English 420Y - Business Writing Online

The conditions costumers had to go through in the JetBlue crisis were appalling. The video shown in yotube shows how, even inside the airport, things were uncomfortable for everyone. I can say from experience that every time I travel, deep inside I fear that will happen. As I learned with chapter 1, we must be sure that we know the audience in order to give the information in the right context. In order to communicate properly we must understand what the other party has been through and then come up with the position they want us to assume.

Bryce Sexton
Reading Response – 4

After watching the video and then finding one of my own on YouTube, I know understood just some of the hassles that Jet Blue customers faced during the blizzard of 2007. There are definitely two very different audiences that need to be addressed in the same letter by Jet Blue. The first audience would be the customers who experienced the ordeal first hand. The second audience would be the customers who were at home that Jet Blue needed to convince to fly with them again.

In my opinion chapter 1 presented the information that the people already use but just don’t realize it. It is very important to study the audience that is going to read the text and also the setting or the circumstances in which they are going to do that. For example it is very much different to ask an advice on personal essay from a good friend and just an acquaintance. The example provided in chapter 1 that talks about the mad truck driver is perfect.

I found another Youtube video that can be watched if you click on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOo-tG9q2h0&mode=related&search

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnnJeV-Gtas&mode=related&search=

Chapter 38, Effective Word Use, was useful to identify why we use the words we use. Regionalism is when people use different words for the same thing. Chapter 38 stated, "when in doubt about a word or usage, consult your dictionary." I especially liked the examples for metaphor, mixed metaphor, and cliche'. "The demon of torture returned to the police station."

After reading the selections in The Thompson Handbook, I realized how important it is to take context into account when writing. The writer must utilize his or her knowledge and incorporate feelings for a specific purpose. The reader has certain expectations and knowledge. The writer must work to create a piece that accurately brings the information to the reader. You really need to analyze your audience and the situation in order to write a meaningful message. You need to make sure you are concise and very direct with your writing.

Here's my video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=SOo-tG9q2h0&mode=related&search=

The video is kind of comical. They people who put it together were obviously making the best out of a bad situation. They took footage of them as the day was going on as they were stuck in the airport and delayed and had flights cancelled. I bet the camera made the day less boring because they had something to do. Then when they got home they edited it with funny captions and such. I think once you get past the joking film makers they were probably pretty upset about the situation, and rightfully so.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=eZkQYjciGzc

Having read the Thompson Handbook, I have a greater understanding for the importance of context and knowing your audience. Choosing how you address your audience can ultimately effect how well you are able to reach them. Using these tools will prove to be helpful in the jetBlue case. In the jetBlue case we are addressing customers that are extremely frustrated with the company so it is very important that when addressing them you use the right tone, and understand how they are feeling. If you fail to acknowledge these things, you could upset these customers even more and lose future business.