DISCUSSION QUESTION: PB&J Challenge

Now that you’ve watched the PB&J Challenge (Exact Instructions) video, I’d like you to discuss it with each other. In your discussion consider the following (but you can bring up other points you see as relevant too):

1. What challenges does this video highlight about precision of language and communication?

2. How do you see this video relating to your Technical Description assignment?

3. Did this video change the way you view technical communication? Why or why not?

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The video “Exact Instructions Challenge” is about doing as the instructions are told to make a PB&J sandwich. Throughout the video they highlight the importance about precision of language and communication. The correct words to convey the exact thought the speaker intends to communicate. In other works, by using precise language the speaker can communicate the acted thoughts and not something that is close to the thought. Technical writing or description is when the writer writes instructions, directions or explanation to do something. That is exactly what was happening in that video. The kids were writing instructions on how to make a PB&J sandwich. Them failing to provide detailed instructions proved how important it is to be precise in technical descriptions. If you as the writer miss the slightest description on the steps the whole project can change. For example in the video the failure to say which way to stick the knife inside the peanut butter jar just changed the whole ways of spreading peanut butter on the bread. The video did not change the way I viewed technical communication, however it did improve my viewing. In other words, I knew technical writing needed to be very specific on what the readers have to do, however after seeing that missing the tinniest detail can change the whole thing made me better realize the importance of it.