English 421Y: Technical Writing Online

For my instructions project, I will be writing instructions on how to successfully install a simple wall shelf into drywall without having to use the studs. I am qualified to write these instructions because I have spent 6 years of my life working in a hardware store and have had a lot of hands on experience with all of the materials used in the process. I have frequently had customers come to me trying to install shelves in walls for all sorts of things like picture, speakers, and storage boxes.

After doing all of the readings for the week, it seems that just like resumes, the fate of instructions can largely rely on the design and layout. One thing that always guarantees that I will not read instructions is seeing a bunch of large blocks of text with no graphics. I have found that, as the readings state, it is much easier to learn something and follow instructions when visual aids are used. Sometimes words can be confusing, especially if instructions are written at a higher level than my knowledge.

Do I have too much useless information in my paragraphs?
Did I include enough information to prove that I am the right person for the job?

Having never written a cover letter in the past, I was a little nervous about writing one for this project. The readings for this week answered most of the questions that I had about cover letters and really opened my eyes to the content that should be included. Judging from the readings, it seems like the cover letter will be used as more of a final cut (if at all), rather than an introduction. Assuming that my resume is good enough to make the first cut, and possibly the second or third, it will be up to my resume to explain the type of person my resume claims me to be.

After reading the many readings for this week, I feel like I am back to square one. The first reading gave me a lot of confidence and I felt like my resume would be easy to write if I used its tips. Then I read another and began to question myself. After a couple more readings, I am still quite scared to start writing my resume. I had written all of my past resumes mostly based off of sample resumes, and didn’t make use of the many resources out there to help.

http://www.biospace.com/jobs/job-listing/?job_id=255401&type=partner&sou...?

Neuroscience Research Associate- Genentech, Inc

I felt like Chapter 8 was mainly a review section. I already knew most of this information from earlier college and high school classes, especially the section that drilled in outlining. Although I already knew most of it, I did find the part about using presentation software to develop an outline pretty helpful. I had never thought of using those programs in that way, but it seems like a pretty easy way to start when there is a lot of information to keep track of.