Technical Writing Course Reflection

Throughout this course I was able to learn more about Technical writing. I started out

learning about what it is, how it is used, and why it is important to us as a society. I was able to

explore the many different ways that it can be used and how it applies in different

circumstances. This can include everything from instructions that are given for the setup of a

certain object to the use of letters, memorandums, and Technical documents in a workplace.

This course has helped me think about many different aspects that don’t just apply to

technical writing, but to other forms as well. Many of these concepts I had never thought about

previously while writing. One of the biggest of these concepts is to look identify the intended

audience and write to them. It makes so much sense, but prior to this I had just written to what

made sense to me no matter what I was writing. I wouldn’t look at things from the audience’s

perspective and I plan to incorporate this tactic as I move forward with my writing.

Another concept I learned is how to distinguish technical writing from others forms of

writing. I have noticed it more throughout my life and knowing what it is has helped me to think

about things in a larger frame of reference. I think about the person writing the instructions on

the bottle of ibuprofen and I think about them and the what is the objective to their writing. I

think about their intended audience and how they write to them in a way that they will

understand. This may not seem like much but to those new to the pills it can be very important.
 During the course of the semester we had the opportunity to work on three projects

and each project had a different form to it. I found this useful because it forced me to learn

some of the different ways that technical writing can be used.

The first project was very focused on what technically writing is and how it is used. I

chose to look at doing a proposal for new desks at the place I work. I had noticed a problem

weeks before while working there and I decided that I would try to use this class in a way that

had real-world applications. I wrote it and really gave it to my boss to try and instill an action.

For my second project I got the opportunity to participate in service-learning and

volunteer at the Homeless Youth Resource Center. Through this I was able to see technical

writing being used to help this outreach in many different ways. From trying to inform the

public of the problems these youths face daily, to instructing the youths themselves on how to

do something. There were so many different forms of writing and I was able to start seeing the

different affects they had on this small society. I got to witness how the many different flyers,

pamphlets, and other literature informed and unified both clientele and supporters alike.

After the first two projects I was feeling confidant for the third. However, the third

project had so much more to it than the other two previous projects. In a way the third project

was a way for us to learn how to take all of the concepts we learned, and figure out how to use

them together. I had to find some of the other projects we did and make a way for them to

combine into one larger project. This had to be done in such a way that each project supported

the others.
 From this course I have been able to come out with new perspective and new questions

I think about while I write. I see the world slightly differently now as a result too. Our world is

one full of writing and communication that gives basic and needed information. I am glad I had

a chance to take this class and have it change my perspective.