All of this talk about reader-centric, writer-centric, and writing to a lay audience has been really helpful. Not that I understand in great depth the rhetoric behind it all, but the surface information that makes the most sense to me is pretty solid information.

At first, I did not think that most of it would apply to what I am doing, but as it turns out, as I continue to add the finishing details, I am including more and more tactics. I feel comfortable with the information I have researched and I am pleased with my product so far. The hardest part to write thus far has been the introduction, so that is constantly being revised and critiqued.

Throughout this process I find myself in the awkward position of not being anything of a true expert on the matter, and that fact that I am an undergraduate student, and not say a master's student, I think is kind of a snag in the credibility issue. I only say this because I don't have that "real world" experience and I'm trying really hard to find that level ground so that my paper comes across as resourceful tool for them and that it was created for the intended purpose of assisting in making the process easier. I think I have achieved that in a lot of aspects, but I know there are few places throughout that need some re-editing.

In all honesty, I am so excited that I took this class. I see the potential of this document and how it could later benefit me, and the experience has been outstanding. I almost considered dropping the course in the beginning because I wasn't sure if technical writing was my thing, or even something that interested me, but I am so glad I didn't make such a foolish decision. At any rate it has improved my writing skills and I have learned a great deal of information that I know will be useful. It also got me interested in technical and business writing and I wouldn't mind exploring it a bit further.

Progress Report #2

Date: 11/09/2006
To: Dr. Homlevick
From: Katie Goergen

Introduction
I am writing two references guides for the Anderson Family Connection. These two manuals will cover what a grant proposal is and how to locate potential grants, as well as address the process of grant writing itself. Both of these manuals are made for the same audience.

Work Completed
At this point I have completed my expert paper. The research and information is finished, and I have all of the information I will need. I have finished this paper early so that I can go back and proof read and change any errors within the document.

I have started my lay paper at this time. Again, I have all the research I will require to complete this portion, now it is a matter of typing it into the document. By the start of next week this portion will also be completed.

Next Steps
Upon finishing typing the lay paper, I will then need to complete the attachments and create the index page. The next steps will be organizing both of the papers into one complete document. I am confident that it will be completed ahead of schedule, but I am still determining which program to use in creating the document in the essence of time and my own availability to certain software.

Conclusion
This is a relativley short progress report, but I have a good handle on the project and it is coming together nicely. I am very confident that this project will be completed fully at the end of this month. This will allow me to once again look over my project and make any last adjustments and/or corrections.