Emily D.

Wheaton
ENGL 2116
Dr. A. Toscano
4. Aug. 2016
Reflection
Technical writing, a class I had assumed would be an easy A, was a challenge on
several levels for me. However, the skills I have developed in this class have helped me to reflect
more into my writing and limit audience interpretation. I discovered the importance of being
concise when writing and understanding what type of audience I am addressing. Reflecting on
my creative writing audience, lay or technical, was not something that I needed to address
because those who are interested in my genera actively looked for my writing. This differs in
technical writing because often you are unaware of the intended audience and their level of
understanding. This realization has influenced me significantly to be more conscience in my
writing so that various audiences may comprehend what my message is without interpretation.
The hardest assignment, in my opinion, was writing the resume and cover letters.
Admittedly, any time that I needed a resume I just paid someone to do it for me because selling
myself is not a skill I possess. The resumes were not just telling your reader that you were the
ideal candidate but showing them through your cover letter. As Dr. Toscano addressed much of
my technical writing sounded almost robotic. With that bit of information I manipulated my
wording and grammar in my cover letter to show my reader that I was an ideal candidate by
reflecting them to my resume and showing my dedication and determination for the position.
The assignment I found most interesting was creating a set of instructions. Again,
reflecting on which audience was the most difficult aspect of that for me. My instructions on
BLAST Local Alignment Search Tool Usage: Monoamine Oxidase A Gene was intended for a

technical audience with a background in biological computation. I did not initially address this
and created the assumption that anyone reading my instructions would comprehend without
issue. As I revised the assignment I discovered the significant amount of interpretation not
including a note on the intended audience would cause. Addressing the correct audience made
the instructions a much more efficient reader-based prose.
The most significant struggle I have with my writing is basic grammar rules. In creative
writing I do very little grammar-focused revising work; instead when the work is completed an
editor goes through and corrects the flaws. Dr. Toscano does go through and point out some
errors which helped me see that grammar was my biggest concern. Using his notes to correct the
revisions allows for an applied method of learning and has helped me to proofread more and not
just turn an assignment in after skimming over it.
This class not only helped me to understand the importance of understanding audience,
writing concisely, and grammar; it has helped me to see the importance of communication. Prior
to this class the thought of technology and how we communicate held negative connotations for
me and I saw how technology hindered our personal social interactions. Taking this course has
allowed me to broaden my view to understand that communication, and the tools used, helps us
to deliver our messages to a vast audience and is essential to our daily lives. I have gained an
appreciation for technology and communication by taking this course. Using these skills and this
newfound appreciation, I will continue to apply them to my professional writing knowing what I
have learned will be able to help more people than I could prior to this class.