Technical Writing Course Reflection
When I decided to take a technical writing course, I was merely interested in learning the ability
to separate all of my emotions from my writing. As I began doing assignments without this
intention in mind, I started to notice the feedback I was receiving to be positive with a focus on
how persuasive my writing was. I began to think that perhaps removing the emotion from my
writing would be the wrong thing to do since I was receiving such good scores and feedback on
my assignments. However, through reading the text I began to understand that emotion within
technical writing could be acceptable, given the appropriate circumstances. Memo’s and other
business-related documents were unnecessary to convey an emotional tone, but within a resumes
cover letter, it may be more acceptable to reveal some passion in a professional manner. I always
had assumed that technical writing would be such a bland and dry format that was difficult to
express any creativity with. I now know that this is not the case, as technical writing within a
visual presentation offers an innovative and original outlet for writers to express their work in a
visually appealing form. My greatest achievement in this course was definitely the website that I
created, with currently 709 page views from 20 different countries! When I began my proposal I
had such grandiose plans for the website, and as I had just begun my first full-time college
schedule, I had no idea what I was signing myself up for; to successfully launch a website while
simultaneously doing coursework for three other classes within a certain timeframe. Once I had
begun this project, I was still working one day a week and allowed my mentor and previous
employer, Dr. Arnoud Noot, to read my website proposal. I had really dug myself into a deep
hole at that point, I had thrown “more fuel on the fire” so to speak by adding extra pressure to
my load of school work and deadlines by incorporating reputational pressure to make this
website a success. After a few weeks of sleep deprivation and hard work, I finally had a drafted
website that I was so excited about that I launched it while still in the drafted form. What a
mistake that was! Did you know that first impressions with websites are really the only chance
you have to make your website a success? Even though I went back and edited the site multiple
times, my chances of having my audience who had already seen the (semi-poorly) drafted form
to revisit the site became virtually impossible. That being said, my greatest accomplishment in
technical writing included my greatest lesson of technical writing, as well, which is not to launch
a drafted website no matter how excited you may be about it!
One of the most difficult breakthroughs that I experienced in this course was on the
subject of ethics. While I had previously taken a Bioethics course a year prior, this assignment
was not related to any medical treatment besides the loss of life that resulted out of NASA’s
space shuttle Challenger disaster. This assignment really presented an ethical dilemma for me, as
the individual that foresaw the disaster technically did everything within his position of power to
prevent it from happening. However, I knew in my heart that more could have been done by this
individual. This assignment required a group forum discussion with my entire class, in which I
had to respond to other student’s responses in such a controversial and sensitive topic. I really
had to step outside of my comfort zone and be honest with how I felt about other student’s
opinions and beliefs, staying true to my morals and values, and articulate them in a manner that
was kind and respectful. A similar instance occurred when I was editing a student’s ethical
position on the topic of abortion, to which I am passionately pro-choice which was the opposite
of my peer’s argument. I really had to dig deep within myself and examine my beliefs through
extensive research, with a calm, level-headed mindset. Emotion and writing became yet again
my obstacle to overcome within my subject of technical writing. Through careful and repeated
editing of my responses and pocket full of credible evidence, I hesitantly posted my responses,
checking for updates every twenty minutes. This anxiety went on for about three hours until I
received any feedback from other students, to which I immediately felt relieved upon reading the
responses from other students of which whom actually supported my position on the matter(s).
What a triumph! Technical writing has helped me to incorporate the following learning
outcomes, “Students thinking critically and creatively” and “Students communicating
effectively”. I was able to use my creativity and critical reasoning successfully with scientific
evidence and diligent research. This happened every time that I would peer review other
student’s work, referencing assignment requirements using creativity to respectfully
communicate constructive feedback through my evaluations. I also developed the skill of
learning how to communicate effectively, including the visual understanding of using graphics to
convey my ideas, as well as writing in the element of an interpersonal and group settings, as well
as mass audiences with my website. I have a feeling that technical writing may become more of
an asset to me as I continue my profession in the healthcare field, as patient education is my
primary goal.