Technically Communicating Instructions
During the Spring 2019 semester I took ENGL314H through Iowa State University where I worked with a group to produce instructions, graphics, and feasibility reports on paper airplane instructions. While the subject matter may seem mundane, the process of communicating a technical skill to a layperson audience was an important skill to learn. Please see below the final set of instructions for this semester long assignment. Through the semester, I challenged myself with learning how to create Adobe Illustrator isometric graphics to communicate instructions, while also working with Adobe InDesign on layout and document design.
Rhetorical Analysis
For my ENGL310: Rhetorical Criticism course, my first assignment was to write a short rhetorical analysis piece on Mary Fisher’s “A Whisper of AIDS” speech. This document is an example of my developing skills in understanding, digesting, and reporting on a text specifically using Neo-Aristotelian rhetorical skills.
Documenting a Process
For this academic assignment, I worked in a group to create an instruction manual for users to create a Lego TM reindeer and sleigh design. This document includes introductory materials, a pieces list, a task list, and additional tips to personalize the design. This document shows my understanding of how a document design (in typeface, color, layout, length, etc) can influence its users. In addition to showing my design knowledge, this document exemplifies my technical communication abilities, specifically document usability and usefulness.
Ethnography
This ethnography was an assignment for a Universty of Minnesota rhetoric and writing course. I observed a UMN student organization called Phony Magazine for three months. My observation and interviews skills with the members shows my ability to understand a new community and work within it. These abilities aid me when working with new organizations as I observe, learn, and adapt to a new professional setting.