Wednesday, December 10, 2008
What I've Learned This Semester...
So much can be taken from our class this semester. We have learned and read much information about a variety of technical documents that will certainly be useful in the future. We have discussed such documents as resumes, cover letters, and emails. We discussed the importance of any type of informative writing, no matter the level of formality. We also investigated many ethical cases and considerations. It could be seen that many crises involving business affairs and technical writing samples could have been avoided by simply following ethical principles. The project was also a very beneficial experience. It was refreshing to work on a project for an entire semester and see an impressive final product. I learned many useful skills involving website creation and multimedia applications. I also learned about myself as a leader and how to better work with others. It was also interesting to listen to the input of so many intelligent people in class twice a week!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Ethics 5: Dombrowski pp 152-233
Tobacco and Death: When is a Cause Not a Cause?
- millions of people have died from diseases specifically caused by smoking
- think about differences between this incident and the accidental death of seven astronauts
- both technical and scientific information are specialized, usually quantitative knowledge, that were used for personal and cooperate gain
Cause
- statistical causation- probability of what will happen in a population or group but says nothing about individual cases
- useful for health issues such as infectious diseases
- also public safety
sophists are known for eristics- arguing for the sake of defending the opponent, rather than for the sake of society
- relates to tobacco industry because the tobacco industry defended itself by going on the offensive using doctors and scientists who were willing to oppose the representation of the connection as casual
- documents outline struggle between tobacco industry and various public and private groups
1950s- tobacco industry wanted to assure public that there was "no proof that cigarette smoking was a cause of lung cancer"
- used misrepresentations- referred to reports linking smoking to cancer as theories or experiments
1960s- U.S. Surgeon General appointed an advisory committee to investigate the health effects of smoking
- nicotine was addictive
1970s- filtered cigarettes
- still using the term "perception"
1990s- public and private outcries, governmental inquiries
- "believe"
Aristotle- truth as a virtue- there is no doubt that smoking is harmful
Kant- act in such a manner that you wish your actions could become universal
utilitarian- cost vs. benefits
Star Wars
- claims made about the ability of the proposed software to operate the Star Wars system were exaggerated/selectively represented
- millions of people have died from diseases specifically caused by smoking
- think about differences between this incident and the accidental death of seven astronauts
- both technical and scientific information are specialized, usually quantitative knowledge, that were used for personal and cooperate gain
Cause
- statistical causation- probability of what will happen in a population or group but says nothing about individual cases
- useful for health issues such as infectious diseases
- also public safety
sophists are known for eristics- arguing for the sake of defending the opponent, rather than for the sake of society
- relates to tobacco industry because the tobacco industry defended itself by going on the offensive using doctors and scientists who were willing to oppose the representation of the connection as casual
- documents outline struggle between tobacco industry and various public and private groups
1950s- tobacco industry wanted to assure public that there was "no proof that cigarette smoking was a cause of lung cancer"
- used misrepresentations- referred to reports linking smoking to cancer as theories or experiments
1960s- U.S. Surgeon General appointed an advisory committee to investigate the health effects of smoking
- nicotine was addictive
1970s- filtered cigarettes
- still using the term "perception"
1990s- public and private outcries, governmental inquiries
- "believe"
Aristotle- truth as a virtue- there is no doubt that smoking is harmful
Kant- act in such a manner that you wish your actions could become universal
utilitarian- cost vs. benefits
Star Wars
- claims made about the ability of the proposed software to operate the Star Wars system were exaggerated/selectively represented
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Harty 347-381
And Now a Word (or Two or Three About Ethics)
- All business and technical writing must not only meet the needs of its intended audiences and follow a process approach, but it must also adhere to the strictest ethical and legal standards.
Communication Failures Contributing to the Challenger Accident: An Example for Technical Communicators
Challenger- Why did those who knew the problem not convince those in power to stop the launch?
1) managers and engineers viewing the same facts from different perspectives
2) the general difficulty of either sending or receiving bad news when it must be passed to superiors or outsiders
- communication is shared interpretation not facts
Physical cause of the accident
- failure of a rubber seal in the solid rocket booster
- failure should not have been unexpected
Early Responses to Bad News: Disbelief and Failure to Send Upward
- could admit that there was a problem, as long as it could be blame on someone else
- early signs of O-ring problems were pass relayed to NASA
Continued Bad News Rejection Despite Contradictory Evidence
- optimistic view persisted
- July 1985- no other flights would take place until O-ring erosion at the nozzle joint had been fixed or shown not to be a problem
The Split between Managers and Engineers
- information was not communicated and launch was scheduled anyway
- it was rescheduled a day later and temp was 17 degrees below any other launch
Conclusion
- no one at MTI or Marshall wanted to believe the growing evidence of O-ring problems
- even when MTI engineers came to believe that a problem existed, they had a difficult time convincing their management, with its different perspective on operations, to interpret the facts in the same light
- both engineers and managers at MTU were especially reluctant to communicate bad news to those outside the company
How to Lie with Statistics
- used to sensationalize
- You can prove about anything you want to by letting your sample bias itself
Truncated graphs- you can chop off the bottom or other data to deceive people
well-chosen average- mean vs. median
The insignificant Difference or the elusive error- ignoring the error in a sample study can lead to all kinds of silly conclusions
- when you use decimals, it sounds like you know the exact number for sure
- unwarranted assumptions: smoking produces dull minds; not actually related
Determining the Ethics of Style-
- Ethics is the study of right and wrong conduct
- guiding philosophy
Ethics and The Professions
Computer Ethics
1) Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.
2) Thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer work.
3) Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's computer files.
4) Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
5) Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.
6) Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid
7) Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources without authorization or proper compensation.
8) Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual output.
9) Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system you are designing.
10) Thou shalt always use a computer in ways that insure consideration and respect for fellow humans.
Legal and Ethical Issues in Editing
- verify permission to reprint
- use symbols
- one can own intellectual property
Copyright- original work of authorship
- copyright is automatic as soon as a work exists in fixed form and protectino does not require a notice or registration
libel- defamatory statement without basis in fact that shames or lowers the public reputation of an identifiable person
- All business and technical writing must not only meet the needs of its intended audiences and follow a process approach, but it must also adhere to the strictest ethical and legal standards.
Communication Failures Contributing to the Challenger Accident: An Example for Technical Communicators
Challenger- Why did those who knew the problem not convince those in power to stop the launch?
1) managers and engineers viewing the same facts from different perspectives
2) the general difficulty of either sending or receiving bad news when it must be passed to superiors or outsiders
- communication is shared interpretation not facts
Physical cause of the accident
- failure of a rubber seal in the solid rocket booster
- failure should not have been unexpected
Early Responses to Bad News: Disbelief and Failure to Send Upward
- could admit that there was a problem, as long as it could be blame on someone else
- early signs of O-ring problems were pass relayed to NASA
Continued Bad News Rejection Despite Contradictory Evidence
- optimistic view persisted
- July 1985- no other flights would take place until O-ring erosion at the nozzle joint had been fixed or shown not to be a problem
The Split between Managers and Engineers
- information was not communicated and launch was scheduled anyway
- it was rescheduled a day later and temp was 17 degrees below any other launch
Conclusion
- no one at MTI or Marshall wanted to believe the growing evidence of O-ring problems
- even when MTI engineers came to believe that a problem existed, they had a difficult time convincing their management, with its different perspective on operations, to interpret the facts in the same light
- both engineers and managers at MTU were especially reluctant to communicate bad news to those outside the company
How to Lie with Statistics
- used to sensationalize
- You can prove about anything you want to by letting your sample bias itself
Truncated graphs- you can chop off the bottom or other data to deceive people
well-chosen average- mean vs. median
The insignificant Difference or the elusive error- ignoring the error in a sample study can lead to all kinds of silly conclusions
- when you use decimals, it sounds like you know the exact number for sure
- unwarranted assumptions: smoking produces dull minds; not actually related
Determining the Ethics of Style-
- Ethics is the study of right and wrong conduct
- guiding philosophy
Ethics and The Professions
Computer Ethics
1) Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.
2) Thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer work.
3) Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's computer files.
4) Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
5) Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.
6) Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid
7) Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources without authorization or proper compensation.
8) Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual output.
9) Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system you are designing.
10) Thou shalt always use a computer in ways that insure consideration and respect for fellow humans.
Legal and Ethical Issues in Editing
- verify permission to reprint
- use symbols
- one can own intellectual property
Copyright- original work of authorship
- copyright is automatic as soon as a work exists in fixed form and protectino does not require a notice or registration
libel- defamatory statement without basis in fact that shames or lowers the public reputation of an identifiable person
Monday, November 10, 2008
Harty pg 306-344
The Basics of a Cover Letter
- marketing tool
- highlight most attractive features
Format
- employer assessed your organizational skills and attention to detail
The Part of the Letter
- proper format is necessary to be a credible candidate
Business Style vs. Personal Style
- in business style, elements begin at left margin
- in personal style, return address and complimentary close begin at centerline of page and paragraphs are indented
Return Address- top margin, without name
- no abbrevs.
Date- two lines below return address, left or centered
Inside Address- four lines beneath date
- addressee's full name
Salutation- two lines beneath company's address
- never first name, "Dear Mr./Ms."
Length- 3/4 short paragraphs on one page
Enclosure- formal/official correspondence
Paper Size- smaller=more personal
Paper Quality and Color- white/ivory
Typing and Printing- word processing program on computer
- not handwritten
Envelope- business-sized envelope, type envelopes
Content
- Personalize Each Letter
- Mapping It Out- highlight one/two accomplishments/abilities
- why do you have an interest in the company?
1st para- state position, mention source
2nd para- contributions to company
3rd- show how you exceed requirements,
4th- say you look forward to hearing from them
Complimentary Close- 2 lines beneath body of letter, "Sincerely,"
Tips for Successful Cover Letters
What Writing Style is Appropriate?- polite, formal, clear, objective, persuasive
Tone:Reserved Confidence is Always in Style- how to sell, enthusiastic but not melodramatic
Emphasize Concrete Examples
Use Powerful Language- hard-hitting, yet easy to understand
Avoid Catchphrases- list details
Mention Personal Preferences?- refrain from offering salary info
Proof With Care- mistakes are embarrassing and can remove you from consideration
Cover Letter Blunders to Avoid
- Unrelated Career Goals
- Comparisons and Cliches, ex: "people person"
- Wasted Space- every word of every sentence should be directly related to purpose
- Form Letters- mass mailings=bad
- Inappropriate Stationery- no graphics, neutral colors
- "Amusing" Anecdotes- determine appropriate demeanor
- Erroneous Company Information- don't confuse company with others
- Desperation- sound determined, not desperate
- Personal Photos- NONE
- Confessed Shortcomings
- Misrepresentation- could be grounds for dismissal
- Demanding Statements- demonstrate what you can do for employer, not what employer can do for you
- Missing Resume- don't leave out any materials, you will never know they weren't there
- Personal Info- no age/health/marital status/political views/religion
- Choice of Pronouns- limit 3rd person
- Tone Trouble- subtle, "Does this statements enhance my candidacy?"
- Gimmicks- stick to qualifications
- Typographical Errors
- Messy Corrections- retype if you forget something
- Omitted Signature
Cover Letters for Special Institutuions
- highlight strengths, not weaknesses
Response to a "Blind" Advertisement- tailor your letter to any information given even though you don't know employer
Cold Letters- writing an employer without previous correspondence or referral
Broadcast Letters- reflect experience knowledge, and confidence in his/her abilities
- used by exectives
Letter to an Employment Agency- who you are, type of position, type of industry
Letter to an Executive Search Firm- briefly highlight most impressive accomplishments, even though they actively recruit candidates for client companies
Networking Letters- third-party industry contact to garner the reader's attention and induce him/her to help you in your job search
Thank You Letters- can be handwritten, not on postcard, check spelling of names, send promptly
Your Resume on the Internet
- distributing a resume is the least effective activity
The Myth about the Internet Resume
- need only one resume
Need:
1) a designed or hard-copy version
2) a scannable version
3) a plain-text version
4) an e-mail version
- also maybe HTML
Rules for Responding Online
- Format your resume correctly for email.
- Send your resume int he body of the e-mail message
- Attachments include cover letter
- Use the advertised job title or job code in the subject line of your e-mail message
- read the application instructions included in the job announcement and follow them exactly
E-Resumes are not just for E-Mail
- Don't recommend creating your resume on a website because it is easy to have typos and the form may not be completely correct, you cannot easily save it
Preparing a Perfect Plain-Text Resume
- Use Word
1) Check Keywords.
2) Save your resume as a Text Only document.
3) Delete any page numbers.
4) Use all CAPS for words that need special emphasis
5) Replace each bullet point with a standard keyboard symbol
6) Use straight quotes in place of curly quotes
7) Rearrange text if necessary
8) Limit line lengths.
9) Save as Text Only with line breaks
10) Copy the entire text in your ResTextBreak.txt document that you've opened in Notepad, and paste it in the body of the e-mail message.
Where, oh, Where Should That Resume Go?
- Post on 1-2 large online databases.
- Post on 1-2 targeted resume databases specific to your industry
Protect Yourself Online
1) Does the site have a comprehensive privacy policy?
2) Do you hav eto register a profile or resume before you can search through the jobs?
3) Are most of the jobs posted by employers or by agencies on behalf of employers?
4) Can you set up one or more "e-mail agents" that will send matching jobs to you when you are not at the site?
5) Who has access to the database resumes?
6) Can you limit access to your personal contact information?
7) Can you store more than one version of your resume so that you can customize it for different type of opportunities?
8) Will you be able to edit your resume once you have posted it?
9) Will you be able to delete your resume after you have found a job?
Before you Post, Something to Think About
1) Do you want your resume public?
2) Are you prepared for the consequences should an electronic resume come back to haunt you?
Resume Blasters: The Wave of the Future or a new form of Spam?
- sometimes resumes are accurately distributed once money has been collected
- or sent when employer didn't request them- with low success rate
Help with Resume and Cover Letters
- list books/internet sources on page 332-333
Follow-Up Letters
Networking Interview Follow-Up Letters
- thank someone for taking time out of their schedule to talk to you
- reminds the reader who you are and the fact that you're looking for a job
- opening, your comments on the meeting, closing
Opening- brief, thank reader for their time
Comment- say something positive about the meeting
Closing- promise of getting in touch and request to keep you in mind
Job Interview Follow-Up Letters- more important
- more clearly remember those applicants that send thank-you notes
- remind of your skills/experiences
- tailor to job, include a pitch (why me and why you)
Job Acceptance Follow-Up Letter
- don't include any type of sales pitch
- be enthusiastic
Job Turndown Follow-Up Letters
- turn down over phone
- industries are small world- may see/work with them again
- be courteous and gracious
Job Rejection Follow-Up Letters
- will bear fruit at a later date
- may have been second choice
- thanks for consideration
Follow-Up Letters to Networking Contacts
- remind contacts you're looking for a job
- marketing tool
- highlight most attractive features
Format
- employer assessed your organizational skills and attention to detail
The Part of the Letter
- proper format is necessary to be a credible candidate
Business Style vs. Personal Style
- in business style, elements begin at left margin
- in personal style, return address and complimentary close begin at centerline of page and paragraphs are indented
Return Address- top margin, without name
- no abbrevs.
Date- two lines below return address, left or centered
Inside Address- four lines beneath date
- addressee's full name
Salutation- two lines beneath company's address
- never first name, "Dear Mr./Ms."
Length- 3/4 short paragraphs on one page
Enclosure- formal/official correspondence
Paper Size- smaller=more personal
Paper Quality and Color- white/ivory
Typing and Printing- word processing program on computer
- not handwritten
Envelope- business-sized envelope, type envelopes
Content
- Personalize Each Letter
- Mapping It Out- highlight one/two accomplishments/abilities
- why do you have an interest in the company?
1st para- state position, mention source
2nd para- contributions to company
3rd- show how you exceed requirements,
4th- say you look forward to hearing from them
Complimentary Close- 2 lines beneath body of letter, "Sincerely,"
Tips for Successful Cover Letters
What Writing Style is Appropriate?- polite, formal, clear, objective, persuasive
Tone:Reserved Confidence is Always in Style- how to sell, enthusiastic but not melodramatic
Emphasize Concrete Examples
Use Powerful Language- hard-hitting, yet easy to understand
Avoid Catchphrases- list details
Mention Personal Preferences?- refrain from offering salary info
Proof With Care- mistakes are embarrassing and can remove you from consideration
Cover Letter Blunders to Avoid
- Unrelated Career Goals
- Comparisons and Cliches, ex: "people person"
- Wasted Space- every word of every sentence should be directly related to purpose
- Form Letters- mass mailings=bad
- Inappropriate Stationery- no graphics, neutral colors
- "Amusing" Anecdotes- determine appropriate demeanor
- Erroneous Company Information- don't confuse company with others
- Desperation- sound determined, not desperate
- Personal Photos- NONE
- Confessed Shortcomings
- Misrepresentation- could be grounds for dismissal
- Demanding Statements- demonstrate what you can do for employer, not what employer can do for you
- Missing Resume- don't leave out any materials, you will never know they weren't there
- Personal Info- no age/health/marital status/political views/religion
- Choice of Pronouns- limit 3rd person
- Tone Trouble- subtle, "Does this statements enhance my candidacy?"
- Gimmicks- stick to qualifications
- Typographical Errors
- Messy Corrections- retype if you forget something
- Omitted Signature
Cover Letters for Special Institutuions
- highlight strengths, not weaknesses
Response to a "Blind" Advertisement- tailor your letter to any information given even though you don't know employer
Cold Letters- writing an employer without previous correspondence or referral
Broadcast Letters- reflect experience knowledge, and confidence in his/her abilities
- used by exectives
Letter to an Employment Agency- who you are, type of position, type of industry
Letter to an Executive Search Firm- briefly highlight most impressive accomplishments, even though they actively recruit candidates for client companies
Networking Letters- third-party industry contact to garner the reader's attention and induce him/her to help you in your job search
Thank You Letters- can be handwritten, not on postcard, check spelling of names, send promptly
Your Resume on the Internet
- distributing a resume is the least effective activity
The Myth about the Internet Resume
- need only one resume
Need:
1) a designed or hard-copy version
2) a scannable version
3) a plain-text version
4) an e-mail version
- also maybe HTML
Rules for Responding Online
- Format your resume correctly for email.
- Send your resume int he body of the e-mail message
- Attachments include cover letter
- Use the advertised job title or job code in the subject line of your e-mail message
- read the application instructions included in the job announcement and follow them exactly
E-Resumes are not just for E-Mail
- Don't recommend creating your resume on a website because it is easy to have typos and the form may not be completely correct, you cannot easily save it
Preparing a Perfect Plain-Text Resume
- Use Word
1) Check Keywords.
2) Save your resume as a Text Only document.
3) Delete any page numbers.
4) Use all CAPS for words that need special emphasis
5) Replace each bullet point with a standard keyboard symbol
6) Use straight quotes in place of curly quotes
7) Rearrange text if necessary
8) Limit line lengths.
9) Save as Text Only with line breaks
10) Copy the entire text in your ResTextBreak.txt document that you've opened in Notepad, and paste it in the body of the e-mail message.
Where, oh, Where Should That Resume Go?
- Post on 1-2 large online databases.
- Post on 1-2 targeted resume databases specific to your industry
Protect Yourself Online
1) Does the site have a comprehensive privacy policy?
2) Do you hav eto register a profile or resume before you can search through the jobs?
3) Are most of the jobs posted by employers or by agencies on behalf of employers?
4) Can you set up one or more "e-mail agents" that will send matching jobs to you when you are not at the site?
5) Who has access to the database resumes?
6) Can you limit access to your personal contact information?
7) Can you store more than one version of your resume so that you can customize it for different type of opportunities?
8) Will you be able to edit your resume once you have posted it?
9) Will you be able to delete your resume after you have found a job?
Before you Post, Something to Think About
1) Do you want your resume public?
2) Are you prepared for the consequences should an electronic resume come back to haunt you?
Resume Blasters: The Wave of the Future or a new form of Spam?
- sometimes resumes are accurately distributed once money has been collected
- or sent when employer didn't request them- with low success rate
Help with Resume and Cover Letters
- list books/internet sources on page 332-333
Follow-Up Letters
Networking Interview Follow-Up Letters
- thank someone for taking time out of their schedule to talk to you
- reminds the reader who you are and the fact that you're looking for a job
- opening, your comments on the meeting, closing
Opening- brief, thank reader for their time
Comment- say something positive about the meeting
Closing- promise of getting in touch and request to keep you in mind
Job Interview Follow-Up Letters- more important
- more clearly remember those applicants that send thank-you notes
- remind of your skills/experiences
- tailor to job, include a pitch (why me and why you)
Job Acceptance Follow-Up Letter
- don't include any type of sales pitch
- be enthusiastic
Job Turndown Follow-Up Letters
- turn down over phone
- industries are small world- may see/work with them again
- be courteous and gracious
Job Rejection Follow-Up Letters
- will bear fruit at a later date
- may have been second choice
- thanks for consideration
Follow-Up Letters to Networking Contacts
- remind contacts you're looking for a job
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Harty pg 275-306
Part 5- Resumes and Other Written Materials for a Job Search
difficult audience- experienced recruiting managers
-There is no one way to write a resume or cover letter.
- purpose of writing resume/cover letter: to get an interview
Managers look for:
- written and oral communication skills
- computer skills
- interpersonal skills- as demonstrated by the ability to work as a member of a team
- self-reliance and initiative, as demonstrated by the ability to work alone
- a sense of what the world demands in terms of professionalism and deadlines
- specific skills in at least one business or technical area supplemented by secondary skills in a variety of related areas
- a sense of business and personal ethics
- the ability to manage time, set priorities, and work under stress
Munschauer- Writing Resumes and Letters in the Language of Employers
Why use a resume?
- the convey a message, a way to court employers
- Don't confuse customers by flaunting things that don't speak to their needs
Giving your Message
- example of two letters written by job applicant; "I"
The Importance of Knowing What the Job is All About
- it is important to determine the best way to get a message across
- sometimes there is no substitute for a resume
Letters of Application
- if work history and activities don't support the job that you want, a letter is necessary to get the job
Hard Work and Attention to Detail Make for a Good Letter
- write a letter that sets you apart and is organized, not a literary masterpiece
Don't Delegate the Job of Letter Writing
Resume Preparation
- job objective should not be long-winded
- the reader should be able to take a great deal in with one look
- do not feature information that is not of primary interest
- list skills related to the job
- waitress example
Janet Smith- Proper Use of Headlines
- sometimes description of activity is needed
- Beware of misleading headlines; church example
- highlight names of impressive companies
Mark Meyers- The Functional Resume
- described function of the job wanted and things he had done that pertained to these functions
Preparing a Resume for a Specific Job
- take cues from employer
- use job description
Bruce Gregory Robertson- A Resume Reflecting an Active Mind and Body
- employers are interested in candidates for what they can learn
- high energy level
Michelle Trio- The Curriculum Vitae
-C.V.- course of life
- resume for academic positions
- not just abilities, but prestige
- can be long
The Job Objective
- Career Interest headline
One Page or Two?
- length depends on message
- don't sacrifice headings and white space
difficult audience- experienced recruiting managers
-There is no one way to write a resume or cover letter.
- purpose of writing resume/cover letter: to get an interview
Managers look for:
- written and oral communication skills
- computer skills
- interpersonal skills- as demonstrated by the ability to work as a member of a team
- self-reliance and initiative, as demonstrated by the ability to work alone
- a sense of what the world demands in terms of professionalism and deadlines
- specific skills in at least one business or technical area supplemented by secondary skills in a variety of related areas
- a sense of business and personal ethics
- the ability to manage time, set priorities, and work under stress
Munschauer- Writing Resumes and Letters in the Language of Employers
Why use a resume?
- the convey a message, a way to court employers
- Don't confuse customers by flaunting things that don't speak to their needs
Giving your Message
- example of two letters written by job applicant; "I"
The Importance of Knowing What the Job is All About
- it is important to determine the best way to get a message across
- sometimes there is no substitute for a resume
Letters of Application
- if work history and activities don't support the job that you want, a letter is necessary to get the job
Hard Work and Attention to Detail Make for a Good Letter
- write a letter that sets you apart and is organized, not a literary masterpiece
Don't Delegate the Job of Letter Writing
Resume Preparation
- job objective should not be long-winded
- the reader should be able to take a great deal in with one look
- do not feature information that is not of primary interest
- list skills related to the job
- waitress example
Janet Smith- Proper Use of Headlines
- sometimes description of activity is needed
- Beware of misleading headlines; church example
- highlight names of impressive companies
Mark Meyers- The Functional Resume
- described function of the job wanted and things he had done that pertained to these functions
Preparing a Resume for a Specific Job
- take cues from employer
- use job description
Bruce Gregory Robertson- A Resume Reflecting an Active Mind and Body
- employers are interested in candidates for what they can learn
- high energy level
Michelle Trio- The Curriculum Vitae
-C.V.- course of life
- resume for academic positions
- not just abilities, but prestige
- can be long
The Job Objective
- Career Interest headline
One Page or Two?
- length depends on message
- don't sacrifice headings and white space
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Multimedia component
We are considering a variety of video projects for our restaurant database project. We will not be in the videos, as we are to remain anonymous reviewers. We will interview restaurant customers, employees, and managers. Managers may be able to provide additional information about why customers should visit their restaurant over others. We may also interview people that go to the restaurants with us. We have yet to begin filming. We will interview managers, customers, and employees after our reviews are complete so that our ratings will not be swayed by any new information or others' opinions.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Ethics 3: pg 81-121
Nazi Records: The Origin and Use of Information
- will illustrate potential ethical pitfalls
- distinguishing feature of humankind: language and a sense of ethical responsibility
- technical documents are not ethically neutral
1st example: whether information obtained illegally and unethically by Nazi "researchers" should be disseminated and used
2nd example: examine a specific Nazi technical document- illustrates interplay between values and language
Origination, Dissemination, and Use of Information
- purpose: to show that ethical considerations apply not only to the document itself or its content but also to how the informational content was obtained and how it likely will be used
Nazi Past
Nuremberg Trials- held after WWII involving Nazi leaders for war crimes against civilians and soldiers
new term- genocide- Nazi crimes against humanity and Jewish people
concentration camps- meant to isolate undesirables from general populace
Controversy in the Present
- controversy about Nazi "scientific" information collected unethically
- ex: medical specimens of human organs
Medical Specimens
- some skeletons used in universities in Germany had been gathered from Nazi camps
- there was no informed consent
"Research" Information
ex: hypothermia experiment information being used now to develop survival equipment
NEMJ decided to not use any information gathered unethically
- some proposed that the research be used to give meaning to the victims suffering
Values in Nazi Medical "Science"
Traditional View-
- there were 7X more physicians in Nazi party than other professions
in reference to this: Robert Jay Lifton- "The healer became the killer, and healing became killing."
- masked language played an important role in communication about medical killing
- "Euthanasia"(mercy killing) and "special treatment" (medical killing)
Nazi Antiscience
- beyond racism- some believe that the horrible activities can be explained through inhumaneness and unethicalness of science itself
"objectivization"- treating people as objects
Research in the United States
-if evidence was illegally obtained, it cannot be used
- Miranda rights- without proper awareness of one's rigthts so as to allow informed consert to obtaint he evidence, the evidence is deemed inadmissible
Tuskegee syphilis experiment- 1920s- African American patients were given placebos as an experiment
- many tech. communicators will not be involved in Nazi/Tuskegee research projects, but many situations involve the means and ends ethical tainting technical information
- this information should not be communicated
Nazi Technical Memorandum
memo from death camp
- talk about people using impersonal, technical language
ex: 97,000..., subjects, cargo area, load, reduction of volume
- technically excellent
Nazi Germany- distinction between means and ends became blurred and they tried to do anything that was technically possible
- modern high technology is being consumed for its own sake
- documents are written in passive voice, no compassion
- emotional and ethical distance from writer and subject
Graphical Images
- racial purity
- studied facial features of Jews
Ethical Appraisal
- inadequate to call Nazi actions "unethical"
Aristotle- condemn Nazi regime, goodness and doing the right thing; use info- could achieve greater good
Kant- assumes equivalence of all people; not sure about using info
Utilitarianism- seeks greatest good, would use info- communicating to others would only yield positive benefits
Feminist, Ethics of Care- Authoritarianism (Nazi regime is example) is criticized by feminists; also Nazi showed uncaring attitude; Use information because this would display caring concern for those now living
- will illustrate potential ethical pitfalls
- distinguishing feature of humankind: language and a sense of ethical responsibility
- technical documents are not ethically neutral
1st example: whether information obtained illegally and unethically by Nazi "researchers" should be disseminated and used
2nd example: examine a specific Nazi technical document- illustrates interplay between values and language
Origination, Dissemination, and Use of Information
- purpose: to show that ethical considerations apply not only to the document itself or its content but also to how the informational content was obtained and how it likely will be used
Nazi Past
Nuremberg Trials- held after WWII involving Nazi leaders for war crimes against civilians and soldiers
new term- genocide- Nazi crimes against humanity and Jewish people
concentration camps- meant to isolate undesirables from general populace
Controversy in the Present
- controversy about Nazi "scientific" information collected unethically
- ex: medical specimens of human organs
Medical Specimens
- some skeletons used in universities in Germany had been gathered from Nazi camps
- there was no informed consent
"Research" Information
ex: hypothermia experiment information being used now to develop survival equipment
NEMJ decided to not use any information gathered unethically
- some proposed that the research be used to give meaning to the victims suffering
Values in Nazi Medical "Science"
Traditional View-
- there were 7X more physicians in Nazi party than other professions
in reference to this: Robert Jay Lifton- "The healer became the killer, and healing became killing."
- masked language played an important role in communication about medical killing
- "Euthanasia"(mercy killing) and "special treatment" (medical killing)
Nazi Antiscience
- beyond racism- some believe that the horrible activities can be explained through inhumaneness and unethicalness of science itself
"objectivization"- treating people as objects
Research in the United States
-if evidence was illegally obtained, it cannot be used
- Miranda rights- without proper awareness of one's rigthts so as to allow informed consert to obtaint he evidence, the evidence is deemed inadmissible
Tuskegee syphilis experiment- 1920s- African American patients were given placebos as an experiment
- many tech. communicators will not be involved in Nazi/Tuskegee research projects, but many situations involve the means and ends ethical tainting technical information
- this information should not be communicated
Nazi Technical Memorandum
memo from death camp
- talk about people using impersonal, technical language
ex: 97,000..., subjects, cargo area, load, reduction of volume
- technically excellent
Nazi Germany- distinction between means and ends became blurred and they tried to do anything that was technically possible
- modern high technology is being consumed for its own sake
- documents are written in passive voice, no compassion
- emotional and ethical distance from writer and subject
Graphical Images
- racial purity
- studied facial features of Jews
Ethical Appraisal
- inadequate to call Nazi actions "unethical"
Aristotle- condemn Nazi regime, goodness and doing the right thing; use info- could achieve greater good
Kant- assumes equivalence of all people; not sure about using info
Utilitarianism- seeks greatest good, would use info- communicating to others would only yield positive benefits
Feminist, Ethics of Care- Authoritarianism (Nazi regime is example) is criticized by feminists; also Nazi showed uncaring attitude; Use information because this would display caring concern for those now living
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