English 420Y - Business Writing Online

When I finished the reading in the Thompson Handbook, I had a better understanding of what is required to do well in this course and in my professional career. The book gives very useful examples on how to write a proper cover letter and resume. The list of questions on page 221 were helpful in clarifying what a prospective employer expects to see. I have written cover letters and resumes in other classes; but, it was never a detailed, in-depth process. I feel like the handbook will give clear guidelines to insure my resume will be noticed and considered.

I felt the section the Role of Technology in Business and Workplace Writing was relevant to writing effectively in our world. It has become easier to communicate globally with advances in cell phones, personal computers and wireless Internet. The need to adapt to new technologies and be able to present ideas coherently will be critical to success in the coming years. This class, along with the book, provide a good opportunity to begin to develop these abilities. I have never taken an online course, and this particular class will force me to improve on my computer skills.

One area of the reading in which I have no prior experience is writing memos. I have never worked in an office setting and therefore, I never sent or received a memo. After reviewing this component of the handbook it has became clear how important these documents are to keeping communication open in a business and preserving a historical record. The information on memorandum, as well as, everything else covered in the book will no doubt make me a better writer personally and professionally.