English Communication Skills

Academic Research Presentations

Reflective Journal

You may write or create a vlog.

1st Entry

1) Indicate 2 or 3 problems you have that make reading research articles difficult for you. For EACH
problem Explain (thoroughly) why/how this issue is a problem for you. Explain why addressing
each problem will improve your reading skills. From your list identify which problem is currently
MOST important for you to address. Use the ideas of Meaningfullness & Practicality to EXPLAIN
why this 1 problem you identified is the most important for you.

(what to include)
- identify 2 (or 3) problems
- for each issue explain the difficulty you have and the problem that is created
o describe why the problem exist / why you have the problem
o describe how the problem is negatively impacting your reading
OR
o state how your reading will improve if address problem/difficulty
- from list identify the issue you PLAN to address, and why this is your best Meaningful &
Practical choice
often this means the Biggest problem; though sometimes the biggest problem is not practical
and starting with a smaller more manageable problem makes sense – Explain your choice

NB when asked to explain remember to EXPLAIN fully.

- for example don’t just indicate because you don’t know how, explain specifically what you
don’t know how to do the job and why (if possible) you don’t know how to do it
- for example do not just say because addressing it will make my reading better, but explain
SPECIFICALLY how your reading of research articles will improve when you are aware of
the problem.
(if it helps with providing a context remember the 2 communication jobs every author must
succeed at)

2) Present your intended plan of how you will address your most important issue you identified in the
previous item. Provide the essential details to demonstrate your plan is Meaningful and Practical.
(what to consider including)

Plan
- what you will do
o do these actually address problem? ONLY address this problem?
o will they improve problem? (be able to explain how, if questionable)
o has enough detail been provided?
o are these reasonable? (time commitments; availability of other people; resource
availability)
- schedule
o details of when, where & how long
o schedule of contingency times (i.e. Plan B’s)
o is your schedule reasonable (based on time commitments; vs. other commitments)
o schedule for monitoring

- monitoring
o how is it done (what done, who is involved)
 is it effective to show doing correctly (highlight inappropriate approach)
o what is done if shows your performance is not appropriate
o scheduling is reasonable (for schedule commitments, motivation etc.)
 who is involved (have they agreed?)
 delay between when perform and when evaluate how you did

- motivation
o present? (what done, who is involved? have they agreed to participate? what is their
understanding)
o effective
 effective at inspiring you to adhere to the plan? effectively enforced?