Academic Projects
Managing Writers & iFixit Content Creation
Jan – Mar 2025
For my project during ENG 534, Technical Documentation, I managed a group of writers performing SEO and copyediting and created a repair guide for iFixit.
My final project report comprised a series of blog entries detailing what I learned, hosted on a website I designed. Check out the website linked below to view my final project:
Aug – Oct 2024
Personas for Curriculum Development
For my project during ENG 561, Rhetoric, Writing, and Digital Media Studies, I explored personas and how they might aid curriculum developers in creating content that appeals to diverse audiences. I also provided feedback to other students during peer reviews.
The project culminated in a series of blog entries and a presentation video. The website linked below was the final project for this class:
Along the way, I also created this flyer discussing how cultural divides influence technical communicators, and this storyboard discussing the role social media might play in writing classrooms.
Bukatsudo: To Improve Japanese ESL Students' English Writing
Oct – Dec 2024
For ENG 526, Advanced Professional Writing, I completed a research paper.
This paper discusses the unique challenges of Japanese ESL writers studying in Western universities, and it offers the solution of structuring writing centers based on the frameworks of bukatsudo—Japanese extracurricular clubs that teach mastery of specific disciplines. After a brief introduction, the paper identifies the challenges faced by Japanese ESL students and articulates how bukatsudo acts as a solution. It then explores the cultural identity of Japanese students compared to Western students and discusses Japanese writing styles. The paper also explores studies discussing L1 and L2 transfer among Japanese ESL writers and briefly discusses evolving pedagogies in Japan before offering a conclusion and recommending additional research.
Workplace Grammar: Adequate, Sufficient, & Enough
Jun – Jul 2024
During ENG 532, Workplace Grammar, I developed a presentation exploring the usage of interchangeable terms.
This presentation includes audio and explores the proper usage of the often-interchanged terms cited above. The presentation is self-paced, requiring the viewer to advance each successive slide. The audio for a slide plays automatically when that slide is displayed, and the user has the option to replay the audio.
Content Strategy for a Nonprofit
Aug – Oct 2024
During ENG 555, Content Strategy, I created a style guide, developed a content strategy, and generated sample content for an organization. My chosen organization was the ASPCA.
I am currently waiting for permission from the ASPCA to share content from this project as part of my portfolio. In the meantime, I can present it privately if requested.
Information Analysis and Document Design
Jan – Mar 2024
During ENG 549, Information Design and Usability Testing, I explored different methods of structuring information.
The final project for this course comprised a website design concept. The design is presented as a PDF with a hyperlinked menu at the top of each page which simulates website navigation.
Other content generated during this class includes:
Professional Editing Samples
Oct – Dec 2023
During ENG 517, Professional Editing, I practiced performing copyedits and substantive rewrites.
For this course, my assignments included:
Mar – Apr 2025
Exploration of American Standard English in Composition Classrooms
For my final project during ENG 562, Rhetoric and Composition Studies, I considered the debate over American Standard English and its place in English Composition classrooms.
I explored whether American Standard English (ASE) supports or harms students. Some scholars consider ASE to be an extension of racism, while others view it as a tool to achieve success and equality. After exploring both arguments, I present the conclusion that a pedagogy built on a foundation of General English, which teaches students ASE while valuing the diverse frameworks of the English language, is the best way to support the future success of students.
The paper and presentation are presented using a Japanese inductive style combined with Greek Dissoi logoi to demonstrate alternative rhetorical styles.
Technical Content Samples
Sep – Oct 2023
During ENG 502, Advanced Technical Writing, I responded to various case studies by creating various documents, including:
Bachelor of Arts in English Capstone
Oct 2017 – Jan 2018
Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts Capstone
Jan – Feb 2018
My capstone paper and audio presentation focused on education technology and the digital aptitude divide, and explored how technology allows for individually tailored content that can lessen that divide.
The paper does not address the role that artificial intelligence (AI) might play in achieving the proposed solution as it was researched and written before AI entered mainstream discourse.
This capstone paper explores good and evil through different ethical frameworks comprising a series of short stories. The short stories are presented in "Chapter 4: Results" within the linked paper.
The project also included the creation of a presentation with audio narration. The slides and audio advance automatically once the viewer enters presentation mode.