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.