Individual Report Update

Well, I finally did what I have been threatening to do on my previous blog postings. I actually changed my individual report topic! I simply was not making any progress with my previous topic; and besides that, it was excruciatingly boring. I did not even find the topic particularly compelling, and it directly affects my life. Imagine how dull and inconsequential the entire report it would have been to the reader.
I have been working on my new topic. I am actually enjoying this topic. After several considerations and rejections of ideas, I decided on a sports related topic. I am conducting a plausibility analysis into whether the Fort Wayne Tin Caps (formerly the Fort Wayne Wizards) could make a move up a division in the minor league baseball system. Currently, the Tin Caps are a "low" Single A division team. I thought it might be interesting to investigate the potential possibility of the team moving to the Double a level.
I am primarily a football fan--but, I love all sports. After I became so disenchanted with my original choice of topic, I wanted to be sure that I would enjoy the revised choice thoroughly. In this way, researching and writing the paper would not be a chore or struggle. I felt that I had done enough "struggling" with my first topic.
Anyway, as you can probably imagine, the research has been more plentiful, and the writing has been easier. I am not one of these single-minded meatheads who has to relate everything in the world to sports, but an occasional foray into the realm of sports as fodder for my writing is immensely enjoyable.
In my research, I am comparing Fort Wayne and it's baseball team to Akron, Ohio and it's baseball team. I chose Akron because it is roughly the same size as Fort Wayne, population wise, and it's baseball team , the Aeros, already plays at the Double A level. I also chose Akron because it is located in the midwest, like Fort Wayne. I was hopeful that the similar geography between the two cities would make their demographics comparable as well. I wanted an apples to apples comparison. I have been very pleased thus far with what I have discovered regarding each. The two cities have some expected similarities, but some striking differences.

Portfolio progress

My portfolio as a whole is progressing fairly well so far. I have not produced any final drafts as of yet, but I have completed at least the second draft of all of our class projects to date. As I have stated in previous blogs, my individual report has been going nowhere. The topic I chose was light on hard, statistical evidence, and too dependent upon the generosity of others for potential research. I have decided to change my topic for my individual report...which is due next week! "Good luck" eh?
I have been reasonably pleased with my work thus far on our other assignments which go into the portfolio at the end of the semester. The travel report assignment was very enjoyable for me (as I explained in a previous blog). It was my inaugural foray into the arena of "business writing"arena. Given the thorough templates contained in the textbook, I think even the initial draft turned out respectably well. I have since "refined" it a little-into a second draft.
My employment materials assignment was extremely beneficial and practical for me. It guided me into producing an updated, 21st Century quality resume. It also benefitted me by showing me what a professional cover letter should contain, and what its "tone" should be. This was one bit of constructive learning that I will take with me for the rest of my life. I am grateful.
As for our group project, we felt - as a group- that we had to abandon our original concept and adopt a new one. Fortunately, we have made some great progress. Our group really pulled together in an urgent situation.

My Individual Report 10/31

As I stated in my post earlier this week, I am beginning to consider either another topic or taking my original topic in a vastly different direction. I was able to complete 2/3 of my research, but then I hit a snag. I have been unable to find a competing company in the area that is willing to give me a written copy of their company drug and alcohol policy.
Even more problematic is the fact that my own employer, Kreager Brothers Excavating, is unwilling to share its statistics with me in regards to failed tests and rates of residivism. Furthermore, I am fairly confident that I am not going to be able to find an outside company that will share this sensitive information with me. This barrier to my research has me contemplating other possibilities for my individual report. My due date for the first draft is November 14, so time is running short. Therefore, whatever other topic that I end up using will need to be excessively conducive to the research process.
As for the information I have been able to obtain, I have compiled it into a preliminary "very rough" draft. The separate drug and alcohol policies that are in play at Kreager Brothers (one for union employees and one for non-union workers) have facilitated an excellent compare and contrast segment for the project. Unfortunately, that is all that I have penned thus far. Obviously, I have some urgent issues which need to be addressed. I either need to take another direction with my original idea promptly; or I have to change topics immediately.

I always enjoy the workshopping process. I don't mind giving feedback to my fellow students, or receiving feedback from them. Often times, hearing other peoples ideas, and even reading their work, will take my writing in another, more potent, direction that I had not considered up to that point. The small group format is especially beneficial for me because it allows me to spend extra time on my group members' writings. I am able to give them a little extra feedback due to the added concentration -- instead of simply pointing out grammar and spelling errors. Fortunately, I have been able to attend every scheduled class session thus far, so I have maximized the number of critique opportunities for my work.
I have taken other writing courses which required a weekly blog posting and I am grateful for them. I enjoy these ruminations for two reasons: 1) My hunt-and-peck typing skills can always use the work. 2) They allow me to step back and realistically evaluate my current writings. Are they conveying what I want to convey? Are they heading in a interesting direction? Do i keep moving forward, or go back and reconsider? As a rule, Ifeel that my blog posts are at least semi-cogent. I enjoy a less formal form of written communication where I can sometimes inject humor (or attempts at humor, anyway).
I have had my requested drafts for each class meeting. Iam nothing if not diligent. I have a specific process I follow while writing. My first draft is hand-written (I know...old school). My first revision occurs as I am entering this draft into the Word program. This is the copy which I bring to the first workshop. Subsequent workshop copies come from further revisions based on feedback. The total number of drafts varies based on my satisfaction with the piece. I must say that I appreciate computers. This process was extremely tedious when I was in high school, and all that we had were electric typewriters. (I know...what a fossil!)
My primary writing goal for the rest of this semester is to become more "business like." I still tend to be a little verbose. At times, my writing still reads like an academic evaluation of Tolstoy. I admire the succinct, eye-catching format of the business writing samples that I have seen. I need to incorporate this genre into my writing. It's going to require... practice, practice, practice.
My individual report is not going as smoothly as I had hoped. The research portion of the project is not bearing much fruit. I am getting a little antsy with the topic I chose. I may be forced to reconsider my approach or topic, or both! Although it is getting late, I know if worse came to worse, I could produce a quality piece. The strength of my writing is its language and technical quality; but, I don't want to BS a piece which contains nothing but impressively-worded fluff. I will get this squared away soon.
As for our group piece, the first draft overlapped excessively and was quite redundant! As a group, we had a lively idea session. Subsequently, we decided to take a few elements form this first draft and move in a different direction. The feedback from other groups highlighted the futility of this initial offering. With this response as our foundation, we enjoyed the finest group brainstorming session that I have been a part of for a while.
The most beneficial aspect of the course is that it is held in a room where each student enjoys instantaneous access to a computer. The only drawback is that I don't type very well, so I am probably always the slowest worker in my group.

Trip report and Employment materials

I found that I have really enjoyed writing the trip report. I have always held blue collar jobs at a local level, so I have never gotten to experience business travel. I have been envious from time to time of people who hold the kind of prestigious positions which require business travel -- even if they are in movies or on television! Pathetic, huh? Anyway, it was fun to role play in a type of job that I have aspired, and still aspire, to. I think I have done a decent job with this assignment thus far. The template and instructions that Ms. Stewart gave us significantly facilitated the process for me. I'm beginning to see that writing is writing across genres. You simply have to adjust your format, voice, and technique dependent on the application required.
The employment materials assignment has been a real eye-opener. My previous resume was a dull piece of ineffective garbage! A lot of formatting and content regarding resumes has changed since the last time I actively looked for a job. With the handout that we were given last week acting as a template, I was able to produce an updated resume that will hopefully prove to be effective after I graduate in May. This opportunity to potentially improve my life through more acceptable business writing, such as this resume, is the primary reason that I chose this class as my final elective. Potential can only get a person so far... one has to be able to execute and act on this potential.

My individual project update 10/10

I must admit that I have encountered some resistance from the other non-union construction companies in town regarding the securing of one of their employee manuals. I would still like to procure a copy of a third drug testing policy for the purpose of my comparison against the two policies which are in play at my own company. Moreover, the resistance that I have encountered for simply getting a copy of this policy from a third company makes it certain that I will have to research results on the effectiveness of drug policies. Certainly, if a company is reticent to simply give me a written policy- they will abhore providing me concrete statistics regarding their workforce.
As far as the two separate policies at work in my own company, I have really learned some things so far. I am a non-union employee, so I was fairly familiar with our drug testing policy. However, I have discovered that the policy governing the union employees in my company contains even more stipulations and restrictions than I had been told! Union employees also have several recourses in the event of a positive test that non-union employees do not have. When undertaking a project like this, one can truly witness the power that a labor union can hold-- even today.

Research/ writing schedule

For my individual report, I plan to do my research beginning next week (pending approval of my proposal by Ms. Stewart). Theoretically, the entire research portion of my project should be completed by mid-October. Most of my research will be of the secondary variety; but, I may have to do some primary persuading to get the resources that I will need.
The evaluation and interpretation of the compiled research will begin immediately after researching is complete. Subsequently, I will begin my first draft. Following my normal writing procedure, I should have the finished product of my project completed around November 15. Depending on how strong I feel the material is, I may give an accompanying oral presentation on the scheduled day to fortify it.
As far as our collaborative project, the group will be delegating responsibilities for the process after Ms. Stewart reviews its proposal. We are going off-list for our topic, so we need to make sure that our idea is up to snuff.
The specific due dates for the steps within the collaborative process will be a little more nebulous, because people work at separate paces. I would hope that we would have all of our material and information compiled by very early November. A project that is the scope of what we intend to do will demand long hours of organization and editing. Not to mention that each draft throughout the process must be approved by all the members in the group. Obviously, we have a "drop-dead" due date for the report, and the accompanying oral presentation, which we must meet.

Communication skills post

I am an English major, and have taken a variety of writing classes previously. ( I will admit, however, that my typing skills are still pathetic). As a result of these classes, I would say that my strength is the presentation and polish of my writing. I have developed a procedure for writing pieces that was begun in high school (yes, ancient times), and has continued to evolve since. Writing is probably my favorite past time -- besides playing or watching football. What can I say? I'm a guy.
My most pronounced weakness is in business writing. I have always worked blue-collar jobs, and none of these positions required ability in business writing. I thought it might prove useful in future endeavors to be familiar with the varying formats, styles, and techniques germane to business writing. At the present time, this particular discipline of writing is where an outsider would consider me deficient.
I am fairly confident in my public speaking and interpersonal communication skills, as well. I have a minor in communications. I don't mind speaking in front of groups, and I've often been "nominated" to be the oral presenter for various group projects.
Here are my weaker traits which I hope to strengthen through this course (as from the list):
1) familiarity with memo, letter, and report formats for business documents
2) specialized vocabulary from the professional business world
3) ALWAYS having credibility within presentations (professional business world)
I guess that I'm not completely certain what professional business expects and values within acceptable writings.
Bill L.