Speaking of criticism

Speaking of criticism… I just had my performance review for Richland.  I was so nervous, which is unusual, but it was a hard week for me, having learned of a tragedy involving one of my students that weekend.  I believe I will receive a favorable review because my dean got involved with the conversation.  (I love it when that happens).  Plus, her response to me after class was good.

It’s a Process… Baby!

My favorite and most widely used writing tool is the WRITING PROCESS.  I teach it in every English class I teach.  I usually spend a whole lesson, if not class period on it.  This is the most essential tool a writer can have in their arsenal.

The writing process is… prewriting, drafting, editing, revising, and publishing.

The writing process breaks the writing down into bite size pieces that can ease a writer’s anxiety, as well as ensure that they complete the writing assignment in a timely manner.  It also guarantees that all areas of writing will be covered.

I use this tool regularly whenever I write something.  From start to finish, I cover all five steps.  There are times when I combine some steps, but I cover all of them.

Prewriting is a fun step for me.  It has changed since I worked on Master’s Degree because I now include research in all of the writing I do, instead of just academic writing.  I never considered doing research for non-fiction writing, but after working on my Capstone, I realize how important and effective it is.  I’m a big believer in outlining.  It’s where I figure out my story.  I probably go too deep with my outlines, but they work for me.  I have had to revisit my outlines on a couple of occasions, but they are still helpful.

Drafting is a hard step for me.  It requires me to focus, think, drain myself, and turn off my inner editor.  It’s the part of the process that provides a sense of accomplishment for me.

Editing and revising (they should be done separately, but I tend to combine them) are tedious because they require me to reread what I wrote, dissect it, and tear it down to make it better.  It’s hard work annihilating my writing in a way that will make it sound and read better.  Yes, annihilating is a harsh word, but that’s how I feel about editing and revising.

Publishing is enjoyable.  I like having people read my work.  That’s why I write.  One of these days, I’m going to make money from my writing. J

In every profession, there are tools of the trade.  These tools are valuable and should be used.  In writing, there are many tools that can be used.  The Writing Process is a valuable tool to know and use.

Now that’s an e-Portfolio!

When I began teaching 2311, I discovered the e-portfolio as a job search attribute while looking at the textbook as I designed the class.  It intrigues me, as an assignment to give to the class, as well as a useful tool.

I’ve never used an e-portfolio in my job search, but in the future, I plan to use it when the opportunity presents itself.  It’s a great way for employers to get to know you.  You can showcase yourself, and the employer can see who you are before ever meeting you.

If you look at my e-portfolio, you will learn about me as a professor.  You can see what classes I have taught, view sample syllabi, as well as sample assignments.  Also, you can see where I’ve worked and my letters of recommendation.  You get an overall picture of me.  One thing I eventually want to include is videos of me teaching classes.

When viewing my e-portfolio, you can get a good view of me as a writer.  I include many of my writings, both published and unpublished.  I think I show my writing skills successfully.  I have this section for two reasons, other than just to showcase my writing skills.  I want people to read my work, and I want to inspire people with my writing.

Overall the e-portfolio is a great way to showcase yourself.  Even if you don’t use it to showcase yourself, it’s a great way to create a monument to remember your successes in life.

Bad Habits All Around

Changing a bad habit is hard to do, but it can be done.  We must remember that a habit is just behavior, and behavior can be changed.

For most people, change is hard.  It’s hard because once something becomes routine, we don’t like to change our routines.  Writing is no different.  We develop habits when we write.  Whether it’s a common error or style of writing, we develop them, often times, not even realizing that we have this habit.

I don’t know that I have any “bad” writing habits, maybe too many comma errors, but I don’t think of any as bad.  I have a weird writing habit. I like to handwrite my first draft, but I can only write it on a particular style of paper. The paper is only sold at the beginning of the school year at Wal-Mart.  I generally have to stock up on it as well.  I also have a certain type of pen that I like using.  I can use other types of pen, but I feel better using my favorite style.  The only thing about my favorite style is that it is only sold in a 12 pack set, which includes two of them.  Thankfully, the other colors of the pen are cool, and I like using them.

Changing a habit takes patient and dedication.  Once I heard that something becomes a habit when you do it 21 times in a row.  I usually try the same thing when unlearning a habit.

Wikipedia… It has it’s Place, But Not in an Academic Essay

Wikipedia is a good starting point for person to begin their research.  It gets your brain to thinking about the subject matter, as well as provides links to other sources that may give you some ideas as well.

The biggest problem with Wikipedia is that regular people, who often don’t verify their sources, or provide accurate information, write the information.  It’s not verified or checked in any way either.  There’s no editor.  No experts review the site.

I remember one time Wikipedia kept saying that comedian Sinbad was dead.  Mike and Mike discussed it on air, and Greeney was very upset with the Wikipedians.  Calling them out for writing the false information.  It took a while for the site to get the information correct.

To use a source, remember to evaluate it using the following items:

·         Authority

·         Currency

·         Accuracy

·         Objectivity

·         Usability

·         Appropriateness

Constructive Criticism

I typed “define Constructive Criticism” in Google, and nothing came back.  Wonder why?  Who knows, but we face criticism everyday.  I’m not sure how I feel about constructive criticism, because in general, the person giving the criticism thinks it’s constructive, and most of the time the person receiving the criticism feels as if it’s deconstructive.

Getting advice or feedback is a good thing.  It helps you grow as a person.  We need it in all aspects of our lives, even in the workplace, which can be hard on us.  Workplace criticism is hard to deal with because it can cost you your job, but if given in a constructive way, it will benefit both the employee and the company.

I work well with criticism.  I’m a self-actualizer, so I’m pretty self-aware, and usually know when I need improvement.  One thing I do hate is when I think I’m doing well, but find out that I’m not, simply because I wasn’t told what I needed to do.  I can’t do something if I don’t know about it.

I have a performance review coming up soon.  We'll see how it goes.

Mama, I Am a Writer...

What can I say about writing?  A lot, since I am a writer.

I think back to the first time I told my mother I wanted to be a writer.  It was an exciting time for me, but I don’t think my mother fully understood my excitement.

I can now say… “Mama, I am a writer!”

Still not sure she will understand my excitement, but I know she’s proud.

Writing is a form of catharsis that can lead to one freeing themselves of past hurts, discovering new loves, fulfilling dreams, and expressing their thoughts.  It’s good to write.  Writing in general accomplishes this more than technical writing.

Technical writing is different than writing in general.  Technical writing requires you to look at how the document looks, as well as how it sounds.  Writing generally requires that you make sure it is error free, often not focusing on the look of the document.  With technical writing, you must ask, am I using the correct colors, is the font okay, does the layout of the page make sense, am I focusing on the correct things in the document to get my point across?

While tech writing and writing in general are different, I think every writer, writing in general, should think about the presentation of their document.  It is key to make sure you present your document in a way that will present yourself as the best.

After I began taking my technical writing classes in college, I began to pay attention to the items I was reading.  Becoming a technical writer, changed how I view all documents, whether they are general documents or technical documents.  I often want to be hard on students when they turn in assignments.  I must remember that they aren’t writers like me, and most of them don’t have a minor in technical writing.

Writing for me is so much fun… even the technical stuff.

Weeks 4-6

Weeks 4-6 are fun weeks for me in Tech Writing.  The students begin their e-portfolios, learn about organizing, and learn about page design.

I enjoy the page design assignment the best.  It’s a fun assignment where the students redesign a “poorly” designed document to make it look better.  It’s fun to see what the students come up with.

Many students dislike the e-portfolio assignment.  They generally don’t feel like they have anything to put in it of value.  By the end of the semester, they see the value, as well as see how their work has progressed throughout the semester.  I use an old school portfolio (although the students turn it in electronically) for my 1301 classes.  It helps them see they progress as well.

I think showcasing one’s writings help them see that they can write and produce good work.

The Writing Process

The Writing Process is important to every writer, no matter the level they are at in their writing endeavors.

The steps are: Pre-Writing, Writing, Editing, Revising, & Publishing.

I tell my students… “You engage in the Writing Process every time you send a text, but you don’t realize it.”

1. Pre-Writing: You think about the message you want to send, and who you want to send it to.

2. Writing: You write out the text.

3. Editing & Revising: You look at the text to see if it says all you want it to say.

4. Publishing: You send the text.

As an English professor, I feel that this is the best skill I can teach my students.  To break the writing down into smaller steps.  It will make writing easier.  I go through the steps in class for each assignment, but I don’t tell them that it’s a step in the writing process.  I may have to start doing this.

Most of my students appreciate being taught the process.  It often lets them know that they don’t have to do everything in one step…  writing is a process.  If I can get my students to learn that one thing… I feel like I’ve overcome a great obstacle.

Technical Writing Skills

Technical Writing is an important skill for professionals.  Most people don't think about being a technical writer, but, many of them it.  When writing memos, emails, and other communication used on a job, it is technical writing.  So, learning a little about how to write technical documents is key for every employee.

Technical Writing is one of the reasons I was hired at one of the colleges I teach at.  The dean saw that I had a Tech Writing minor, and my resume caught her attention.  I got the minor because it was a way for me to take computer classes.  I never imagined it would get me hired.

I often encourage my students to add technical writing as a skill on their resume.  I feel that it gives them an advantage that most other applicants don’t have.  I think any advantage you can have when getting your resume viewed helps.

I also encourage my students to display their work from the class in their e-portfolios.  This also showcases their talents.

Teaching College Students Tech Writing

What is Technical Writing (Communication)?  "Technical communication is the exchange of information that helps people interact with technology and solve complex problems" (Lannon 3).

What are the kinds of Technical Communications? Instructions, User Manuals, Reports, Memo, Procedures, Letters, etc. (3).


I remember taking Technical Writing as a college student... Long, long ago, in a far away land. :)  It was a fun class for me.  I created a web site, had to revise a document for a major project, and a few other things.  I don't remember much from the class, except that I created a web site and the redesigned project.  But I know I enjoyed the class.

I don't know what the website was about.  The redesigned project was a member handbook for the church I was gong to at the time.  They never used my redesigned book. :(

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I wonder if in 20+ years, will my students remember anything they learned or did in my Tech Writing class?  #nowifeelold


I hope they do.  I hope they remember that I taught them that they can be creative even when following a required format.  I hope they remember that being a Technical Writer can be fun.  I hope they remember that writing is hard work, but worth it.  I hope they remember that good writing comes from practice.

Even if they only remember an assignment or two for the class, I hope taking this class was well worth it for them.  It was for me.  Because I took Technical Writing, I'm now teaching Technical Writing.  Yay! for a minor in Technical Writing.  It got me a job!


Works Cited

Lannon, John M., and Laura J. Gurak. Technical Communication. 14th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2016. Print.