Writing Projects
Instructions for Miraheze Migration
Competencies: Written Communication; Project Management/Project Planning; Visual Communication; Audience Awareness
Personal Characteristics: Collaboration; Time Management
Technologies: Miraheze; Lucidchart; Google Suite
Project Description: When the PSU Technical Writing Program migrated content from Google Sites to Miraheze, my team developed a new information architecture (IA) that organized the existing content into categories in a non-hierarchical, interconnected, and flexible design. We also created a procedure document for future site editors that described how to add articles to categories, create new categories, add categories to the side menu, and link articles to other relevant articles.
Willamina Public Library LSTA Grant
Competencies: Written Communication; Project Management/Project Planning; Visual Communication; Audience Awareness
Personal Characteristics: Collaboration; Time Management
Technologies: Google Suite; Zoom
Project Description: On behalf of the Willamina public library, I worked with two other students to write this funding request to the State Library of Oregon, which offers several grant opportunities. The Willamina public library intended to use the funding to procure Chromebooks and charging states to increase access to the internet in the community. Our writing group met with the Willamina library director, as well as several volunteers, in order to under the scope of the project, the needs of the communities, and community demographics in order to develop a rhetorically effective document.
This project successfully resulted in the Willamina Public Library receiving $20,500 from various foundations.
WR 121 Canvas Site Redesign
Competencies: Written Communication; User Research; Editing; Audience Awareness
Personal Characteristics: Detail-oriented; Organization; Independence/initiative/motivation
Technologies: Canvas
Project Description: This project was undertaken in order to improve the design of my WR 121 Canvas site for future students based on feedback provided by past students. I conducted a survey to determine what challenges the students encountered with the existing design, what they felt worked, and how comfortable they felt using it. Using that information, I made several design changes that streamlined the user experience, so that students will be able to easily find the resources they need (such as readings, assignment sheets, and lecture slides), as well as find out what they need to do for the next class.
Benefits Guide
Competencies: Written Communication
Personal Characteristics: Detail-oriented; Learning
Technologies: MadCap Flare
Project Description: This project acted as an opportunity for me to learn how to use the MadCap Flare software tool. Authoring tools like MadCap Flare software offer topic-based authoring, single-sourcing, and multi-channel publication, which streamlines content delivery technical writers. I developed this benefits guide for a fictional publishing company.
Swordfish User Guide
Competencies: Written Communication
Personal Characteristics: Learning
Technologies: Swordfish, Microsoft Word, XML, Command Line
Project Description: For this project, I developed a user guide for Swordfish, an open standards-based translation tool. This user guide details the process of a converting a file into XML, using the Swordfish translation tool, and converting the file into a Word document. I incorporated screenshots and detailed step-by-step instructions to guide users through this process.
Usability Analysis Report
Competencies: User Research; Usability and Testing; Written Communication; Audience Awareness
Personal Characteristics: Collaboration; Time Management; Critical Thinking; Problem Solving; Flexibility
Technologies: Google Docs
Project Description: This topline report contains the findings of our team’s usability test of the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) website. This report was presented to the client, the Assistant Director of Language Services at OHSU. Within this document, we reported the structure of our test plan for the usability test, our key findings from the usability test, and our recommendations. I drafted the executive summary. Additionally, I analyzed, evaluated, and summarized data from the usability test and moderator notes to produce key findings.
Writing Samples on External Sites
Humanitarian Aid Article for PSU TC Topics Site
Competencies: Research; Audience Awareness; Information Design; Technical Writing
Personal Characteristics: Organization; Creativity
Technologies: Miraheze
Project Description: I researched and drafted an article on the role of technical communication within humanitarian aid organizations. This article was developed using plain language and published to the PSU TC Wiki site, which is hosted on Miraheze. Click the button below to view the article.
Portland Monthly Articles
Competencies: Research, Audience Awareness, Content Development
Personal Characteristics: Creativity, Problem Solving, Interpersonal, Flexibility; Independence
Technologies: Microsoft Word, Slack
Project Description: As an intern for Portland Monthly magazine, I wrote articles that were published in print and on their online blog. The process of writing these articles included pitching ideas, finding and interviewing sources, writing according to a style guide, and producing multiple drafts.