Chapter 11 Reading Reflection

Chapter 11 introduced me to a whole new world regarding visual aids!  I had not previously known how much thought went into making a flyer or powerpoint.  I don't know how often I will be in charge of making flyers in my future career, but I do notice that a lot of providers use powerpoint presentations when presenting research.  There were a few key concepts that stuck out to me from this chapter that I can apply to my future flyers or handouts.

1: When forming a small document of some sort, the material should either be symmetrical or asymmetrical.  Previous to learning this, I always formed my documents in a symmetrical manner.  However, the text mentions that asymmetrical documents should still have some form of balance via text and visuals.

2: Spacing is important when trying to emphasize points.  The spacing around a bullet point can serve as a frame or border.  For more of a dramatic feel, actual lines may be used between points.

3: I really enjoyed how the text suggests forming a front door in your document.  This means having an obvious pathway where the audience can follow through your handout.  Numbers, bullet points, and good flow may help form that path.

Along with all of the rules and suggestions this chapter puts forth, it is important to remember the principles of simplicity and harmony can help to develop professional documents.  

Chapter 10 Reading Reflection

Chapter 10 discussed the importance of proper writing techniques when it comes to business reports.  A business report is basically a request of information needed by management, or in my case, a doctor.  This chapter was helpful for me because I work in a doctors office currently where there is a lot of requests for medical records coming and going.  Three points were made that I will be able to apply to improve my business writing.

 

1: Gather the Data- It is important that I gather all of the information that the doctor is requesting.  Also, examining and analyzing the request will enable me to be more efficient to ensure that I am sending what is being asked of the office.

2: Compose the Report- In some cases, I have to write letters or reports requesting certain procedures, conclusions, and recommendations that previous doctors have made.  When composing the report, I need to remember to come through very clear and professionally as to what I am requesting.

3: Review and Revise the Report- Before sending the report or request off, it is always wise to double check the information you are wanting to receive or send.  The text also emphasizes to check to make sure the design, organization, and content is what you intend it to be.

Chapter 9 Reading Reflection

Chapter nine discusses the process of conducting and documenting business research.  Performing research is critical to this day and age.  So many resources are available at our fingertips such as Google or the World Wide Web.  This is a great advancement, however, it is still important to learn the correct process of gathering research and documenting it.

In the medical field, research is being conducted daily.  As I start my career, it is important that I remember the important steps mentioned in this chapter.  I will be using both primary and secondary sources for my research.  Primary source is gathering original data, questionnaires, interviews, and experiments.  Secondary research involves reviewing information that has already been collected and published such as books, journals, and magazines.  As I go about conducting research, it is important that I am using reliable sources as well as making sure my information collected is applicable to the topic I am researching.  

Chapter 8 Reading Reflection

In chapter eight, we learn techniques when it comes to writing proposals and solving problems.  The one concept that caught my attention was the problem solving solutions.  Just like the text states, problems are a normal part of communication.  There were three areas of the text that I really enjoyed.

1. "The problem is the difference between 1 and 2."  This definition of a problem is great because it can be applied to not only the work environments, but also to our everyday life situations.  The text also states that a problem may be an opportunity.  It makes a great point that problems don't always need to be negative.

2. "Too many people try to fix the symptoms, only to find that they reappear because the cause is still present."  When trying to diagnose a problem, it is important to look at the root cause and not just the effects the problem is creating.  As we try to fix problems that arise in a work setting, we are often missing the root of the problem and constantly running in a circle to try and improve the situation.

3. "Sometimes a solution will be relatively simple."  Not all solutions to a problem are complicated.  We need to make sure we are keeping our eyes open to the most simple and efficient solutions to problems at hand.  It often is beneficial to brainstorm ideas with a group to come up with the best solution to the problem.

Chapter 7 Reading Reflection

As my college career is coming to a close, I need to be prepared to start looking for jobs.  When job searching, it is important that my resume is up-to-date with my skills and qualities.  Chapter seven taught me all about compiling a resume, interviewing, and a follow up after the interview.

In the next year or so I hope to be interviewing for graduate programs at various schools.  This chapter taught me a lot about how to have a successful interview.  Some tips include doing your homework, being prepared and on time, be sensitive to body language, and so forth.  One tip I really need to focus on is speaking confidently and clearly.  I get fairly nervous speaking in front of people of authority and it shows.  My voice gets shaky and I stutter over my words.  It is important to be able to show confidence through my speech.  This bullet point taught me that to become a better speaker I need to listen carefully to be able to answer questions completely.  It is also important to maintain a good voice energy.  All of these tips listed will hopefully help me to have confidence in interviews with potential schools as well as future jobs.

Chapter 6 Reading Reflection

Chapter six discusses communication correspondence in the workplace.  Some helpful tips when communicating your message include planning, composing, and formatting.  When planning what you are going to say in your message, make sure you apply the context to the correct audience, how they feel towards you, and how they will feel about the subject matter.  After thinking about those three major points, decide if you will take a direct or indirect approach depending on the message you want to convey.  When composing your message, make sure that it is clear, correct, complete, and compelling to the audience that will be reading it.  Formatting and standards are different for various types of messages such as memos, emails, and letters.
In the health field, many different forms of communication are used.  On some occasions I may have to write a letter to a physician asking for information about a patient.  I can apply the concepts from chapter six to help me achieve my purpose in my message.  I will focus on my audience, the physician,  and the message that I am requesting, information about a patient.  If I am needing the information rapidly, I will write in a more direct tone.  If it is not needed in a timely matter, I may take a more indirect approach.  These tools will help me to write more professionally and achieve my goal efficiently.

Chapter 5 Reading Reflection

Chapter five discusses some of the finishing touches you need to perfect your paper.  One of the main suggestions the book has when finalizing a paper is getting and giving feedback.  It is important that after you make your final draft, that you have those you trust read over it.  Often times, I find that what I think is a well written paper has many errors that I have missed when editing it myself.  It is always helpful to get some constructive feedback as well to hopefully improve your future writing.  

DOCS is a helpful tool when remembering key characteristics of editing.  DOCS stands for (1) review the design, (2) review the organization, (3) review the content, and (4) review the sentences.  When review the design of your paper, make sure that you use adequate headings, clarify visuals used, and the appropriate type of typography is used.  Organization is another key element to look for.  Ask yourself if your paper flows and if you have stayed in a direct or indirect tone.  Content deals with making sure the paper is clear, complete, correct, and compelling.  Lastly, reviewing the sentences to make sure you follow proper sentence structure helps to solidify your paper.

Chapter 4 Reading Reflection

Chapter four discusses enhancing the visual appeal and I could not agree more.  I know that if I have two documents in front of me, one with visuals and one without, I will gravitate towards the one with pictures and tables for me to interpret.  Having visuals makes reading a document that more exciting as well as helps to break up a big chunk of text.  A way to help your writing really come to life is an acronym HATS.

Headings: Headings can be used to quickly skim a document and find the information that you want to read in detail.  When dealing with headings, make sure you still have adequacy and a hierarchy.  I really enjoyed how the reading compared headings to navigation signposts.  This allows the reader to know what is going to be discussed and help to keep a general structure of the text.

Art: Art involves using visuals such as tables, bar charts, maps, and organization charts.  When using art in your writing, make sure to follow the three I's- introduce, insert, and interpret.  Don't allow a visual to be unexplained.  This may cause more confusion for the reader when they are trying to distinguish what it means in regard to the text.

Typography: Typography deals with the font, size, alignment, and style.  All of these come together to draw the readers eyes to key point in the text that the author would like to emphasize.  Remember to use a more professional font in business writing, but a more casual font may be used in an email to a friend.

Spacing: To break up the text and gray look of the paper, extra spacing is added.  This gives visual relief, prevents reader fatigue, and enhances reader friendliness.

Chapter 3 Reading Reflection

After completing the steps suggested in chapter two, you are ready to go to work!  Chapter three opens up with some suggestions regarding your writing environment.  This is something that I can relate to greatly.  I know that if I am not 100 percent focused, or am distracted by hunger or friends, I am not able to write efficiently.  Some suggestions for a proper writing environment include writing during your high-energy, proper location, removing distractions, and assembling items you need.

Another aspect covered in the reading was an agenda.  Agendas are a preview of the body of the message.  I know that if the article or document that I am reading is very long, I often get sidetracked by my thoughts and forget about the true meaning of what I am reading.  Agendas aide in helping the reader stay focused by quantifying, identifying, organizing, and symbolizing the purpose of the document or article.  Other elements that help the reader stay focused is employing bolding, italics, or in some cases both.  It is important that your document is effective in communicating to the reader what you want to say effectively.   

Chapter 2 Reading Reflection

Chapter two discusses various techniques when it comes to effective writing.  Techniques include clarifying your purposes, analyzing the audience, creating and evaluating an outline, and developing an effective strategy.  Although these techniques are emphasized in regards to writing, I also believe that they are helpful in communicating with future patients of mine.

(1) Clarify Your Purposes: There are three types of purposes in messages.  These include informing, persuading, and building relationships.  In the health field, I will be in contact with various types of patients.  When delivering my thoughts on a treatment plan or delivering bad news, it is important to be as clear as possible so that my audience will understand the message I am delivering.  When a patient feels that they are understanding the message, there is an element of trust that is reciprocated.

(2) Analyze the Audience: Taking your audience into consideration when delivering a message is very important in the health field.  If you are dealing with a sick child, you need to communicate a sophisticated message to the parents of the child, but also a version of your message that the young child may understand as well.

(3) Create and Evaluate an Outline:  In writing, it is important to outline your topic to aide in finding the best approach to delivering your message.  In the health field, it is also very important to outline major points you want to discuss with patients in regards to their treatment plan.  If you go into an appointment not knowing what to say, that may come across as immature and the patient may not trust your judgement.

(4) Develop an Effective Strategy: After completing the above steps, it is important to evaluate what you want to say and how to say it so that the message is clear and positive to all parties involved.  For example, wanting a future career in the health field, I may at times need to deliver some bad news to a patient.  I could say it as it is, or try to help the patient see the negatives with the positives of the situation.  

Chapter 1 Reading Reflection

Chapter one is about effective communication, from proper table manners to how to conduct a meeting.  Communication is a key concept that is applicable across all careers.  In my experience with healthcare, communication between patient and provider is vital.  If the patient does not understand directions on their medications or how to perform proper exercises during their therapy, more harm can be done then good.

One area in chapter one that was applicable to me was the section that covered listening.  As a healthcare provider, listening to your patients and their needs is vital to the patient-provider relationship.  If your patient feels like you listen and understand their concerns, treatment will flow much more smoothly than if a patient has to keep telling you events over and over again.  Proper listening habits include proper body language, not interrupting people, and using reflective listening.  These three areas will help the provider and patient understand one another's needs.

The text also covered communicating in teams.  In the healthcare setting, a lot of different providers are coming together to achieve a goal for a patient.  Within each office, it is important to have correct communication so that everyone is on the same page.  In instances when you have to collaborate with other doctors offices, it is important that everyone is communicating effectively and people are being understood as to help achieve the goal.