Spring 2014

Project 2

WR 227 – Spring 2014

Due: Thursday, April 24 (complete rough draft)

Thursday, May 1 (revised final draft)

Goals:

· to demonstrate elements of effective page design and organization

· to write clearly for audience and purpose

· to demonstrate concise and effective sentences

Assignment:

Revise the attached document to improve its usability for its audience and purpose. You should assume the audience will read the document once when they first receive it; then they will keep it available for quick reference. As with Project 1, you should revise sentences and content; however, you should also make significant changes to the document’s design. These design changes should improve the document’s usability.

Audience:

Veterinary assistants. You should assume your audience knows how to perform the listed procedures (taking the pet’s heart rate, for example).

Grading Criteria:

An excellent assignment will:

· Use language and tone appropriate for the audience and purpose

· Apply these elements of effective page design, as discussed in class:

a. White space / chunking

b. Headings (including logical hierarchy)

c. Font and typefaces

d. Lists

· Consistently demonstrate these elements of concise, effective sentences:

speak directly to your readers

use pronouns

use action verbs when possible

use the simplest form of a verb

omit unnecessary words

Resources:

Look under links on our course Web page for Readings 4, 5, and 6.

This document is to let you know how to check-in small animals that visit our clinic. Please feel free to keep these guidelines at the check-in desk if necessary. We’ll begin with general instructions. First, when an owner brings in any small animal pet, the pet’s file must be pulled or a new file created if it is a first-time patient. The files will be under the registered owner’s last name and the pet’s first name. Red folder tags are for dogs, green are for cats, and purple are for exotics. Next, the owner should fill out a yellow appointment form which gives the reason for the visit and has a place for any changes to the pet’s health since the last visit. The form should be filled out completely.

Now you are ready to take the animal. We’ll start with dogs. If the dog is not on a leash, put one of our leashes on it. Dogs go to exam room one, two, or three, and the following measurements need to be taken and recorded on the appointment form: heart rate, weight, abdomen check (for lumps or pain), eye and ear check, skin check (for fleas, ticks, or rashes). Ask the owner if the dog is up-to-date on heart worm pills, and note the answer on the form. Ask the owner if he or she has any particular questions, and answer them if you feel comfortable doing so. Otherwise, make note of the questions the owner has on the yellow appointment form.

For cats, either let the owner carry the cat or offer a leash (if necessary). Cats go to exam room four, five, or six. If any doors to the dog rooms are open, be careful! The animals should not interact. Once in the room, take the following measurements: heart rate, weight, abdomen check, and eye and ear check. Also check to see if the cat is cleaning itself properly. On a long-haired cat, check the fur for mats or bald spots; on a short-haired cat check for dirt, fleas, or abrasions. Ask the owner if the cat needs a Feline HIV or Feline Leukemia test, and make note of the answer on the appointment form. Ask the owner if he or she has any particular questions, and answer them if you feel comfortable doing so. Otherwise, make note of the questions the owner has on the yellow appointment form.

Any wild or exotic animals go to room seven only. Owners can hold tame animals, but wild animals must be placed in the carry box provided. Ask the owner if he or she has any particular, and answer them if you feel comfortable doing so. The preliminary exam will be handled by the veterinarian on duty.