Professional and Technical Communication to Funeral Guide - Term Paper Example

Critical Analysis Name of the student Name of the Institution Date of submission Table of Contents Critical Analysis 1 Table of Contents 2 Abstract 2 1.0 Introduction 3 2.0 Document Overview 4 3.0 Critical Analysis 4 3.2 Macro – Issues 5 3.3 Micro issues 7 4.0 Conclusion 8 5.0 Recommendation 8 Abstract This report analyses a guide to funeral guide which is a hand book that gives details information concerning funeral arrangement when their loved ones passed away. The paper is arranged in four sections. The first section focuses on meta-issues, meaning of those issues that can directly or indirectly impact on the document or on readers. Second section discusses macro issues meaning of those issues that are genre-dependent including use of language, structure and general design and format used. The third section examines micro issues which include grammar used in the document, punctuation and other finer technical and professional issues. The paper widens up with conclusion and recommendations on the paper. 1.0 Introduction A guide to funeral guide is a hand book gives details information concerning funeral arrangement when their loved ones passed away. Most people lack experience on how to organize funeral arrangements when faced with a challenge in their live times. In order to solve this problem, funeral directors can offer very necessary support when it comes to organizing funeral arrangements. They will help in providing a range of services, which allow individuals to choose whether the funereal of their loved ones will be conducted professionally and with dignity or not. Australian funeral directors association currently offers publication of several articles including brochures for the bereaved. It is an Australian based Company which offer funeral services and advise to individuals. In order to critically analyses and assess this document, this report refers to various texts which include various writing styles, manuals and technical guidelines in this writing. The existing document is further compared with models from other reliable sources such as those produced by funeral arrangement specialists (Anderson 2011). However, due to limited time and other constraints, this report does not include other possible legal issues surrounding funeral arrangements, budget constraints involve in the production of the document. The report analysis is organized into three main sections based on Trigg Jeromson & Markwick’s (2004) concepts which include met, macros and micro analysis. The first section focuses on meta-issues, meaning of those issues that can directly or indirectly impact on the document or on readers. Second section discusses macro issues meaning of those issues that are genre-dependent including use of language, structure and general design and format used. The third section examines micro issues which include grammar used in the document, punctuation and other finer technical and professional issues. The paper widens up with conclusion and recommendations on the paper. 2.0 Document Overview The main audience of this document is everyone bereaved and general public is giving information concerning the funeral industry while maintaining professionalism in it. The association assists members with training and professional development through collaborating with more credible and registered training organization across Australia. The document covers both Christians and Muslims and Anderson (2011) states the entire funeral process is the duty and responsibility of every local Muslim community. The AFDA gives code of ethics which should be followed by individuals practicing in this industry (Larson & Gray 2011). AFDA serves as a point of reference on outsourcing funeral services giving history of the group and some of the expectation when someone passed on. 3.0 Critical Analysis The following analysis critically examines the guide to funeral services of AFD on three deferent levels, which includes Meta, macro and micro. 3.1 Meta Issues These are an issue that goes beyond the body of the text itself. Meta issues of the document involve establishing underlying issues or intentions which can be directly or indirectly shaped by the social and cultural concerns. Meta issues in the AFDA include code of ethics, training methods and complain resolution. 3.1.1 Code of ethics Codes of ethics are rules and regulation which are expected of people who are working in the industry. One of the codes of ethics is to maintain in matters the highest standard of business, professional and personal conduct. This particular code of ethics is quite general and is not precise. Lannon (1997) states that codes of ethics should be precise to the point, they should be distinct and unique to given profession. The document requires that in all circumstances, members to keep confidentiality and trust should be kept (Blum, 2013). This is somehow open and leave room may be after someone has left the profession, they can now talk of the secrets. The word throughout should be inserted in the document to ensure authenticity and continuity. The word “to give written estimate” is not specific whether the written estimates are handwritten or typed and printed. In most cases, it should be replaced by the word invoice the client as per the agreement. Invoice is more legal and professional in terms of its use and request for payment. 3.1.2 Training The document only states that they are committed to promoting professional standards through training, without indicating qualification to join training of the courses which are being offered. However, the document clearly stated the courses which are being offered and only at certificate level. It should explain the duration of courses and target group in case there are individuals who intends to pursue the same courses. 3.1.2 Complain resolution Complain resolutions are means of attending to customers in circumstances there are conflict. Title should have been means of attending to customers, or customer service center. It is more inclusive as not always customers do bring complains but also appreciation. However, it is important to form customer complain center as it will help in improving customer service delivery to customers (Han & Lopp 2013). 3.2 Macro – Issues Macro issues are those issues that are genre dependent, that is they only relates to specific document under consideration and to those similar genre or type (Han & Lopp 2013). 3.2.1 Structure There is general problem on the arrangements of the topic on the document. Under normal circumstances, any document which gives information on the organization starts with the name or title of the organization; this is followed by the mission statement and objectives. In contrary, this articles starts very well with the tittles which might be mistaken has the mission statement of the document. There is no mission statement, no objectives but rather, we move direct to sub-function not even the core function of the group explaining training services which are being done in collaboration with other institutions, then direct to code of ethics without giving preview of the industry or organization background. 3.2.2 Physical Appearance The text physical appearance is very important since it aids in attracting people’s attention, whilst also giving document professional look which reflects positive creativity on its creator. It should be noted that physical appearance of a piece of work can help the target audience read efficiently, majoring on the important content of the main points one wishes to pass through. The first factor to be considered in physical appearance is the size of the documents. The document should be kept small and legible. The article is small since it is only two pages. Secondly, color is very important as it can increase visual appeal and presentation by making it more interesting to look. This is one area which the document has failed to give outside appeal to readers. This is like advertisement brochure which the designer ought to have used different color appeal that can help in portraying the intended message. However, the font sizes is well framed and are readable, the document is small yet captures almost all the information the presenter wanted to portray. Graphics is capable of increasing clarity and impact of your written communication (Literary 2007). This is presented only in cover page of the document with someone trying to comfort a bereaved person (Koda-Kimble 2012).  Actually this alone can help someone to understand what is inside the document without getting dipper into the document. Though not very much helpful; the use of company logo on the title page would improve the visual appeal something which is only in cover page of the document. 3.2.3 Language In determining the effectiveness of any particular document, language is very important. According to Lannon (1997) the text of brochure or information document should be simple enough for people with various reading skills to be able to understand. However, some words like collation, insertion might prove difficult for an average person to understand. The language should be kept at basic as possible. Meanwhile, the rest of documents are kept at average level and the general work organization is average giving it the necessary appeal which is required of information of that kind. In circumstances where difficult words are used, it is essential that the writer begins with the definition of the term before giving going further to explain the term. 3.3 Micro issues Micro-issues are issues such as grammar, spelling and punctuation, which apply to all documents, regardless of genre. 3.3.1 Grammar Grammar is one aspect of communication that can never be overlooked, for ‘credibility can be damaged by basic errors’. One place where such error occurs is “all members must abide by a strict code of ethics and practice.” The use of article “a” is misplaced as it should be removed from the statement. The writer has kept the sentence brief and to the point assisting in eliminating unnecessary grammar error in the document. 3.3.2 Punctuation Punctuation marks play a vital role in communication: they make meaning clear by showing readers the relationship between the various components of a written work.’ There are many sentences within AFDA which are missing commas and full stops. It causes run of sentences that lacks clarity and should be avoided by all means in such professional work. Generally the work is above standard and there are no major punctuation errors throughout the document. 3.3.3 Spelling errors There are minor spelling errors in the document like instead of collection, the author has written collation of certificate. Otherwise with short sentences throughout the document, spelling errors are few if any. 4.0 Conclusion Overall, AFDA document meets basic demands of the brochure; it does not achieve maximum usability. Its effectiveness in communicating the services offered by the organization and professional expectation is above the board. There is need to work on the structure, arranging the overall work in order of the document importance is very important. In summary, even if the document has met its basic purpose of informing the public concerning the services offered in organizing the burial, the document can be improved further to meet professional standards, free from error and punctuation mistakes. 5.0 Recommendation Revise the arrangement of major themes in the document Reconsider content and choice in language to avoid developing a patronizing ton Do away with unnecessary capitalization Add more visualized parts of the document Bibliography Anderson, PV 2011, Technical communication: a reader-centered approach, 7th edn, Wadsworth, Boston. Blum, R. A. 2013 Television and screen writing: from concept to contract. CRC Press. Han, H., & Lopp, L. 2013 Writing and reading in the electronic health record: an entirely new world. Medical education online, 18. Koda-Kimble, M. A. 2012  Koda-Kimble and Young's applied therapeutics: the clinical use of drugs. B. K. Alldredge, R. L. Corelli, & M. E. Ernst (Eds.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Lannon, JM 1997, Technical writing, 7th edn, Longman, USA Larson, E. W., & Gray, C. F. 2011 Project management: The managerial process. Literary Technologies 2007, What to include and what to leave out, viewed 8 August 2013, . Read More