User talk:Annie Dean

discussion Technical writing

Exercise 1
John Schmidt Known:
 * Wikiversity custodian
 * Exploring wiki as a tool for online learning
 * Has blog for discussing wiki issues and software improvements
 * Self-proclaimed science geek with particular interest in biology
 * Believes in biological origins of humanity

Not known:
 * Job/source of income
 * Location/nationality
 * Age
 * Sexual orientation/marital status/family

Feedback
The Not Known stuff...just make it up and be reasonable. TWFred 03:51, 17 September 2008 (UTC)

Exercise 2
How to make instant coffee for Wing Lee

Prepare tools and ingredients:


 * Kettle to boil water
 * A cup or mug
 * A teaspoon
 * Instant coffee
 * Sugar and/or milk if desired

Instructions:
 * 1) Boil at least one cup of water
 * 2) Once kettle is switched on, place one teaspoon of instant coffee powder in the cup (and, if desired, sugar to taste)
 * 3) Once the water has boiled, pour the water into the cup
 * 4) Add milk and sugar if desired
 * 5) Stir and serve.

Feedback
Use active voice and 2nd person pronoun.

Pour boiling water into your cup.

Exercise 3
Create a detailed persona of a "typical" Wiki user, including age, family background, education, and experience with computers. Wiki User: Amelie Ocean Age: 38 Family background: Married, no children; emigrant from France to Sydney, Australia Education: Postgraduate certification Experience with computers: Uses Microsoft programs daily at work.

Describe how they are using Wiki to achieve life goals. Amelie wishes to tailor her skills for a career in technical writing; to specialise and become an expert in her field. This will enable a focused direction.

Feedback
Too many "marketing" words. Be more specific.

She wants to learn about technical writing so she can earn more money. Therefore, she doesn't want to waste time on generalities. She wants specific exercises. TWFred 03:51, 17 September 2008 (UTC)

Describe what tasks they will complete with Wiki. Amelie will complete the Technical Writing exercises and then no doubt explore other areas of interest at Wikiversity.

What terms, specific to Wiki, are new to them. Colloquium, IRC, bots, sandbox server. Amelie doesn't know these terms, though they are not specific to Wiki.

Feedback
As an exercise, go to the wiki help and improve the definitions of these terms. (You're a natural, keep up the good work) TWFred 03:51, 17 September 2008 (UTC)

Exercise 4
Describe Wikepedia to your persona

Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia. It is an extensive source of information, including definitions of most terms and concepts, with a wide range of links to related information on the internet and elsewhere.

Feedback
After the clear first sentence, you use generalities..."extensive" "most" "wide range" "related" "elsewhere".

Re-write with no generalities. Then send me a note. You're doing great...TWFred 03:51, 17 September 2008 (UTC)