Post 7 - Reflections

Coming into this class, I had a really good command and understanding of the English language, including writing. However, I tend to write overly complex statements and use not so common language because I found simple language dull. This semester, I also took two other writing classes. I was able to take what I learned from this class and apply it to writing creative short fiction. Through this class, I came to realize the beauty of simple language and to appreciate it much more.

Over the semester, the four major projects we completed taught me various ways of thinking, approaching, and overcoming obstacles in writing.

Project 1 - The Instruction Project: This project encouraged us to partner up with a pre-selected teammate. Together, the teams created a "How To" project in simple, easy set of instructions for a volunteer to follow. By doing this project, I learned how to cut the flowery, complicated language and use straightforward, plain, affirmative phrasing. By using simple language, I found it easier to communicate with not only our volunteer, but my partner.

Project 2 - Resumes and Interviews: This project was about marketing ourselves. I got to touch up on writing resumes, as the last time I wrote one was in my senior year of high school ('07-'08). It was another lesson in cutting the unnecessary and encouraging interest for potential employers. Of course, this project was also about how to dress, speak, and present ourselves to employers, which is useful for the job market. By cutting the unnecessary and putting things that make ourselves more desirable, chances of obtaining jobs in our desired fields.

Project 3 - Visual Media: I had the most fun with this project. With this project, we learned that Power Point is not the end all, be all when it comes to presentations. It also reinforced the communication skills that were picked up in the previous section with project two, but we got to pick our topics. I picked cosplay because it was another taste of culture in addition to being a fun hobby. By completing this project, I was able to successfully teach others about cosplay, unlike the spring semester when I took a communication class. I was able to reinforce my public speaking skills, which is useful in the workplace.

Project 4 - Proposals: I learned to delegate and work with others for a large project. It was a combination of the previous three projects, which pulled everything together for this class. It wasn't an easy project, as I constantly stressed, but it also taught me to put faith in my teammates, who all did wonderful work. By combining everyone's strengths, we were able to pull off our proposal. Was it perfect? No, and I think that was my fault. But everyone did well with speaking, researching, writing, and working together. It also taught me that just because I was the "team lead" for the project, it doesn't mean that I had to do everything or stress as much as I did. I worry and stress about a lot.

In closing, I want to encourage young writers to do what they believe in. Technical writing is great for breaking into the business. Being a technical writer is a more secure income than writing creatively. The doesn't mean to quit writing creatively, but writing technically is a worth while skill to posses. Keep aspiring. Keep writing. It'll take you anywhere.

Found in a Google Search.

Post 6 - Blogs and Blogging

I didn't think that I'd ever have a blog. I more than likely won't maintain a blog after this semester, as it still feels awkward to do so. However, I'm glad that I did experience blogging. It was interesting to experiment with the blogs.

If I had to blog, I would imagine it would be for personal use. It would be more of a want to than a have to, which would be great. And even though I more than likely won't continue blogging, I did come across some other blogs that pertain to some of my hobbies and interests. I recommend checking them out if you yourself are into these hobbies. Note: All pictures used have been obtained from their individual websites.

A link to Otaku House's site.

Otaku House has wonderful blogs about cosplayers around the world. It introduces newcomers to the hobby of cosplay, as well as allow other cosplayers to see others in the hobby in other countries. Take a look! These cosplayers will impress you!

Cards Against Humanity's Blog.

On a darker side, Cards Against Humanity is one of the world's most outrageously hilarious and disturbing games. Ironically, they have a blog, too! Okay, it's more of a vlog, but still. Hilarity promises to ensue. WARNING: This game and its blog are not for the faint of heart or the easily offended.

Penny Arcade's site.

Penny Arcade is an interesting blog, as the writers also implement comics, and just not words on a webpage. The comics are funny and engaging. I think that this will be a blog I will follow.

Post 5 - Research and Proposals

Proposals are a big task to handle for one person. It's important to have a team that will work well and responsibly. It's also important to have a leader instead of a boss.

From personal experience, it's difficult to accept responsibility for a team, but well worth the risk involved. It's also remember that there is a difference between being a boss and a leader. If you're ever elected or chosen to spearhead a group proposal project, here is some advice.

Image retrieved from Google search.

-Always listen to other people's suggestions. It's important to give an ear to your fellow teammates. Listening to their suggestions allows you to look at the project in a different light. Other people can offer insight.

-Compromise is key. If two people offer great ideas, it's important to compromise. It's possible to combine ideas to make everyone happy and get a great proposal.

Image found on Google search.

-It's important to delegate. Delegate, not assign everything to everyone else. Leaders always pull their weight. When everyone does their part, everyone is happy and no one feels slighted. It's tough to delegate roles, because it may feel that you, as a leader, aren't doing your share of the work.

-Thank your teammates. If anything, always thank your team after a hard day's work. Teammates aren't working the project because they want to. By thanking your team for their work, you build morale among them. It also shows you appreciate their time and energy that has been invested.

Blog Post 4 - Visual Media and the Oral Presentation

Visual media presentations do NOT equal Power Point. It's very sad, but true. But, depending on the site that you use, visual media presentations can be fun and exciting.

The purpose of visual media projects is to help convince audiences of your way of thinking, to buy something, or to call for action. By using these projects, it is possible to not only tell an audience, but to show them, too. By utilizing passion, common interests, and effective visual displays, it's possible to sell, convince, introduce, or educate products and ideas.

Today, I'm going to recommend two sites for visual media presentations.

Image from Slides.com

 Slides.com is an excellent site for the first time presenter. It is the site that is closest to Power Point, easy to use and navigate, and great for presentations. Users can change the background color, upload images and use them in presentations, and the site offers a variety of text sizes, colors, fonts, and options. It may be a bit confusing at first, but the site offers tutorials to help the user acclimate to the site. The best feature to me was the auto save feature. If I forgot to save, I didn't have to worry due to the auto save. It was a real time saver in the end. Another awesome feature was the ability to remotely control the presentation by phone.

Image from Prezi.com

 The second site is Prezi.com. I personally didn't use this site, but the presentations I've seen are amazing. My teammates and I used Prezi for our team proposal project because it's very interactive. I'd still prefer to use Slides over Prezi, simply because when I worked to edit our project, I found that it was a bit harder to use and navigate.

In the end, there are multiple sites out there that offer different features, It's best to find the one that works best for you as a user.