Self Assessment Essay
The writing for engineering course presented me with a variety of challenging and interesting assignments that required different writing formats and approaches. Despite the significant workload, I found the course entertaining and enjoyable due to the opportunity to write about engineering-related topics. Along the way, I received valuable feedback from peers and the professor that aided me in presenting each assignment effectively. I completed several significant assignments during the course, including the formal letter of introduction, product review essay, lab report analysis, technical description, and written proposal. Additionally, I completed self-reflection memos and engaged in artifacts such as peer review, review of Khan’s Technical Description Essay, and the sample of the Portfolio Spreadsheet, all of which helped me meet the course’s learning objectives.
The formal letter of introduction was the course’s first important task, and it provided a great chance for learning. I had never written an official letter before this assignment, so I was completely unfamiliar with its language and structure. I discussed my writing goals during this project and looked at the audience’s expectations in terms of genre, medium, and rhetorical context. I had to follow the prompt and follow the conventions of the letter genre while I described to the readers my future plans in engineering. This project helped me to understand the form of a professional letter and inspired me to complete the task while highlighting the value of taking genre, medium, and rhetorical context into account when writing for a specific audience.
My experience with the product review essay in this engineering writing course helped me gain a better understanding of how to critically analyze a product and boosted my critical thinking skills. During the assignment, I engaged in critical thinking while analyzing my 20oz thermos, which allowed me to learn how to write an objective product review. The reflection memo for the product review essay also proved to be beneficial, as it helped me understand the content of a memo and what should be included. Initially, I did not realize that the reflection memo was intended to reflect on the challenges I faced during the writing process. However, after receiving feedback from the professor, I learned how to write an effective reflection memo that addressed the necessary points. Overall, this assignment allowed me to develop my critical thinking skills, learn how to write an objective product review, and understand the purpose and content of a reflection memo.
The Lab Report Analysis assignment was a significant part of the Writing for Engineering course, which helped to enhance my technical writing skills. The assignment involved comparing and contrasting three lab reports to determine the best and provided me with a deeper understanding of technical writing and genre analysis. I learned how to use various resources to locate appropriate sources for my writing projects, gained a better understanding of the structure and style of technical writing, and improved my self-assessment strategies through the Reflection Memo. Additionally, this assignment helped me develop my ability to present data in a clear and concise manner, draw conclusions from data, and recognize the distinguishing characteristics of different genres. The Lab Report Analysis assignment also built on my prior learning by providing a deeper understanding of technical writing and genre analysis. I enhanced my research and analytical skills, which will be useful in future engineering writing projects, and learned critical thinking, organizing information, and analyzing data skills, which will be crucial in my future writing endeavors. Overall, the Lab Report Analysis assignment was an invaluable learning experience that provided me with essential technical writing skills and helped me build on my previous knowledge of writing genres.
The Technical Description Essay assignment was a valuable experience that allowed me to develop my technical writing skills by learning to analyze and synthesize technical information, engage in critical thinking, and produce an objective description of a product. The Reflection Memo for the assignment helped me to overcome challenges and improve my writing skills. I learned the importance of breaking down technical information into simpler terms, structuring writing logically, and avoiding jargon. In the future, I plan to use these skills to write effective technical documents and continue to engage in critical thinking and analysis, seeking feedback and utilizing appropriate language and structure.
During the Writing for Engineering course, I engaged in a variety of activities that improved my technical writing skills. The peer review process allowed me to receive feedback from my peers, and the review of Khan’s Technical Description Essay helped me to understand the format and content of a technical description essay. The sample of the Portfolio Spreadsheet provided me with an idea of the content and structure of a portfolio spreadsheet. As I move forward, I plan to continue using the skills I learned, such as engaging in critical thinking, organizing technical writing logically, using appropriate language, and seeking feedback from peers and instructors to improve my technical writing and communication skills. By practicing these writing strategies, I believe I can effectively communicate technical information to a variety of audiences and succeed in my future engineering endeavors.
The Proposal was a group project that involved both written and presentation components, with a strict outline and focus on planning and financial management. Collaborating with six other members, I had to learn how to distribute work and communicate effectively. This assignment helped me achieve course learning outcomes, such as using the internet to locate appropriate sources, strengthening my source use practices, and formulating and articulating a stance through my writing. The assignment was challenging as it required working with others, staying in contact, and ensuring that everyone’s work was of the highest quality. We took the time to plan, edit, and revise each other’s work to ensure that the final proposal flowed as one voice. Overall, the assignment helped me develop essential skills in collaboration, communication, and technical writing.
The Writing for Engineering course provided me with a challenging yet rewarding experience in which I completed a variety of assignments such as the formal letter of introduction, product review essay, lab report analysis, technical description, and written proposal, each with their unique prompts and formats. The course also included self-reflection memos and artifacts such as peer review, the review of Khan’s Technical Description Essay, and the sample of the Portfolio Spreadsheet. Through these assignments, I developed critical thinking skills, learned how to write an objective product review, and tailored my writing to suit the intended audience. The course provided valuable feedback from peers and the professor, which helped me enhance my writing skills and effectively present each assignment. Overall, the Writing for Engineering course was an invaluable experience that equipped me with the necessary skills to excel in technical writing and communication.