Dear Dr.

Bruce,
By partaking in English 360 I have improved on my technical writing skills.
Through the usage of rhetorical focus and application of prewrite I have learned to write
appropriately depending on the focus of my audience. In the beginning of this course, you
set six learning outcomes (SLO) that we will be able to achieve and incorporate into our
writing pieces. I have created a portfolio with two pieces that I have worked on myself or
in collaboration with my group members that will demonstrate my exceptional
understanding of the SLOs and showcase my improvements in my writing. In my
portfolio I have organized one major written piece and one peer review to show my
advancement and understanding of my capability to write effectively and formally.
I have demonstrated proficiency of writing and meeting the SLOs (2 & 3 & 5 &
6) displayed in my group charter to iFixit. In my charter I exhibited SLO (2) by using a
variety of sources to provide me with adequate information about the group
correspondence and conflict resolution. I included ethical citations to deliver the
credibility of my sources like Markels Practical strategies for technical communication
and following Amy Ohlendorfs article on conflict resolution. In my group charter, I
displayed academic language and design (SLO 5) which shows how I formally addressed
iFixit and showcasing which guides and deadlines are required to meet specific
milestones to complete this project. Not only was this charter a plan on how to get our
project accomplished but to persuade to Dr. Bruce that we are responsible of handling
this project. By setting a mission statement, delegating roles to each member, writing up a
deadline to accomplish our milestones and having a conflict resolution we are proving
that we are capable of completing this project. We exemplified SLO (6) when we
delegated specific tasks for each group member to focus specifically during this project.
For example, Holly was our project manager, Steven was our editing manager and
Connie and I were the research manager. By collaborating together we all managed to
complete our guides and meet iFixits specific milestones in a timely manner.
In my writers notebook on the rhetorical triangle I presented the importance of
SLO (1) to demonstrate my understanding of the rhetorical aspect and how important
knowing who my audiences are will change the tone of my writing. (SLO 4) was
accomplished by organizing a rhetorical triangle about iPhone 5 so I can organize my
purpose, audience and context, communication and message. By organizing these five
factors out I will be able to focus on why each of these factors are important to the aspect
of rhetorical writing.
Reflecting back on my performance for this class I feel like I have developed
better as a writer and learned practical skills to apply rhetorical focus to my writing. I will
constantly practice what I learned this year to organize my writing and be more aware of
my audience.
Sincerely,
Susan Cao