Reflective Post #2: Research and the Writing Process

As I began my third week at my internship site, I am excited to continue assisting the curriculum development team in drafting new courses. During the past few days, I have been reading over material covering background information on the topic of an upcoming course. My supervisor, as well as other White Collar Crime Center staff, is in the beginning processes of creating the new course. I have been assigned to helping one of the staff members research the course topic and construct a rough outline of the material. Through reviewing the background information, I have come to realize the importance of researching content and searching for correct and accurate information prior to drafting documents. I now recognize that the responsibilities of professional writers are not limited to creating grammatically correct documents, but also include providing truthful information to readers. As a professional organization, the National White Collar Crime Center earns the trust of the individuals who use their courses and reference their information by continuing to strive for accuracy in the documents and course materials that they produce.

I feel that my experiences researching the course content have helped me to see that each part of the writing process is as important as the next. In order to create a successful document, thorough research must be completed before drafting begins, just as proofreading and revising must occur after the draft is finished. Although all of the information obtained through research may not appear in the final document, this information aids the writer in obtaining an understanding of the topic which serves as a basis for the writing process to commence.

I am glad that my supervisor has asked me to review the background information for the course because I feel that I am less familiar with the topic then other staff members. I hope that my research will help me to gain a deeper understanding of the material and therefore help me to become more able to contribute to the creation of the course. Though the research has helped me to feel more comfortable with the material, I believe that I will continue to learn more through interacting with the staff and hearing their input on the topic. Since these individuals have had a greater knowledge of white collar crime, I am excited to learn more from them about the topic and how the courses are focused in crime detection and prevention.
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