seeing friends and family get tossed around in the ever changing corporate environment that exists today. I decided it was now or never if I was going to finish up a degree and I thought Minnesota State, Mankato would be a good place to do it. I enjoy the outdoors, running, biking, inline skating, camping and golf. I also have a great passion for music and like many different styles. I have been playing guitar and singing for about 10 years.

Chapter 2

2006-09-04T17:19:00.000-07:00

Throughout these past couple of years it has been extremely important for me to be more culturally aware. I am in an interracial relationship, my partner being Haitian and myself being Caucasian. He has definitely opened my eyes to a new world. I’ve learned different actions and behaviors that I overlook everyday are considered extremely rude to him, and vice versa. Some of the actions and behaviors that he carries have gotten him where he is today and are some keys that I know can be applied to my life in the work environment, along with everyday life.
Understanding his culture is a very important thing to me, therefore I like to ask a lot of questions. Making foods how his mother would brings him back home (mentally) and gives me a piece of his culture. Also allowing me to listen to phone conversations of his mother speaking some Creole to him inspires me to learn even more about his culture.We run into different people with different cultures everyday, therefore it is important for us to be open and willing to learn and accept.

Intro for Brian R

2006-09-04T16:02:00.000-07:00

I grew up in Cottage Grove, MN. This is my fourth year of college, second year at MSU. I'm majoring in Law Enforcement. I went to Inver Hills Community College for two years and was working on a Aviation degree. I switched my degree to law enforcement due to the status of the aviation industry. I still plan on getting my private pilots license sometime in the future. This course is required for my degree. Thats about it...

Joe Kempf's Intro

2006-09-03T17:19:00.000-07:00

I was born in Warrenville Illinois but grew up in Eagan MN. I graduated Rosemount High School in 06 and I am a freshman at MSU. I am majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I'm really into fishing and snowboarding. My favorite place to fish is in Crosslake MN and my favorite place to snowboard is Mt. Bachelor Oregon. I have an older sister, and a younger brother and sister.

Intro for Tamara

2006-09-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

I am Tamara Galloway- 21 years old. this is my 4th year in college my 3rd at MSU. I have My AA degree in communications I am finishing up my BA in Mass Comm, with extent in public relations and I'm minoring in Speech.
I bought my own home this past summer, and got engaged this summer. I'm a pretty busy girl, I work full time as a security guard and part time as a hostess at a restaruant. I live up in the cities and commute to Mankato on Tuesday's and Thurday's. I like Ice Cream, going to movies, listening to music and partying!!!

Intro for Corey Lillie

2006-09-01T04:29:00.000-07:00

I grew up in Austin, Minnesota and graduated from Austin High School in 2004. I then went to Riverland Community College in Austin for two years and got my AA degree. This is my first year at MSU and I am planning on majoring in computer science.

Derik's Intro

2006-08-31T13:14:00.000-07:00

Hey, this is Derik Garry, a Speech Communications student here at MSU. I have been here in Mankato since 2000, yeah I know, a long time. I was once a Marketing student but then took some time off and decided to come back to school with a different major. Besides in the process of finishing school I really enjoy playing golf, softball, camping, and other outdoor activities. This summer I kept busy by bartending at the Big Dog Sports Cafe at night and working for my stepdads lumberyard, in Truman, MN. Truman is a smaller town in southern Minnesota.

April's introduction

2006-08-31T11:57:00.000-07:00

Introduction
My name is April Bayerkohler. I am a Junior this year at MSU, majoring in Dietetics. Originally I am from New Richland, Minnesota, where I grew up with my mother, father, and three brothers. I was very active in high school with running, cheerleading, band, and dance, just to name a few. I chose MSU, Mankato because it is close to home, and going into college I was unsure of what field I wanted to study. After two years of being undecided I finally chose to study Dietetics, because nutrition has always interested me, and having taken a few intro classes I decided Dietetics was something I could see myself doing the rest of my life. I hope to end up working at either a hospital or an office in a gym type setting. I hope to end up in a medium to large size city or a suburb of the Twin Cities. In order to succeed in my major I am required to take several courses, ENG 271 being one of them.

Intro for Katie Zappa

2006-08-31T11:48:00.000-07:00

My name is Katie. I am a junior at MSU. I am majoring in Dietetics and hope to become a Pediatric and Adolescent Dietition. I enjoy sports, movies, being active, hanging out with my friends, meeting new people and spending time with my family. I am an outgoing individual, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Intro for Jon H.

2006-08-31T11:43:00.001-07:00

I am Jon Homan, from Madison, Wisconsin. I spent two years at Bethany Lutheran College to get my general education credits done. Now I get to take classes that I am actually interested in. Over the summer, I had an internship through a small startup company located in Mountain View, California. This startup is developing a web browser, Flock, for the social web. I worked as a support intern and was responsible for responding to support requests.

I am an open-source advocate. I believe in a free, open computer software. I am a big fan of Ubuntu, Firefox, Thunderbird and Flock. My blo g has several articles on my personal interests along with my thoughts on random pieces of technology.

Intro To Travis

2006-08-31T11:43:00.000-07:00

My name is Travis Hempel, I am in my 3rd year of school at MSU. I grew up in Granite Falls, Mn. I am majoring in construction management. I work with a local concrete company in between my class schedule and throughout the summer. I enjoy all types of hunting, fishing and sports activities.

Intro for Cory W

2006-08-31T10:42:00.000-07:00

My name is Cory Woodard, I am in my 4th year at MSU Mankato, I spent my first two years as an Automotive Engineering Technology major, and after deciding I felt more comfortable with computer programs and analysis, I switched to Computer Science. I enjoy a variety of water sports, including skiing, jet skiing, and wake boarding. I love to work with computers, whether it's building them, fixing them, or gaming on them.

Intro to Rob L.

2006-08-31T10:31:00.000-07:00

My name is Rob, I am currently attending MSU with a major in Computer Engineering Technology. When I am not in school, I work for FedEx Ground, and I am the P.M. Manager. When I am not in school or working I enjoy listening to music and sitting at my computer.

The best way for my way to introduce myself is for people to ask questions. I am willing to answer questions from people, which allows them to ask what they want to know, as well as allowing myself to explain things without rambling on about things.

Intro for Derek

2006-08-31T10:25:00.000-07:00

I grew up in Lino Lakes Minnesota. I graduated from Centennial High School in 2005. My major is MET. Some of my hobbies include hunting, fishing, soccer, and hockey. I also have a pet dog, her name is Bailey and she is two years old. She is a Black and Tan Coonhound with a little bit of Black Lab mixed in there. I take her pheasant hunting with me whenever I get the chance to go. My favorite spot to vacation is probably in Mcgregor Minnesota, on Big Sandy Lake. My girlfriend owns a resort on the lake so I spend much of my summer up there. When I am not in school down here in Mankato, I work full time in the summer for the City of Lino Lakes. I work in the utilities department so I have to with the cities water system. I have worked there for the last three summers.

Chapter 1

2006-08-30T21:41:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the lateness, but I got EXTREMELY busy last night and today.

I have experience some of the constraints that were talked about in chapter 1. I work at a car dealership, and I update the website’s inventory. I have to deal with constraints in data collection a whole lot. For example, the sales associates are supposed to fill out information sheets about cars they get on trade in, however they are not always complete, and I have to deal with the fact that there is very little information provided for me to put online. Also, I have to learn all the features of the new models we get in and make sure that I list them accurately on the web site. That can be very tough because we sell Chevy, Nissan, and Volkswagen, and they all have different features on all of their vehicles. Finally, I have to deal with time constraints in collecting data on used cars because I always have a lot of cars to add on the site, and I don’t have time to get every little feature they have.

Test

2006-08-30T12:43:00.000-07:00

TESTING!!!

2006-08-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

first blog from Derik

2006-08-29T11:49:00.000-07:00

Just Checking?? DID this work

Welcome!

2006-08-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Engl 271-05 Fall 2006 Burnett blog. In this blog we are going to discuss each chapter in Rebecca Burnett's textbook, Technical Communication, as one of the main assignments for English 271-05 at Minnesota State University, Mankato. The way it works is that each student blogs a chapter in Burnett. Every other student leaves a comment on that blog each week. By the end of the semester, we will have blogged the entire book.

What are you going to write in your blog entry? Here's the topic: How does my life (at work, at university, at home) connect with the content in this particular chapte? For example, you might be a long distance runner. That means that you might keep very detailed records about your training runs: distance, weather, time, and conditions. In this case you would make connections with chapter content and your record keeping (as a kind of technical document.)