Reading Reflection: Chapter 11

To me, this was probably the most interesting chapter because I enjoy conveying a message visually more than I do textually. As it stated multiple times throughout the chapter, humans are more accustomed to visual messages. As a therapeutic recreation specialist, knowing how to make fliers or handouts that catch the eye are important. I can use these within facilities to help clients be interested in the recreation therapy program if it is something that is optional.

This was also a useful chapter to read because I teach sunday school. I use a lot of powerpoints to teach in order to keep my lesson organized and to keep my class's attention. Because of what I learned, I will take the time to make my powerpoints less basic and more visually appealing. I will do this by using the CARBS method.

Reading Reflection: Chapter 10

As a student pursuing a career as a therapeutic recreation specialist, I think the type of report I would use most would be a progress report. It could be used to help the companies I work for see the progress that is being made by my clientele as a whole in their physical, mental, and socio-emotional growth. This kind of report is the closest thing to the reports that we write as therapists to evaluate a clients' improvement. A report like this would help the company see that therapeutic recreation is beneficial and requires adequate financing in order for clients to have an impacting experiencing.

This is an important skill to have in order to bring into effect major decisions. As it states on page 135, most major decisions won't be made without a written report. This is important so that those making the decision can see the statistics and reasoning behind why the decision was made.

Reading Reflection: Chapter 9

One thing that is useful when doing is research is knowing the Boolean operators so that you can narrow down on the search engine the specifics you need. I had learned this in high school but have since forgotten what words to use and how to use them. This will be useful in my up and coming research papers.

I also thought it was valuable how the different types of documentations for explained. As a TA, the papers I grade are so much more interesting if they have a nice mix of quotes, paraphrasing, and summary. This also makes the papers seem more credible. When I see each of these methods I know that the student is trying to integrate what they learned from the research into their analysis. It also provides for flow and makes the paper less choppy to read.

Reading Reflection: Chapter 8

I like how problems were viewed as not something negative but a challenge that requires solving to raise the quality of something. I often think of problems as something that would happen occasionally and would be dealt with as they came up. After reading this chapter, I recognize that we should always have new goals in mind to improve the workplace or a client--in other words, solving problems.

In therapeutic recreation, you are constantly solving problems because you are taking each client, understanding what their problems and limitations are, and then creating a plan to use recreation to help solve that problem. The cause-and-effect diagram, as shown on page 101, will be a very useful tool for me as a CTRS so that I can locate the cause of a clients behavior, not just the symptoms. After you have discovered the problem, the book directs us on how to develop a solution. I will often develop solutions with teams of therapists--thus, the information on group work and brainstorming was useful to me.

Reading Reflection: Chapter 7

This chapter was significant to me because I am in the process of applying for jobs in the summer. Something I learned about building a resume was not to just use the same resume for every application but to cater it to the company you are applying for. One way to do so is to use the same wording in your resume that they use in their job post. I also learned that a more powerful resume lists quantified results statements of your accomplishments instead of just your job duties. This way your future employer (hopefully) can see what your job consisted of and how well you excelled at performing the labor. 

I enjoyed learning about the PAR stories because now I can be more effective in marketing myself in interviews. I especially liked the example of how to describe our weaknesses and turn them into strengths. This could also apply to dating.

Reading Reflection: Chapter 6

This chapter explains the different methods of spreading information across an organization--whether it's by letter or email. It also explains different approaches you should take based on the type of your message. This includes bad-news letters, persuasive letters, sharing good news, offering condolences for a death, and spreading awareness of policy changes.

I will look back at this chapter often in order to know what approach to take when I am writing a professional letter. This will be comforting when I start working in a more professional organization. I will be better recognized as a responsible and diligent person if the way I communicate is educated and efficient.

A phrase, "...remember to appeal to both logic and emotion," (page 70) stood out to me. This is an important concept to remember in writing business or in any other reason for communication. As people we look at issues both with our minds and with our hearts. Some people weigh more on one or the other, so to be safe we should appeal to both as we communicate.

Reading Reflection: Chapter 5

This chapter was helpful because it takes what we have learned previously (HATS, CLOUD, etc.) and applies it to evaluating papers. This helps me see what order to use these assessments in. This way I can evaluate my papers in an organized way.

Sometimes, I feel that in order to be a good writer, I have to write a perfect paper the first draft. I like how Baker explains at the beginning that at least two drafts are needed in order to adequately express your answer to a prompt.

This was helpful for my job as a teachers assistant because I can grade papers more efficiently. I know how to evaluate the specifics of a paper--of how things are organized, content, etc. Instead of starting with the beginning reading sentence by sentence, I'll start by looking at the design. Then I will skim to see if the organization flows. Then I will go into what I do normally and look at each sentence to see if each is written and employed in the most effective way possible.

Reading Reflection: Chapter 4

This chapter talked about techniques I was already aware of. I did like how it was sectioned into the four categories: headings, art, typography, and spacing. As a teacher's assistant, headings have become invaluable to me as I try to organize students' papers. Baker's comments in Writing & Speaking for Business reiterates how headings and subheadings should be used to organize thoughts.

I heard about the rule of three's a few weeks ago but didn't know what it was--probably because I am way behind on technology-speak. The text book explained it in a way that I could understand and use it. Instagram just got better.

Lastly, I learned the difference between serif and sans serif fonts. Serif fonts are slightly fancier so that each letter can be distinguished. Sans Serif are more plain and are useful for headings. This knowledge will be useful in my writing so that it will be more presentable.

Reading Reflection: Chapter 3

I enjoyed learning about the OABC (Opening, Agenda, Body, and Closing) method because I learned how to make each section of a memorandum or paper more effective. This is brought about through a catchy opening, a concise agenda, an informative body, and a simple closing. Each of these sections play an important role; this chapter explains what those roles are and how one can write so that each section functions properly.

Often times, I will write a paper and feel that I did reasonably well, but will still be unsure if my writing was proper. Learning about CLOUD (Coherence, Length, Organization, Unity, Development) gives me confidence that for my next paper, I have a way to evaluate my paper. This way, I can see what changes need to be made to make my paper more professional, organized, and content-rich.

Lastly, as a teacher's assistant, I grade a plethora of papers. The methods introduced in chapter 3 will help me see how well papers are written. I can better evaluate the flow of content, organization, and clarity. Not only that, but I will be able to articulate to my students what they can improve on.

Reading Reflection: Chapter 2

I don't particularly enjoy writing because I can't seem to organize my thoughts they way I want to. In high school, we were drilled in writing traditional outlines, but these often seemed like a waste of time. We may have been taught how to do mind maps, but they obviously didn't stick in my mind because I would be using them all the time! As I use this method, I believe I will enjoy writing more instead of wondering what to write for hours and hours. Then, maybe, I would find writing an enjoyable creative outlet--even for a school paper. This will help me with my future aspirations because I won't deplore my job whenever I have to write something.

This chapter also had aspects that aren't just applicable to writing but to communication in everyday life. Whenever you are communicating with someone, think about what information they need from you and how you want it to be conveyed. I will consider more how I can increase others' trust in me and remember to be pleasant and "never send a message [I] have written in anger" (17). I need to remember that my mood is reflected in my writing and will be felt by TA's and teachers, friends and family, and bosses and co-workers. 

Personal Biography

McCall Simmons is a life, travel, animal, music, adventure lover from the mountains of Utah. She aspires to be a world traveller and prefers to volunteer abroad for the rest of her life rather than get paid doing something less hands-on. Alas, she is a mere student at Brigham Young University studying Recreation Management with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation. Fortunately with this career choice she can serve others, experience new things, and eventually be a wife and mother--and it may take her overseas one day!

She grew up the third of four children. Melissa and Ashley are the older sisters and Spencer is the younger brother. Her parents, Steve and Becky, are hard-working but laid-back and always emphasize high values. McCall started Preschool at 3-years-old and obtained her high school diploma at 17. Steve's and Becky's values taught McCall to work for A's with integrity and to be well-rounded with various activities. She expanded her mind in various AP classes. She participated in musical and theater groups to cultivate talents and to make friends. She worked at a music store and taught voice and piano lessons until she graduated.

After graduation, McCall went to BYU and discovered therapeutic recreation after her brother had been diagnosed with Asperger's. She realized this was the course for her and declared her major. Before she got started, she felt a need to teach English in China for a semester. Here she learned that she wanted to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A month after her return from China, she received a call to serve in the South Carolina Columbia Mission. She has been home for a month and is missing her country folk. On the other hand, she is thrilled to be learning about therapeutic recreation, being with friends, and wearing pants on a daily basis again. She believes that this day was better than the last and tomorrow will be better than today, so she is happy with her life always.