Essay of Self Assessment
A little over five years ago, if you were to ask me what I would be doing in May 2007, “graduating with a BA in English with an emphasis in Technical Communication,” would not have been the words flowing from mouth. I am a single mom and at that time was stuck in a middle-management job at an in-bound call center. Just shortly after 9-11 the call volume at work diminished and my job ceased to exist shortly thereafter. It was that one perfect time when my life stopped long enough that I took advantage of the opportunity to go back to college.
During my first year, I was exposed to basic English writing and composition. I actually liked writing and being creative, but it wasn’t the type of writing I had been doing for the last eight years or so. I had become used to inner-office memos, updating shift manager manuals, reports and email. During one of these English classes the professor came to me and suggested the technical communication emphasis. I couldn’t believe it – there was actually a degree that was offered in what I have been doing all along.
While technical writing may have been something I was doing on a daily basis in past employment – I found that there are terms; jargon involved with this and that there is a variety of programs and procedures to write well. I had been stuck in an office where I wrote about things that are familiar to me. Also, while it was not my practice – a lot of documents would be written once and then forgot about and there were times that I would spend several hours or even time over a couple of days where I would write a document and then it would never be published anywhere.
One great thing about technical writing is the fact that you, the writer, do not have to be an expert in the subject you are writing. One example of this is my Gas Scooter Evaluation Report. This paper was written in hopes that by the end of it, I would have obtained enough about gas scooters to write a proposal for motorcycle/scooter parking spaces at Missouri Western State University. And I did, but in reviewing the number of motorcycle/scooter parking permits purchased on campus on an annual basis, I chose to submit the proposal for grading purposes only. I did know a little about this before I started this report like the great gas mileage they offer, but researched more into the laws, insurance and other information that would be needed to analyze a real-world product. Another example is my Soil Incineration Scenario. I was given the ‘here is your topic’ speech after being introduced to different pieces in technical documentation including: a summary, ethical memo, technical definition, technical description, processes (including research) and a short report. I took something I have never heard of and created this scenario. I believe that not knowing a lot about a subject gives you an advantage. It allows you to look at a policy, procedure or subject differently as well as ask different questions from those people who may be familiar with the subject. In either event I am very satisfied with these documents because they were well thought out and well researched, and I loved every minute of it.
Something I have to admit is that I like using a couple of words in combination – ‘living’ and ‘document’. I know that words or documents can not breathe, but they do expand and grow - changing and maturing over time. One example of a living document is my RoboHelp: Design Editors Manual. I was required to create a set of help files for a business or organization—that we were a member of—and focus on the instructions we would leave if the boss or manager or leader or us, for that matter, were gone. I chose the Design Editor position on the Griffon Newspaper. I consider this one of those living documents because the editorial positions are constantly changing and adjusting to the staff hired each semester. Duties, responsibilities, even the pay scale change with them as well. I would not even know how to begin to revise this document for my successor but, much of the content will remain an excellent reference tool. Another example of a living document would be my Honors Policy and Procedure Manual. When I first began this document several semesters ago, many of the forms in the ‘Budget’ section were in paper form. Now, Missouri Western has changed from paper forms and procedures to computerized forms and procedures. You can still find the ‘Petty Cash’ voucher in paper form, but the Students’ payroll is an example of where it has changed from paper to computer procedure. And while these are a couple of examples of why a document may be a living document, there may be other reasons. One I find relevant in my list of writings in this portfolio, are the links. Some of the references, especially the links for websites, used in research have changed or no longer exist. I have noted this in my portfolio, but this is something that needs attention on a regular basis in order to keep a document – fresh – living – current for an audience who may depend on it for daily operations.
Often, especially in my case, I have found that due to things outside of your control, you may have writings that will go unpublished. The Shamrock Inn website is an excellent example of a well organized website that resulted out of cooperation between me and a helpful SME. My primary audience is for the patrons of the Shamrock Inn. I realized that a lot of the customers are mainly involved in pool and dart tournaments and therefore, tried to use calendars and rules of the game for convenience as well as reference. In addition, I took into consideration all of the other customers who may frequent a bar and made a very searchable and user friendly site to visit. Unfortunately, the manager of the bar decided not to renew his operating license, so these people will never see this site. In the same respect, I worked with a team of four total people on a policy and procedure manual for the First Ward House. The four of us worked together as a team. Our problems existed with the owner. When we went to the establishment to meet with him or the employees, they were always late and sometimes they never showed up at all. I felt this document is a little thin when it comes to content but, I am satisfied with this project with all things considered. This too will never be published due to closing of the establishment. While the two of these examples had opposite results when dealing with SMEs, they both ended up in the same situation. Frustrating - yes, but they make excellent examples of my writing style.
It still amazes me that there is a name for this – technical communication. It’s great – and here I am over five years later ready to accept my degree. I am glad that my life stopped long enough that I took advantage of the opportunity to go back to college. I have been able to learn new programs and procedures and process to writing. It is a comfort to know that I don’t have to be a know it all to write about something, technical writing is always fresh and continually changing and that even though my writing may not be published – that does not make me any less of a writer. I can’t wait to get started.
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