My thoughts on Procedural Rhetoric Project

I really enjoyed the presentations from the procedural rhetoric project. Before this project, I never really understood how hard it was to give simple instructions effectively. The fact was that it may make complete sense in your head, but baffle your audience. I was at a complete lose on how to project simple instructions to people who have never changed their oil, while I have done it multiple times. There needs to be such detail and clarity when explaining the instructions that the tiniest detail, if not told, could have a negative impact down the road. I learned to simplify instructions, not to leave out crucial but small details, and to always try to see the point from the audience. Because I did this project, I have become more aware of poor instructions and find myself critiquing the instructions and thinking how I would change them. I’ve come to the realization that if I am frustrated with the instructions, that does not mean I am to blame. It is the instructions that did not effectively tell me how to do something.

I really enjoyed Maria’s and Matti’s presentation. It was a coincidence that I was having a lot of trouble picking my classes for next semester and their instructions really helped me. Since MYNIU has changed, I feel a lot of people are confused and lost on how to navigate it, so their instructions were very helpful to me. I found “essential knowledge” presentations like Jacob’s CPR and Alec’s groups project on how to change tires to be very useful and gave me important insight on how to preform those essential tasks.