10 Questions & Answers: English
1: Post a short extract of great writing. Why did you choose it? Does it break any of the “Good Writing Rules”?
Response: “But then they danced down the streets like dingledodies and I shambled after as I've been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing but burn, burn like fabulous yellow Roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight and everybody goes "Aww!"” (Schmoop Editorial Team). The reason why I picked this quote is because I believe that the road is life and which is why it will be one of those quotes that I will never forget. I think it broke at least three good writing rules: short sentences, simple words that will suit a target audience he hopes to reach. But of course, this is Jack Kerouac at his creative writing best and we can excuse him for it.
Response: I think the biggest issue with my writing is the complexity of thought. It’s either run-on sentences or them being too long for the reader to grasp. I should learn to write shorter, quite honestly. Using simpler words is another aspect that I consider too. One of the best ways I’ve seen my writing improve is by using the Hemingway App that forces you to follow strict rules apart apart from simple word usage for the reader. Just about every good aspect of writing can learned using this application.
3: Analysis of the quality of writing of the report linked below: Report - Poverty in Australia 2016.
Response: There are a number of points that stands out about this report. First, the sentences are short while the words are simple to read but clearly related to the poverty study. Since it has a Table of Contents, the information is spread out evenly from topic to topic and which would probably be linked to each other appropriately as well. The use of color and larger text on important quotes is also very suitable while the use of statistics and the use of line and bar graphs as well as pie charts are also very useful here. A long list of numbers won’t give the reader a clear picture of the overall report and the study that was performed from different angles. One can’t help but emphasize the use of graphics or visuals to explain what is written in words as an effective tool and that will increase readability.
4: Find one example of graphic communication in an online article or report.
Response: Given that this page is related to graphic design, it also contains a number of articles that showcase how beautiful this artform is combined with words: http://www.creativebloq.com/inspiration/9-beautiful-business-cards-for-artists
5: Write a critique (about 100 words): consider the importance and effectiveness of the graphics in terms of content AND design.
Response: Any writer will tell you that putting yourself in the place of the reader is most vital to writing anything good in today’s world. However, graphics also play an important role in making an important point related to the text. While your words should be short and simple, the graphic should not only support the text but also highlight the point you are making about it. As a rule, the text should be just about 50 words or so and in short sentences along with an accompanying graphic. If the text is too much, then the reader will not read it fully, especially over the internet. Too little content will not present your point either but even if you have a lot, separate the paragraphs with good visual to maintain reader interest in the subject.
6. Reflect on your own choice of topic and how you will need to refine it and your survey questions –Did your survey work well? Why or why not? (my survey topic is international students’ motivation to study in Australia.)
Response: In looking at the poverty report, one can clearly tell that it was professionally prepared from a graphic designer and a report writer’s point of view. Not only there is a clear table of content but also each section is neatly divided into sub-section that cover the overarching topic. Of course, once you are at the end of the report, you will clearly get a vivid picture of the poverty levels in Australia in 2016. In comparing my survey with this report, I think I have to obtain data from a wider range of students while breaking it up into the types of degrees they wish to study, age group and ethnicity and so on and so forth. This will make for very pleasant graphs as in the Australian Poverty 2016 Report. But overall, I’m very satisfied with the survey and the data that I’ve collected so far.
7. Access a particular type of job on a site such as seek.com which you could apply for and make a list of attributes that come up often–How would you go about showing you are the right person for this job?
Response: First and foremost, the job that I would consider applying for is at this link: https://www.seek.com.au/job/32511329 which is that of a technical writer but in the field of education given most of my work experience is in that area. In other words, since my primary role is that of an academic writer, this would be a position that is most suited to what I’d be looking for at this point. Right off the bat, since the ad requires technical writing skills, which has nothing to do with technology, in the field of education, this is something that both my qualifications as well as skills would suit, even if it is a bit out of my league. I would definitely apply for this position if I could. Some of the attributes that caught my eye were: academic experts, research, develop user handbook, MS Office tools and analytical skills. I’d be happy to furnish target documents that relate to the requirements of this job while emphasizing my experience as an academic writer by mentioned clear actions which resemble the job responsibilities.
8. Go on to seek.com.au and search for a job you could apply for:
A: Write the opening paragraph of your letter of application
Response:
Dear [Employer Name].
In looking through the ad on Seek.com, I came across your ad and given my skills in report writing and academia, I felt that I would be a wonderful fit for this position. Given that this position require a team player but also needs attention to detail in the writing, my experience as a technical writer in the past is most appropriate for the task at hand. I can be of great value to the organization and would like to meet you in person to discuss my qualifications, experiences and skills.
B: Paste the job ad below the paragraph
Response: The link is as pasted below:
https://www.seek.com.au/job/32511329
9. Find an ad for a job that looks a little out of your league:
a. How would you make your existing skills seem relevant? Make a list
Response:
1: Academic Expertise in Humanities
2: Report and Technical Writing
3: Presentation skills
4: Two Humanities Lesson Plans
5: Recommendation Letters from my University Professors
b. Paste the job ad below the paragraph
Response: The job ad is for a Humanities Teacher as pasted below:
https://www.seek.com.au/job/32530499
10. Try an opening paragraph to apply for these:
A: Join our fun team! Funky inner-city cafe seeks enthusiastic wait-staff. Experience not necessary, but you should be a hard worker who doesn’t mind weekend shifts and who has a sense of humour.
Response:
Dear [Employer Name],
As is expected of students, the only thing that we really do at university is have fun while waiting on people, in a manner of speaking. Jokes apart, there’s a lot of hard work that requires us to move around speaking to people as well. Since this is an entry-level position that is best-suited for freshers or those at university, it should be easy if not fun to work at a job such as this one. I would like to meet you in person for an informal chat so that you can validate how personable I am, which is probably the most important requirement for this position.
Situation vacant:
B: The accounting firm J. Barrow and Associates Ltd seeks a junior receptionist for a full-time position starting in March. A professional approach, good presentation, excellent telephony and keyboard skills are essential.
Response:
Dear [Employer Name],
In being at university for ______ years, speaking to a number of people across a number of age groups and ethnicities is something that I have had experience with. Given that my computer skills are clearly up to date - in using all MS Office applications - I find myself appropriately skilled for this position since it is an entry-level position. In obtaining an opportunity to meet with you in an interview, you can also validate whether I have good presentation skills and am professional as a person too.
Works Cited
Shmoop Editorial Team. "On the Road Madness Quotes Page 1." Shmoop. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 6 Jan. 2017.
