The Consequence of Communication Failure Essay Example for Free

The Consequence of Communication Failure Essay In the history and evolution of professional communication practices, there are several instances that have greatly impacted our understanding of the necessity for clear and effective technical communication. Few, however, have had such eye-opening impact that they continue to be discussed decades after their occurrence. Two such incidents to have reached this height are concerning the Three Mile Island nuclear plant and the Challenger shuttle launch. (Martha Cooper. Three Mile Island. 1979. The Washington Post. Web. 3 July 2012) (Martha Cooper. Three Mile Island. 1979. The Washington Post. Web. 13 July 2012) In March of 1979, the Three Mile Island (TMI) nuclear power plant of Middleton, PA faced near meltdown. People feared an unseen enemy: radiation. B. M. Dunn had some vital information to the possibility of this incident prior to its occurring. Dunn relayed this information to D. F. Hallman. Hallman’s memo and the involvement of those who did or did not receive it have been under a microscope since this historical event. On January 28, 1986, another incident of failed communication occurred. The Challenger space shuttle was set to launch and indeed it did, but it did not make it to the intended destination as it exploded in mid-air. Prior to the launch, Roger Boisjoly had made efforts to address an issue of a possible equipment malfunction that had been pointed out by. Unfortunately, nothing was done to ensure the avoidance of this malfunction. In both instances, catastrophe could have been prevented. There were attempts made to address serious concern on both parts. There remains no question that something more could have been done. However, a question of great weight and of ongoing discussion is whether that missing link lies in the communication processes, the documents themselves, or the actions of those involved in the chain of communication. A Matter of Nuclear Proportion In a relatively short memo written by D. F. Hallman, manager of Plant Performance Services at TMI, he relays the concerns of B. M. Dunn. A problem with the practices and procedures of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant is addressed. Dunn is the manager of the Emergency Core Cooling System Analysis department of Babcock Wilcox (BW), the same company that designed the nuclear reactor for the Three Mile Island power plant. (Mathes) Short, Sweet, and to the Point? Quite frankly, this memo leaves much to be desired, given the weight of the situation. In its entirety, it is a few brief paragraphs addressing the situation and a few questions that need to be answered promptly. It is somewhat formal yet lacks the urgency in tone necessary to move the reader to action. There are, however, some references attached that provide the information in more detail. These attachments aside, Hallman seems to have minimal concern for the efficiency of the actions required. (Hallman) Upon some background research, it is clearly seen that Hallman was not the proper person for Dunn to contact with such vital information. For a decision such as this one, the concerns should have been sent to another department, one with the authority, ability and experiential knowledge to understand the gravity of the situation. Can one blame Hallman for not knowing? Could it be that he was aware of the proper destination of such information and failed to relay it there? Some questions are left unanswered. A Matter of Astronomical Consequence (Associated Press. Space Shuttle Challenger Wreckage Entombment; About. com; Web. 13 July 2012) (Associated Press. Space Shuttle Challenger Wreckage Entombment; About. com; Web. 13 July 2012) Roger Boisjoly wrote a memo addressing his concern with the possibility of O-rings that were vital in the safe launch of the Challenger space shuttle. Boisjoly was an engineer for Morton Thiokol, the manufacturer of those very O-rings. His memo was well written, with a clear layout and was directed to the proper recipient for effective action in such circumstances. The subject matter is clearly stated in the heading. After proper notation of the parties involved, Boisjoly writes with clarity of intent and the necessary tone to relay the seriousness of such a scenario. Textbook Effective In this memo, he does well to stress the fact that he believed this O-ring corrosion may lead to a â€Å"catastrophe of the highest order loss of human life. How else could one covey such urgency? Boisjoly admits an â€Å"honest and very real fear† that if immediate action was not taken to solve the problem with these O-rings, this entire shuttle mission stands in â€Å"jeopardy of losing a flight along with all the launch pad facilities. † The choice of words seems very intentional and appropriately weighty given the possible outcome. (Boisjoly) So what was done with this information? Apparently, it was merely dismissed as being non-crucial to flight success. The morning of the shuttle launch was particularly cold and this played a major factor in the performance or failure of these O-rings but this too was addressed by Boisjoly. Could he have done more to ensure that necessary action was taken to address the situation? Concluding Thoughts It seems very clear that from these two examples of communication one stands as lackadaisical or complacent and the other effectively and appropriately written. It may very well be that Hallman was not the appropriate recipient for the previous memos. It may also be said that Dunn was responsible for insuring the proper destination of this information. Whatever the case, this memo written by Hallman was ineffective both in composition and in handling. In contrast, Boisjoly wrote clearly and effectively. Why is it that the proper actions were still not taken? The bottom of this question may not ever be reached but it is a clear example of the need for serious handling of information—for both the writer and the reader. Without these two factors, we may have yet to see the worst examples of failed communication.

Big Corporations, Big Lawsuits Essay Example for Free

Big Corporations, Big Lawsuits Essay Introduction The lawsuit over the defective design of Firestone tires put on Ford Explorers was perhaps the most publicised event when a company was sued for defective produce. This defect also resulted in a large number of accidents causing over 200 deaths and 700 injuries in the US alone, in addition to accidents in Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, the Arab Gulf Coast, and East Asia. The massive tire recall by Ford and Firestone on August 9, 2000, sent ripples through the American public and added fuel to the legal fire, causing both manufacturers and the public to rethink many issues. Summary of the Lawsuit On August 9, 2000, â€Å"Ford Motor Company and Bridgestone/Firestone jointly announced a recall in the United States of approximately 6.5 million ATX, ATXII and Wilderness AT tires made in Decatur, Illinois because of tread separation problems† (Eto, 2006). This recall came after the increased incidence of driver deaths in accidents in which Ford Exlorers rolled over triggered widespread public concern. At the time, the company was already faced with multimillion lawsuits. For instance, the lawyers for Edelio and Norma Herrera who died in May 2000 overturning in their Ford Explorer on the way from Disneyland demanded $1 billion from Firestone (BBC). The lawsuits filed, for instance, by the law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann Bernstein, LLP, were based on the claim that Firestone and Ford were guilty because it had failed to address the concerns in the testing process. Thus, on June 15, 1989, the auto maker’s engineers prepared a report to the company management in which they â€Å"recommended eight design changes to address the rollover problem and improve the safety of the Explorer† (Lieff Cabraser Heimann Bernstein, LLP, 2006). However, the management refused to make the major improvements recommended by engineers, willing to complete the design by the previously announced deadline. Impact on the Corporate World The lawsuit triggered a nation-wide discussion about the liability of auto manufacturers, business ethics, the need to produce quality products, and the regulation of the industry. The fact that Ford’s management had accelerated production at the expense of safety concerns only to face billions of dollars in lawsuits and a major blow to their reputation later on was a lesson to many managers. The way Firestone and Ford were heaping blame on each other was also an important lesson of how companies should not handle a scandal. To demonstrate commitment to improvement, Ford, for instance, â€Å"ended its relationship with the tyre-maker† (BBC, 2001). The scandal affected one of the largest US auto manufacturers, causing the resignation of its Chief Executive Officers, Jacques Nasser. Impact on Regulations The lawsuits have also alerted the American public and regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that new, tougher laws on safety standards have to be adopted. In 2000, US Congress adopted new legislature that aimed to raise safety standards. However, it was clear that such laws should have been adopted long ago when the danger of rollover crashes in SUVs became apparent. The law required tire makers to submit to the regulators far more information about their produce than before. Impact on the Companies The lawsuits that have been partially successful and partially settled out of court cost both companies, especially Firestone a lot. Thus, the tyre manufacturer found itself spending over â€Å"$1.6 billion in 2001 due to the recall and litigation costs† (Online Lawyer Source, 2004). The company spent $149 million to settle 30 class-action suits all over the US. In 2001, Ford warned its shareholders that â€Å"it could face up to $10bn in lawsuits arising from the Ford Explorer deaths† (BBC, 2001). The result was disastrous publicity for both companies. Firestone in particular took a long time to recover. As of 2004, it was spending several times more on recovering publicity than in the year before (Online Lawyer Source, 2004). Conclusion Thus, the scandal resulted in massive financial losses for the two companies involved and blows to their corporate images. It also made the public pay closer attention to manufacturers’ ethical decision-making. On the government level, safety standards had been strengthened resulting in increased requirements for manufacturers. References Eto, G.C. (2006). Firestone Tire Recall. Retrieved April, 1, 2006, from http://www.garyeto.com/firestone-tire-recall.shtml BBC. (2001, June 17). Firestone faces $1bn lawsuit. Retrieved April, 1, 2006, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1393055.stm Lieff Cabraser Heimann Bernstein, LLP. (2006). Ford Explorer Rollover Danger 2006 Update. Retrieved April, 1, 2006, from http://www.vehicle-injuries.com/ford-explorer-lawsuits.htm Online Lawyer Source. (2004). Firestone Recall Information. Retrieved April, 1, 2006, from http://www.onlinelawyersource.com/firestone/information.html

Why I Chose to Study Engineering

Why I Chose to Study Engineering The significant contribution of engineers to the local and global communities is what has inspired me to study engineering. There are many disciplines of engineering though I have chosen to study architectural engineering. In this essay, I will reflect on my choice of study and explore the skills and contributions of architectural engineering. I will discuss what factors have inspired and motivated my choice of study, the roles of an architectural engineer, the attributes required to be a successful engineer, how they serve society and the obstacles that will be faced in the industry. I did not choose architectural engineering at random, there are some aspects that inspired and motivated my choice. I have always known I wanted to pursue a career in engineering, as I enjoy mathematics and physics, but I was unsure of which field. My personal interests have had a large impact on my choice of study. I love to design and create, take on new challenges, solve problems and give back to my community. Originally, I intended to study mining engineering and participated in a week of work experience at a mine. After that week, I believed that it was not for me. I had heard of architectural engineering and thought I would check it out. I researched everything I could about it and knew that it was the field I wanted to do. Architectural engineers give so much to the community through the structures they assist in designing. I hope to be able to help create systems that will assist our society. There were times when I was doubtful as engineering is a male-dominate field and the only course available is in Melbourne. However, my parents have pushed me to pursue my dream. They are my motivation, I do not want to let them down. I aspire to make them proud. Architectural engineers apply engineering principles and technology to the design, construction and planning of buildings. They are responsible for taking a design from an architect and developing the details of the buildings structural and environmental systems. The systems of a building include: structural integrity, heating/air conditioning systems, ventilating systems, plumbing, fire protection and electrical systems [1]. As shown in [2] architectural engineering incorporates elements of several other engineering disciplines including mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and others. Some architectural engineers may focus on specific areas, such as a structures capability to endure the stress of natural disasters. While others may concentrate on improving air quality, energy efficiency and minimising environmental impact. They work in teams with architects and engineers who a specialist in other fields [1]. As to be able to design and construct a stable and safe building, they need to be able to communicate, work together and solve problems. The attributes of a successful engineering can be listed in to three categories set by Engineers Australia. These three categories are: knowledge and skill base; engineering application ability; and professional and personal attributes [3]. The first two categories are based on having an understanding and application of engineering, mathematics and physics. The last category includes many of the key attributes required to be a successful architectural engineer. The ability to communicate with others and work in a team environment are two of the main key attributes. An engineer needs to be able to communicate well, both orally and in writing, to not just other engineers but also other specialist. In the industry, there will be times when engineers must work with others that may not have the same level of knowledge, so they must convey technical ideas in non-technical language understood by the audience [3]. Architectural engineers need to be creative, inquisitive, analytical and detai l-oriented [1]. This will enhance their problem-solving skills and lead to further ideas and developments that will serve society. Architectural engineering has a large impact on the systems that support societys standard of living [4]. Engineers are continuously aiming to improve and develop concepts that will greatly benefit society through the use of science and technology. Architectural engineers create building systems based on what is requested from society [4]. They have developed buildings that can withstand the stress of a natural disaster. They strive to create safe and convenient places for people to work and live. The designs developed by architectural engineers do not just benefit society with the final structure but also during the planning and construction phases. The different stages of a project require people from different professions, initiating many job opportunities for people within the communities. When architectural engineers have a project, they aim to create a safe and functional building suited for the consumers but this doesnt come without many obstacles. In the work force, there will be obstacles and challenges. There are many factors that could impact a project including: environmental impact, budgeting, resources and work environment. There are major concerns from society about the environmental impact of projects, thus engineers are trying to minimise our impact [5]. Budgets are a foremost factor in the creation and construction of a building as it is what gives architectural engineers a guideline, though sometimes it is considered a constraint. The budget allowed also impacts the availability of resources and materials. Architectural engineers can only create a building with what is available as it is unprofessional to start a project and realise that there is a limited amount of the building materials. The final factor, workplace environment as seen in [6] is the most critical factor in maintaining the productivity rate and satisfaction levels of a workplace and employees. The main aspect that has inspired me to study architectural engineering is the large contribution it has on improving and developing societys standard of living. In this essay, I have reflected, discussed and explored the aspects that have inspired and motivated my choice of study, the responsibilities and role of an architectural engineer, the attributes required to become an accredited engineer, the impact that they have on society and the challenges that will be faced in the workplace. References [1] Architectural Engineering Overview, Sloan Career Cornerstone Center. Accessed on: Mar. 10, 2017. [Online]. Available: http://www.careercornerstone.org/pdf/archeng/archeng.pdf [2]C. Ozansoy, Class Lecture, Topic: Chapter 1 What is Engineering? NEF1103, College of Engineering and Science, Victoria University, Melbourne, Vic., Feb., 27, 2017. [3] D. Dowling, R. Hadgraft, A. Carew, T. McCarthy, D. Hargreaves and C. Ballie, What is Engineering? in Engineering Your Future: An Australasian Guide, 3rd ed. Milton: John Wiley Sons, 2016, ch.1, pp. 24-27. [4] University of Michigan (2013, Aug. 2). 2013 James R. Mellor Lecture William Banholzer [Video file]. Accessed on: Mar. 19, 2017. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XY4mMZNGl4 [5]D. Dowling, R. Hadgraft, A. Carew, T. McCarthy, D. Hargreaves and C. Ballie, Sustainable Engineering, in Engineering Your Future: An Australasian Guide, 3rd ed. Milton: John Wiley Sons, 2016, ch.3, p. 119. [6]E. Ajala, The Influence of Workplace Environment on Workers Welfare, Performance and Productivity, The African Symposium: An online journal of the African Educational Research Network, vol. 12, no. 1, p. 141, 2012.

Comparison of the Chartres towers :: essays papers

Comparison of the Chartres towers The cathedral of Notre-Dame at Chartres must be one of the most beautiful and famous architectural specimens in the world today. The cathedral owns an exquisite silhouette against the sky of La Beauce. Two towers rise uncontested, to take watch over miles and miles of French countryside. Up close, the two towers, along with their spires, seem mismatched or unrelated. Yet, the two together provide for one of the most interesting juxtapositions in architecture. â‚ ¬Chartres cathedral has had a tumultuous history with both tragedies and triumphs. Charpentier notes that the site of the cathedral has also served various other purposes. The Romans had used the higher ground for a military camp, part of which still exists on the eastern side of the cathedral by the transition of apse to choir. In addition to the camp site, there was also the existance of a Gallo-Roman temple on the same site as Chartres cathedral. This temple is believed to have the same orientation as the cathedral and the cathedral's round apse uses the foundation of a Gallo-Roman defensive tower. This use of the Gallo-Roman defensive tower is also present at Bourges cathedral. The lower parts of the defensive tower formed a crypt which was incorporated into the ninth century Church of Gislebert, also known as Saint Lubin's chapel. On the night of September seventh 1020, the Church was completely razed by fire. â‚ ¬After the destruction of the church in Chartres, the bishop of Chartres, Saint Fulbert, spearheaded the campaign to build a church in Chartres. Only the crypt remained from the earlier Caroligian church and Fulbert built his Romanesque church around the enduring crypt. Fulbert's church lasted 200 years, but in 1134 the front faÅ“ade was damaged by another fire. It was at this time that a effort to update and restore the church was put into motion. The religious powers, along with the Crusaders longed for a greater monument. Thus, Chartres decided to beg in a separate tower.â‚ ¬This adding on to Romanesque churches was not unusual for the day. The abbey-church at Cluny, outside Italy, was given a new magnificent five-bay narthex and two bell-towers. A similar renovation was attempted at La CharitÅ’, but funds ran short and the upgrades could not be completed. â‚ ¬Hence, in 1134 the tower forming the north-west corner of the present-day cathedral, (the left tower of the west faÅ“ade elevation), underwent construction.

Freedom comes from within yourself :: essays research papers

Freedom in the Hindu Culture   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Over the past three years in America we have been bombarded with the word freedom as a call to action or a word to persuade us to follow a specific view. Although our society was born on freedom as an idea, its meaning has been used in many ways. Hinduism is also a religion and a culture that places a lot of meaning on freedom but they give a different meaning to it. From learning about Hindu culture in this class their focus on it follows suit as does our version. While our â€Å"freedom† is an idea that can be used in many different ways the Hindu â€Å"Freedom† is a more pure idea as it seems the rest of the culture is. In the Eastern culture freedom comes along with a level or state that you have reached in your life. To understand the meaning of freedom you also have to understand its relation to words like Samsara, Avidya, Maya and Moksha. These are all part of the journey towards the Hindu concept of freedom. Samsara is important in defining freedom in Hindu terms because it is what you want freedom from. Samsara is the continuous cycle of life that takes place in the material world. It is thought of as a negative because it keeps us from moving on and up spiritually. Maya is a concept in Hinduism that relates to man disillusioning himself. The idea is that there is no such thing as an individual existence. When a person is trying to better their standing or wealth they are disillusioning themselves. In the Eastern culture you do not work harder to better yourself you work harder to better the world as a whole through your actions in life. This brings you closer to unity with the â€Å"Divine.† Avidya is similar to Maya. It is when the man is disillusioning himself that Avidya describes. When he denies his true â€Å"Self â€Å" and moves farther away from knowledge he is not taking care of his soul. Avidya is a product of the soul as well as a part of the soul. A person can always move away from this and make his soul healthy again by seeking truth and trying to reach the higher levels of spirituality. In the final stage of life we see Moksha come into play. After freeing yourself from material ties in the third stage of life you move on to the fourth and last. Freedom comes from within yourself :: essays research papers Freedom in the Hindu Culture   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Over the past three years in America we have been bombarded with the word freedom as a call to action or a word to persuade us to follow a specific view. Although our society was born on freedom as an idea, its meaning has been used in many ways. Hinduism is also a religion and a culture that places a lot of meaning on freedom but they give a different meaning to it. From learning about Hindu culture in this class their focus on it follows suit as does our version. While our â€Å"freedom† is an idea that can be used in many different ways the Hindu â€Å"Freedom† is a more pure idea as it seems the rest of the culture is. In the Eastern culture freedom comes along with a level or state that you have reached in your life. To understand the meaning of freedom you also have to understand its relation to words like Samsara, Avidya, Maya and Moksha. These are all part of the journey towards the Hindu concept of freedom. Samsara is important in defining freedom in Hindu terms because it is what you want freedom from. Samsara is the continuous cycle of life that takes place in the material world. It is thought of as a negative because it keeps us from moving on and up spiritually. Maya is a concept in Hinduism that relates to man disillusioning himself. The idea is that there is no such thing as an individual existence. When a person is trying to better their standing or wealth they are disillusioning themselves. In the Eastern culture you do not work harder to better yourself you work harder to better the world as a whole through your actions in life. This brings you closer to unity with the â€Å"Divine.† Avidya is similar to Maya. It is when the man is disillusioning himself that Avidya describes. When he denies his true â€Å"Self â€Å" and moves farther away from knowledge he is not taking care of his soul. Avidya is a product of the soul as well as a part of the soul. A person can always move away from this and make his soul healthy again by seeking truth and trying to reach the higher levels of spirituality. In the final stage of life we see Moksha come into play. After freeing yourself from material ties in the third stage of life you move on to the fourth and last.

Cloning :: essays research papers fc

This article, â€Å"Cloning Noah’s Ark,† is about the cloning of endangered species to prevent some animals from disappearing from the planet.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The three authors of this article were Robert P. Lanza, Betsy L. Dresser and Philip Damiani. According to Scientific American, they all share an interest in reproductive biology and animals. Lanza, the vice president of medical and scientific development at Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) in Worcester, Massachusetts, founded the South Meadow Pond and Wildlife Association in Worcester County. Dresser is senior vice president for research at the Audubon Institute and director of the Audubon Institute Center for Research of Endangered Species and the Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center. Damiani, a research scientist at ACT, is also a member of the International Embryo Transfer Society’s committee on cryopreservation. II. Explain the major concepts and points made.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Research done, results, his/her conclusions III. Your Summation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  From this article, I learned a number of different things. I learned how the actual cloning process occurs. I also became aware of many different Endangered Species and other animals that have already become extinct. I also learned that a clone could have been born from an animal other than their own species. For example, a regular house cat gave birth to a cloned tiger. I learned that cloning is very difficult and a long process.....   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I feel that the cloning of Endangered Species could be a excellent idea. Human beings have carelessly killed off many innocent living creatures on this planet by hunting them and by creating pollution that end their lives. If the we could prevent the extinction of healthy, harmless animals, we should do it. Cloning is a way to prevent the extinction

Critical Literacy Autobiography Essay

For a girl like me, reading and writing has never come easy. I understand how to read and write I just don’t have a big vocabulary or a desire to open up a book and read. Not putting blame on any one individual, I just feel as if all throughout my education I haven’t been taught how to write well. Maybe writing is something you can’t be taught how to do but I have some friends who are amazing writers and plan to continue their education in journalism. They all have had the same teachers I have had and all have been taught the same curriculum but somehow I fall short as a writer. I don’t believe writing is something you can be literate about I feel you either have a desire to write or you don’t. I have learned to read and write minimal and in the next decade I feel students will be taught less and less on how to read and write. Eventually the way of learning will be vocal and all you will have to know is how to listen and speak. Most commonly, when I have to write it’s not out of finding fun in writing it is more because of an assignment like this where the only end result is a grade and I feel as if more students feel the same way because there is so much technology that you don’t have to be as creative as in the past. My favorite reading is dramas. Things that I can relate to in my everyday life, I love those books that you just can’t put down no matter how hard you try, therefore, I hate those books that you are dragging yourself along in just for the end grade. I find writing fun if I am writing about a topic that I can relate closely too. Although, I do find that writing for fun still doesn’t come easy and I still spend hours trying to figure out how I want to put the words on a piece of paper. In the story from Malcolm X, he is full of knowledge; he repeatedly states different historical events with their dates. He has knowledge that he can elaborate on where I do not. He also refers to Muhammad a lot during his writing and that is someone that is a â€Å"teacher† to him. He has learned many things from Muhammad which made him the man he was. He has built a reputation through his teaching of history which gives him credentials. He taught me that you can learn to read and write over time but it’s not something that you have to be born with when he stated â€Å"I suppose it was inevitable that as my word-base broadened, I could for the first time pick up a book and read and now begin to understand what the book was saying. † (X) This shows that Malcolm X learned how to read and write while in prison. It shouldn’t be that hard for me to learn to write but somehow I just can’t grasp the concept of becoming a good writer. Anne Lamott has said it all for me in her essay â€Å"Shitty First Drafts†. She mentions that â€Å"Very few writers really know what they’re doing until they’ve done it. † (Lamott) This goes to show that I am not the only person that sucks at writing and after people review and help revise and edit my paper then I slowly start to get on the right path and organize all of my thoughts to go into one direction. Lamott also exclaims â€Å"Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. † (Lamott) This gives me hope that my essays in college may turn out exceptional. I understand that other people have the same problem I do and although they went through elementary, middle school and high school they too cannot produce a wonderful first draft. One day I hope to become a person that gets an idea and can take out a sheet of paper and write down everything on my mind without having to stop and think if I could reword something to sound better. Writing should be like watching television something that relaxes you and lets you vent out all of your stress and problems. I know a lot of people who use journals or diaries to vent out onto and as they are writing away they don’t stop to rephrase something or let their grammar get in the way and that is how a first draft should be. As for me I worry all the way through about if it makes sense, if I am repeating myself, or even if I am writing what is asked of me. People who are authors writer because their love for writing and I know authors that are terrible at getting their point across or take the whole book before spilling the gossip but people still read their books and still get intrigued by their writing. I hope throughout the next eight years of college I will become more literate as a reader, writer, and speaker. I will have a larger vocabulary and use it in a unique way. I understand that I won’t have an English class for the next eight years but I will continue to perfect my writing into something people enjoy reading about. I will make every effort to perfect my writing in this class and the rest of my future. As a student reading and writing skills are vital to success so this class and others shall help me perk mine in the right direction. Works Cited Lamott, Anne. â€Å"Shitty First Drafts. † Wardle, Elizabeth and Doug Downs. Writing About Writing. 1994. 301-304. X, Malcolm. â€Å"Learning to Read. † Wardle, Elizabeth and Doug Downs. Writing About Writing. 1965. 354-357.