Chapter 4, 5, 16 and 23 readings

Chapter 4's main objective is creating communication that is beneficial to the reader. The book describes that there are 3 main points to make your communication usable. The communication is complete, task oriented and accessible. Figure 4.4 is helpful in setting up an outline for a proposal which is also helpful for our next assignment.
Chapter 5 was easy to relate to because it reinforces most of the other writing I have done and why that writing was useful to me. It was hard for me to understand how doing a 15 page research paper and being stressed to the max would ever benefit me. Now, I can see. Although technical writing is a different type of writing, with different audiences, it still requires credible thought and analysis. Chapter five discusses how to reason soundly. This is extremely important, which is why we were taught how to research valuable evidence to support claims in previous papers. When you are persuading the reader you want them to know how your solution or form of action will benefit them personally and you also want them to know that your conclusions are based on actual facts rather then "what your opinion on solving the matter is." I like the statement the book uses.... "you must not only use sound reasoning, but also convince your readers that your reasoning is sound." If you can prove this then your writing should make sense vs. being flawed. There would be nothing worse then to pitch an idea and be called out that your facts making no sense.
Another important piece in chapter 5 is listening. Whether in a group setting or business setting listening is so imperative. Without listening how do you know what your readers are wanting from you? Listening can be a very valuable tool. For example, when wondering about what your readers are expecting, you can talk to people. People who know your readers or even the readers themselves. By listening you will be able to collect usable information.