Brushing your teeth, a Technical Writer's view

Calling all technical writers.

Do you find yourself telling people what to do and how to do it? If you answered yes, keep reading. If you answered no, you will one day so I suggest you keep reading as well.

Technical writers turn the task of explaining a process and the necessary steps to complete the process into a profession. In my Technical writing class, I had the opportunity to experience technical writing. Take a look at my process/mechanism assignment I created describing how to brush your teeth.  

Noelle

How to Brush your Teeth

Introduction

“Teeth are hard, bonelike structures in the upper and lower jaws of human beings and many kinds of animals. They are the hardest parts of the body.” (Wortel, 2011) The human body produces two sets of teeth. The first set consists of 20 baby teeth that fall out in the late toddler years and 32 permanent teeth that form when the baby teeth come out. These teeth stick with you for the rest of your life.

Permanent teeth have the important task of aiding in the process of digestion by breaking down food to make it easy to swallow. In order to keep a healthy smile you must take care of your teeth. One way of taking care of your teeth is by brushing them. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends, “Brushing your teeth twice a day with ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste and replacing your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if the bristles are frayed” (American Dental Association, 2011).

To brush your teeth you will need a toothbrush, toothpaste, a sink, a cup, and some floss. The process of brushing your teeth includes (1) preparing your toothbrush, (2) brushing your teeth, (3) cleaning your tongue, (4) flossing, and (5) rinsing with water.

The Process

Preparing your toothbrush.   Squirt a pea size amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush. Quickly run your toothbrush under the faucet water to get your brush a little wet.

Brushing your teeth.   Angle your toothbrush towards your gums. Gently brush the inside of your teeth in small circular motions. Brush the teeth near the tongue, the side you use to chew and the outside or front of your teeth. Brush both upper and bottom teeth.

cleaning your tongue.   Use the toothbrush to scrub your tongue starting from the middle of your tongue and moving to the tip of your tongue and spit.

flossing.   Pick up your floss and hold each end in either hand. Take each end of the floss and alternate pulling each end in between your teeth. Floss between each tooth.

rinsing with water.   Fill your cup with a small amount of water. Take a little water into your mouth. Move the water around in your mouth and spit it out. 

Conclusion

In order to keep your teeth clean and healthy, you must brush your teeth. Brush your teeth twice a day. Brush when you wake up and before you go to sleep. Remember to always BTTFR- Brush your teeth, tongue, Floss and Rinse. Most of all remember to see your dentist at least once a year. With these tips, you should be able to maintain a beautiful clean and healthy smile.  

                    

References

American Dental Association. (2011). Retrieved April 10, 2011, from American Dental Association Web site: http://www.ada.org/5624.aspx?currentTab=1

Wortel, J. P. (2011). "Teeth.". Retrieved April 10, 2011, from World Book Advanced: http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar549500&st=brushing+teeth&sc=0#cite

Conflict resolution in the workplace

Hello, my soon-to-be conflict resolution enthusiasts,

Today’s thought of the day is conflict in the workplace. I am sure we have encountered or witnessed a situation where an angry employee disrupts the natural flow of the workplace. Maybe we are guilty of being the angry employee. No matter which side of the fence you are on, conflict is sure to show its ugly head. I am here to tell you, you have options and alternatives to dealing with these situations.

Conflict is a part of everyday life. The best way to approach conflict is by dealing with it. If I was a manager of an organization receiving complaints about a disgruntle employee, I would take certain steps to deal with the situation. In a similar scenario, the employee’s attitude has probably escalated to the point of creating an overall hostile environment in the workplace. Hostility causes a stressful environment for everyone.  A manager must respond immediately to avoid having things escalate to the point of someone getting hurt. Here is my response to this situation:

My first response is to incorporate the S-TLC System, Stop, Think, Listen, and Communicate. This is the best way to make effective decisions. I would “Stop” to take a moment to clear my mind. Then “Think” of how I would want to approach the situation and what I would want to say to the employee. Accomplishing these first two steps is important before meeting with the employee.

My next course of action is to meet with the employee. A meeting provides a good opportunity to lay everything out on the table. This would be a good time to incorporate the third step, “Listen.” A manager should always take the time to hear the employee’s point-of-view. Listening shows neutral concern, respect for the employee, demands respect from the employee, and defuses the situation.

After the employee has finished speaking and I have practiced my effective listening skills, I would incorporate my last step to the S-TLC System, “Communicate.” This would be the best time to share my thoughts on the situation. I would use I-statements to keep the employee calm and avoid adding tension to the situation. I would respond to the employee by saying, “I make sure I am available to all employees to share their thoughts, ideas, and feelings. I take special interest in making sure veteran employees like you; continue to have success with this company by leading by example. Most of all, I have to make sure all of our employees can work together as a team. Recently, I have noticed a change in our team environment. It is hard to thrive as a team if we cannot communicate with one another. I understand your frustrations.  Maybe there is a way we can work together to make our work environment comfortable for everyone. Teamwork is the best way to keep this organization moving. If an employee cannot perform to the best of his or her ability or unable to work in a team environment, then there is no reason for continued employment with this organization.”

This is a simple example of how the meeting would flow. After my statement, I would give the employee an opportunity to comment and offer ideas on a way to solve the problem. The authors of Managing Conflict through Communication suggests, “Communication is not a one-way street: Just because you act competently doesn’t mean you will resolve your conflict well. It takes two people to make the conflict and two people to manage or resolve it (Abigail & Cahn, 2011, p. 69).

       

I hope you have learned something new about managing conflict in the workplace. Feel free to incorporate the S-TLC System and I-statements in and out of the workplace. Dealing with conflict takes practice, but dealing with it is always better than avoiding it. Remember conflict is everywhere waiting for an opportunity to explode. Do not let conflict get the best of you; get the best of it.

Happy Resolutions,

Noelle

References

Abigail, R. A., & Cahn, D. D. (2011). Managing Conflict Through Communication. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Intercultural Communication

Hey Everyone, 

Lets talk about intercultural communication. Read this article on the Ten Commandments of Intercultural Communication and let me know what you think. In the mean time, here are my thoughts after reading the article:

 “What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions, and repulsion. Life is plurality; death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and peculiarities, by eliminating different civilizations and cultures, progress weakens life and favors death. The ideal of a single civilization for everyone, implicit in the cult of progress and technique, impoverishes and mutilates us. Every view of the world that becomes extinct, every culture that disappears, diminishes a possibility of life”

- Octavio Paz

In my opinion, this quote represents the importance of diversity and the richness of culture in the world. A world without difference is a world of robots. This week’s article exists because of our differences. Every difference and every individual makes the world interesting. It is our duty to learn and understand these differences as well as the similarities.

Understanding, consciousness, and awareness of cultural differences are the common themes for these guidelines. I would personally apply these guidelines when I meet someone for the first time. The guidelines remind me to be conscious of the various forms of respect in different cultures. Shaking hands is a great example. Shaking hands may be disrespectful in certain cultures because you are touching the person. Speaking before spoken to may also be a sign of disrespect. 

No matter how you look at it, meeting new people and engaging in conversation increases the chances of offending the other person. These guidelines remind me of the enormous size of this world and the variety of people occupying it. The best way we can adapt to the size and variety of the world is by taking the time to learn and understand each person’s individual uniqueness. Living in a bubble is not justification for not knowing something; it is just arrogance.

References

World of Quotes. (2011). Retrieved July 14, 2011, from World of Quotes Web site: http://www.worldofquotes.com/topic/Culture/1/index.html

Parenting woes and the happy medium

Hello readers,

I spent all day looking through magazines and newspapers. I know what you are thinking, who spends all day looking through papers?

Well, you do not have to wonder anymore, I can answer that question. I have a toddler at home and we use newspapers and magazines for at home projects. Speaking of toddlers and newspapers reminds me of the feature story I created in my Media Writing Communications course.

The feature was about new and old parenting styles. I was determined to prove there is not a right or wrong way to parent. Grandma’s style and new generation mothers can find a happy medium by learning from each other.

I urge you to keep reading and explore my feature story. Enjoy!   

Noelle

(For the purpose of the blog, I condensed the format of my News Release)

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Nov. 15, 2010                                                                                            Noelle Last Name

                       Chief Executive Officer of Happy Moms Inc.

                       (202) 555-5555

                       Noellelastn@aol.com

Out, in, and back again parenting, a happy medium does exist

These days, the pressure is on to be a perfect parent. New moms are challenged everyday on the “right and wrongs” of parenting. There’s nothing new about grandmothers butting in and questioning the parenting style of their children. It seems like the older generation can’t grasp the new approach to parenting. With new discoveries in technology and research, the newer generation is equipped with so many more advances these days.

Grandma’s way of parenting is becoming old news. “Out with the old and in with the new” is what moms everywhere are shouting. Grandmothers are screaming to the rooftops, “our way is the best way.” With the tug of war over which way of parenting is the right way or wrong way, can we co-exist?

So listen up both old and new moms; you are all forgetting one thing…Motherhood. Motherhood should be a special bond shared between those who hold the title, mom.  Instead, most relationships end up being a tug of war of who is right and who is wrong when it comes to parenting. When will the tug of war end?At one point, we all held the title “new mom.” With every new mom there was another mom telling her what she felt was the right and wrong way to parent. I am here to tell you, from one mom to another, we need each other. 

We can all learn the old ways, embrace the new, and vice versa. When you think about it, it all comes down to the fact that we all love our children. Our love for our children is the reason we are hard on analyzing the parenting style of other mothers.  

Life is too short to live with anger. My mother always told me to listen to the advice of others and then do what I felt was best. You never know what you are missing out on if you don’t listen. So let’s listen and embrace each other as mothers. The cycle of what is old, new, and back again will always repeat because the motherhood club will always exist.

###

Life is what YOU make it

Hello Friends,

This is the first post exemplifying the start of my journey as a Communication's Major at Ashford University. The Rose Beyond the Wall was my final paper assignment for my Adult Development class. When you read this brief excerpt from my paper, I encourage you to reflect on your own life. Are you living life to the fullest? When life knocks you down, do you get back up?

      

If you answered “no” to any of these questions, it is never too late to make a change. Find your motivation for life and let it lead you to possibilities beyond your imagination.

Until next time,

 Noelle     

The Rose Beyond the Wall

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightening about shrinking, so that people won’t feel insecure around you. As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
-Coach Carter, 2005 (Marianne Williamson)

Many people in this world have potential, but fear prohibits them from taking action. Sometimes we act on our determination and a door closes in our face. When this happens, we tend to give up before seeking an open window. However, I have what it takes to succeed. I have what it takes to find a window, a door, or a hole in the wall.

Sometimes the burden of life can be more than I can tolerate. Sometimes it leaves me scared to get up again. However, if I do not overcome my fears, I show those around me that it is acceptable to be hurt and afraid. As human beings, we need a reminder of the strength of self-motivation. A little self-motivation is all you need for everything to fall into place.

       

Resembling the soft part of a rose, I am its petals. The plain wall is my simple reminder that the world does not care for you because life is what YOU make it. Since the world is the wall and I am the rose, as my previous professor said, “I will stand out so that I may be out-standing.”

I will lend this twisted world my beauty. I will not fold or bend for this world; instead, I will bloom looking beyond it. I am determined to build a bridge where there are gaps and sever all walls resting in my way. I am the Rose Beyond the Wall.

New Media Technology

Fluent Authentic seekers,

Today’s trending topic is media technology.

Technology mimics the weather, always changing. A current must have item can be phased out for the newest and latest version in the blink of an eye. If you are one of those people hindered by new technology, this post is for you. If you thrive in mastering the newest “it” item, this post is for you too. Whether you are a technology connoisseur or just curious, this post on new media technology has a little something for everyone.

1.      Movie viewing media        

 

When I was a child, we watched movies on videocassette, but these days options are endless. A movie is viewable via DVD, cell phone, and streamed straight from the Internet. An option for streaming movies at home is possible with the use of a Blu-ray player. Blu-ray is one of the newest ways to get the best out of a home theater system and a high definition television.

The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) developed Blu-ray technology. Blu-ray.com states, “BDA is a group of leading consumer electronics, personal computer, and media manufacturers, with more than 180 member companies from all over the world” (Blu-ray.com, 2011). The members of this group “consist of companies such as Apple Computer, Inc., Dell Inc., Sony Corporation, and Walt Disney Pictures” (Blu-ray.com, 2011). These companies work hard to beat the competition.

DVDs and CDs are a great example of Blu-ray competitors.  DVDs and CDs use red light to read disc data. However, according to Blu-raydisc.com (2011), Blu-ray uses a blue laser beam to read the data on the disc. The blue beam of light is how Blu-ray got its name. Blu-ray discs provide maximum picture resolution, large storage space, and strong resistance to scratches and regular wear and tear.  Blu-ray supports the newest 1080p resolution for all new HDTVs providing maximum clear picture quality. In addition, the high quality technology Blu-ray provides allows easy streaming for new online movie viewing technology such as Netflix.  Blu-ray is definitely an upgrade in the right direction for movie viewing media.

If this did not whet your appetite for new technology, let us look at the extraordinary invention of the television.

2.      New television media 

The television has come a long way. The heavy floor televisions are nonexistent. These days it is all about the slim high definition picture quality. Televisions have become a resource for gaming, Internet browsing, and 3-D touch screen experience. Televisions are the next best thing to getting the movie theater experience at home.

Home theater experience requires a few tools. These tools are available at many local stores. If you walk the aisles of Wal-Mart, Target, and Best Buy, you will see an enormous supply of flat screen televisions, HDMI cables, home theater systems, and wall mounts. Flat screen televisions went from plasma, to LCD, to LED, and now 3-D touch screen. The invention of the 3-D touch screen introduced the smart television.

The smart television gives the user access to the Internet, access to applications similar to the applications on cell phones, and music streaming. The smart television is a new way to experience computer and television entertainment on one large screen. The different television sizes range from nineteen inches to over forty inches of pure viewing pleasure. Television technology is upgrading at a fast pace.

The fast rate for new television technology has challenged broadcasters to upgrade television signals. The new digital television (DTV) signal phased out the old analog television signal in 2009. The new DTV signal provides high picture quality and better sound. The DTV signal was the first steps to improving sound and picture quality. High definition (HDTV) is another alternative for picture and sound perfection. 

Since we are talking about picture perfection, maybe we should talk about digital cameras.

      

3.      Digital cameras

Digital cameras have LCD screens, color displays, smart media cards, and video capability. Digital cameras have improved the art of photography and have taken art to the next level. Anyone who uses a camera has the option of uploading the pictures on their computers or printing them with an at home printer. Stores are also selling cameras with compatible printers for easy printing. The days of going to the photo area in CVS or Walgreens are no longer mandatory.

If you prefer a store photo technician to print photos, there are an array of printing options. Digital photography has given us the opportunity of printing our pictures on mugs, calendars, t-shirts, quilts, etc. There are many creative options for the new school photographer or everyday camera user. In addition to all of these options are choice of color, size, and zoom capability.

Digital cameras come in many shades of blue, red, green, hot pinks, and bright orange. If these colors do not suit your fancy, there are multi colored cameras, cameras with you choose a color, the size of the camera may play an important role in your purchase. Big or small, pocket size or sleek, digital cameras are perfect for capturing your special moments.

If I have not grabbed your full attention, maybe this last example will do the job.

4.      Smart phones

The smart phone has the ability to record videos and take pictures. Smart phones have integrated applications for social media, games, movies, magazines, music, translators, and much more. Smart phones can be used to view bank accounts, make purchases, and for Internet browsing. Smart phones are the perfect tools for organizing pdf files and creating documents before attaching the document to an email. Smart phones have made navigating a phone simpler with the use of touch screen.

The touch screen helps the user enter information into the phone without hearing the sound of clicking buttons. Digital voice software is another discrete option for entering information into a smart phone. Digital voice software is programmable to dial numbers, locate certain menus or applications, and create text messages. However, text messages are not the only form of messages viewable on the smart phone.

Email messages are another type of message viewable on smart phones. Users have the option to link many email accounts to their phones. Smart phones instantly notify users of new email messages as they post in the email mailbox. Smart phones are getting smarter, smaller, thinner, and more efficient.

These forms of new media technology are taking the world by storm and the world of technology is always changing. Today’s “it” factor can be tomorrows old news. Therefore, I urge you to do your own research and discover the magnificent inventions the technology world has to offer. 

I hope you have enjoyed today’s post. See you next time.

 Noelle

References

Blu-ray Disc Association. (2011). Retrieved July 11, 2011, from Blu-ray Disc Association Website: http://us.blu-raydisc.com/faqs.html

Blu-ray.com. (2011). Retrieved July 11, 2011, from Blu-ray.com Website: http://www.blu-ray.com/faq/#bluray_developers

Welcome

Welcome Fluent Authentic Seekers

This blog is a place where truth and creativity effortlessly flow. The purpose of this blog is to journey through different writing and communication styles in an effort of obtaining my bachelors degree in Communications. I encourage you to sit back, relax, and let the words flow from the page to your mind. Enjoy!

Fluently and authentically yours,

Noelle

Creator/Contributor of Fluent Authenticity Blog Spot